After 18+ months of only virtual events, ASM was thrilled to host our Biennial Gala & Elections last month at Granite Links Country Club. It was a beautiful night under the Pavilion Tent, complete with scenic views of the Boston skyline, to celebrate our association and the members who are the heart of it. We could not have asked for a better night. We mingled among friends, made new ones, and welcomed our incoming president and Board of Directors. Jeffrey Marr, Jr. of Marr Scaffolding Company replaced outgoing president Peter Gormley of New England Waterproofing, Inc.

Massachusetts state senator Walter Timilty also attended the event to give remarks and issue a proclamation from the State Senate congratulating Marr on his election as ASM president and thanking Gormley for his service as most recent president. “The skilled trades men and women represented by Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts are the backbone of our economy. During my tenure in the State Senate, I have had the opportunity to both collaborate with, and learn from, ASM members. It is one of my primary goals to continue to actively work with ASM and its new president, Jeff Marr, about the issues impacting the industry, its membership, and the Commonwealth as a whole,” said Timilty. Massachusetts state representative William Galvin was also in attendance and spoke about his continued commitment to working on behalf of subcontractors.

ASM members also elected three new directors to the board: Aideen Doneski of Gleeson Powers, Inc.; Charran Fisher of Fisher Contracting Corp.; and Wayne Griffin of Wayne J. Griffin Electric Inc.

Other officers elected at the event include:

• President-elect: Leslie Carrio of Depaoli Mosaic Company

• Treasurer: Steven Amanti of E. Amanti & Sons, Inc. in Salem

• Vice president and assistant treasurer: Matt Brown of Greenwood Industries, Inc. in Worcester

• Vice president: Peter Townsend of ML McDonald Sales Company, LLC in Watertown

In other news, our own legislature here in Massachusetts is focused on how to manage a healthy amount of state tax surplus funds. One issue that stands out as a priority for ASM members and for all employers is the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. ASM has been urging elected officials to use available federal and state resources to replenish the depleted UI Trust Fund. The pandemic has resulted in an approximately $7 billion UI deficit which was recently bonded into a 20-year assessment for employers. Recently, ASM submitted a letter to the legislature to urge action and to help employers by mitigating some of the impact caused by COVID-19. Some funding to replenish the UI Trust Fund is likely to be included in the final spending bill currently being debated on Beacon Hill.

November also brought a number of public hearings on issues important to the construction industry. ASM offered support for legislation that would clarify indemnification provisions in contracts and offered testimony on a legislation that would amend some of the threshold requirements for filed sub-bid public construction. As usual there is no shortage of issues that impact the industry being continually discussed among legislators and regulators.

Michael McDonagh is the CEO of the Associated Subcontractors of Mass., Boston.