Annual Mtgs.

Richard Canuel, President of the NH Building Officials Association explains how they are responding to the demands of code administration and legislation.

The ICC Building Safety Association of Vermont (BSA-VT) closed its first fiscal year with another first – the Annual Meeting.  With the Lake Morey Resort providing an excellent facility, breakfast and lunch, the day could not have been better.   Rob Pickett, 2008-2009 BSA-VT President opened the meeting with introductions and the year in review.  Ward Smyth, Treasurer/Secretary, took the opportunity to hand out BSA-VT Membership Certificates to each member in attendance.  During this portion of the meeting, Stan Borkowski and Lois Tweedy served as the voting administrators, tallying the results of the election of BSA-VT’s Board of Directors and Officers for 2009-2010.  While we will miss Jay Pilliod as a member of the Board, we are very happy to welcome Paul Duane and Sandra Vitzthum for the coming year!  The slate of officers saw only a change at Vice President, where Ryan Borkowski has taken over for Steve Leinoff, although Steve still serves as a Director.  With the election complete, Cindy Davis, the BSA-VT liaison to the ICC Board of Directors, swore in each of the new Directors and Officers!

With the business portion of the meeting completed, our guest speakers moved to the front table and took turns speaking about their roles in ICC and the impact of the codes and legislative actions on their immediate responsibilities.  With five unique perspectives to draw on, those in attendance had an opportunity to ask a broad range of questions, spurring some great discussion between the panel and audience.  Following lunch, Rick Weiland again spoke to the group.  He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to join the BSA-VT’s inaugural Annual Meeting and recognition of it attaining Chapter Status, inviting all to become more active in the ICC organization and processes.

Summary and Pictures from the First Annual Meeting, July 2009

(L-R) Ryan Borkowski, Ward Smyth, and Rob Pickett are presented with the ICC Professional Chapter plaque recognizing the Building Safety Association of Vermont by Rick Weiland, ICC CEO and Cindy Davis, ICC Director.

Dick Lambert (Region VI Northeast Region Coalition), Dottie Harris (ICC VP State and Local Government Relations) and Cindy Davis (CBO, IDD director) listen as Rob Pickett introduces the Panel Discussion portion of the meeting.

ICC CEO, Rick Weiland speaking about the organization of ICC, how it responds to legislative action, and the importance of our new Vermont chapter

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ICC Building Safety Association of Vermont

BSA-VT’s 2^nd Annual Event         

BSA-VT returned to the beautiful Lake Morey  Resort in Fairlee for their 2^nd  Annual Meeting. This year’s event saw a significant increase in attendance. No doubt, in part, due to the timely program of information relating to sustainable design, energy codes and green building standards, providing some of the most up-to-date information available.

The event kicked off with a brief business meeting. Rob Pickett (2009-2010 Chapter President) gave a review of just how far the organization has come.  He gave an overview of  the many successful training programs held and then focused on the programs now in development.

The business meeting continued with election of the coming year’s Board of Directors and Officers. Ward Smyth gave a brief review of finances and membership (both continuing to grow), concluding the business portion.

IgCC

Our Chapter was privileged again this year to have Dorothy Harris, Vice President of ICC State and Local Government Relations, attending. Dottie brings great energy and enthusiasm to assisting chapters with government relations.  Dottie expanded her role by presenting a detailed review of the new International Green Construction Code (IgCC version 1.0). Members in attendance  each received a

Summary and Pictures from the 2nd Annual Meeting, June 2010

Members check in for the BSA-VT 2nd Annual Meeting at Lake Morey Resort.

Keynote Speaker Jack Leyden, Rhode Island State Building Code Commissioner presenting.

Members listening to the educational program.

Dottie about to begin her presentation on the IgCC.

Stu Slote educates us on the VT Residential Building Energy Standards.

L-R: Wayne Cichon, Dick Lambert, Cindy Davis, and Mike Santa listen to a question from the audience on implementing new state energy codes.

Secretary/Treas. Ward Smyth presenting Rob Pickett a Certificate of Appreciation for his service as 1st President of BSA-VT.

BSA-VT Board of Directors for 2010-11:  From L. to R.: Alan Brown, Robert Howe, Glenn Moore, Sandy Vitzthum, Sect/Treas. Ward Smyth, President Ryan Borkowski, Rob Pickett, Chip LaPointe, Vice President Paul Duane.

copy from ICC of this newest publication.

Changes coming to the VT Energy Code

Stu Slote of Navigant Consulting  provided a preview of the energy code requirements we can soon expect to see. The presentation was in-depth, covering aspects of how these changes developed, as well as proposed revisions that will take VT beyond just the minimum in energy conservation.

Keynote Address

After lunch, everyone settled in to listen to a presentation by Jack Leyden. Besides being the Building Code Commissioner for the state of Rhode Island, he is Past President of Eastern States Building Officials Federation, and President of ICC Northeast Regional Coalition. Jack took time from his busy schedule to visit our chapter and make a presentation that focused on the importance of co-operation of those involved with the construction environment.  Utilizing his own experience, including vivid pictures of recent severe flooding in his home state, Jack was able to effectively deliver the message for the need to think in terms of partnership. Partnership among building officials, architects, builders, fire officials, police and rescue-the list is as exhaustive as the needs may be.

A Look at Implementing the 2009 I-Codes

Our program concluded with what is increasingly becoming a very popular feature: A panel discussion where we, as a Chapter, have the chance to ask the experts for their views on matters effecting codes and construction. This year’s panel consisted of the following: Cindy Davis (ICC Director and PA Building Official), Wayne Cichon (NY Building Official), Dick Lambert (Maine Building Official), and Mike Santa (NH Building Official).

With Rob Pickett moderating the discussion, the focus quickly centered on energy code changes and the practical impacts they are already having. While each state is working to include the new energy code requirements into their adopted codes, everyone expressed the challenges included. The collective refrain seemed to be; how do we effectively carry out these new requirements effectively and efficiently,  while struggling for the resources to enforce the requirements?

While no easy answer was forthcoming, at least VT could know that as a state they are not alone in this struggle.  As important as energy conservation and efficiency is, it is hoped that  this issue will continue to bring forth discussion.

Who knows? Eventually such discussion may lead to a broader understanding and support of the importance of effective inspections, proactive code enforcement, and code-compliant buildings!