ASM president's message: Staying put, moving forward

For more than 60 years, ASM's home was within the Boston office suite of Corwin & Corwin, the law firm that has served as ASM counsel since the association was founded in 1950. When the firm decided this spring to move to the suburbs for the convenience of clients, ASM decided to stay in Boston where we would be close to Beacon Hill and better able to continue our legislative advocacy, which is at the core of our mission. In June we moved into our new offices at 31 State St. in the heart of Boston's historic district, overlooking the Old State House, where so much history has taken place (which staff continues to hear about every day, as Park Service interpreters recount the events of 1775 at full volume right under their windows!). Even as we strike out on our own, however, Corwin & Corwin continues to serve as counsel, using today's great technologies to stay connected. It was a short move - just 100 steps - but represents a major step forward as we look to our future and strengthen our leadership role for the subcontracting industry on legislative, legal and business issues. Our move comes at a good time, as the industry itself is roaring back to life - in Boston, at least. With the pick-up in business, comes a pick-up in "issues" that need to be addressed. In our new home, we are in a good position to take action with legislators, administration officials, the attorney general or other public officials as appropriate - whether the issues involve public bidding, health care mandates, lien law, licensing laws - or our two priority issues, retainage and indemnification. As I write this, we are preparing for a major public hearing on bills ASM filed this year to bring relief from burdensome retainage practices and from onerous indemnification requirements in construction contracts. Our work on these issues is just beginning, but we are committed to doing all we can to achieve progress on both issues in this legislative session. From our offices at 31 State St., there is no better place to make history happen. If you are in the neighborhood, drop in and say hello. And if you are not a member - pick up an application and join! As ASM and the industry move forward, there's no better time to get involved. David Cannistraro is president of the Associated Subcontractors of Mass., Boston.