MALSCE News
A monthly Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and
Civil Engineers member newsletter.
January 2021
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MALSCE Sustaining Members: Airworks Solutions, Inc., Allen & Major Associates, Inc.,
Beals and Thomas Inc., Bluesky Geospatial Limited, BSC Group, Inc., Carlson Software,
DGT Associates, Eastern Topographics, Feldman Land Surveyors, FARO Technologies Inc.,
Hancock Associates, Keystone Precision Instruments, Maine Technical Source,
Nitsch Engineering, Samiotes Consultants Inc., Smart Vent, Inc., Spiller's, Topcon Solutions Store,
VHB, Inc., Waypoint Technology Group, Wentworth Institute of Technology
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Plan to Attend the Virtual 2021 MALSCE Convention
Scheduled to occur the mornings of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, March 17, 18 & 19, 2021, the Virtual 2021 MALSCE Convention will feature in-depth presentations on technological advances, standards of practice, and regulatory matters impacting the land surveying and civil engineering professions. This year’s convention will also include a virtual convention exhibit, online plan and field notes contest, reception and benefit auction, and a virtual murder mystery party.
Confirmed convention sessions include:
Exhibitor Quick Fire
Federal Issues Facing the 117th Congress: Policies in Washington, DC Will Impact Your Profession
John “JB” Byrd, Vice President, Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, LLC
Stone Walls and Surveying
Robert M. Thorson, Professor and Interim Head of Geosciences, University of Connecticut
The NEW 2021 ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards
Gary R. Kent, PS, Owner, Meridian Land Consulting, LLC
Smart Urban Corridors
Ned Codd, PE, New England Planning & Environmental Lead, WSP
The Art of Retracement – Following in the Footsteps
Gary R. Kent, PS, Owner, Meridian Land Consulting, LLC
Look for an email announcing the Virtual 2021 MALSCE Convention is open for registration. Most convention sessions will be videotaped and made available for registrant viewing. Don’t miss out on this featured MALSCE professional development program.
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Recommend a Webinar or Seminar Topic!
MALSCE leaders are in the process of planning the professional development programs to be held during 2021 and beyond. Ranging from one-hour lunchtime webinars to half and full-day seminars, these programs examine technological advances, standards of practice, business trends and regulatory matters impacting the land surveying and civil engineering professions. If you have a suggested topic and/or recommended presenter for a webinar or seminar, please email Rich Keenan at [email protected].
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Submit Your The 2020 Surveyor of the Year Award Nomination
The MALSCE Awards Committee invites you to furnish the name of any fellow member you feel the committee should consider as a recipient of the 2020 MALSCE Surveyor of the Year Award. This annual award recognizes a professional land surveyor who has provided outstanding leadership for the profession. Current membership in MALSCE is also required to be recipient of this award. Past Surveyor of the Year Award recipients are not eligible to win again.
To nominate a recipient for the Surveyor of the Year Award simply complete the award nomination form below. Then return it via email, fax or regular mail by Friday, February 5, 2021 to MALSCE Awards Committee at [email protected], 617/227-6783 or MALSCE Surveyor of the Year, MALSCE, The Engineering Center, One Walnut Street, Boston, MA 02108-3616, respectively.
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Become the Massachusetts CST Coordinator!
MALSCE leaders are looking for a member to volunteer to be the National Society of Professional Surveyors’ Certified Survey Technician (CST) Program Coordinator for Massachusetts. Unlike the NCEES surveying licensure examinations, the CST Program, a nationally recognized certification for survey technicians, employs a testing format that is geared to minimize the costs for the applicants and thus relies primarily on the volunteering of others to set up a site for the examination and to proctor the applicants as they take the examination.
The ideal proctor is a professional land surveyor who is a “disinterested third party” with no direct personal benefit in the success of the examinees. MALSCE's NSPS Director John Lloyd will be on hand to help any candidate transition into the role. If you are interested in this position, please reach out to MALSCE's Executive Director, Rich Keenan at [email protected].
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MALSCE Government Affairs Update - January 2021
Click here for Government Affairs activities and news for MALSCE members. Learn more about state focused updates including Covid-19 resources and guidance for MALSCE members, Governor Baker's appointment of Jamey Tesler as Acting DOT Secretary, the new Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, legislation and more.
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There is Still Time to Become a MALSCE Sustaining Member
With five months left in the fiscal year, there is still time to become a 2020-2021 MALSCE Sustaining Member! Promote your company or educational institution to over 400 MALSCE members and demonstrate your support of the land surveying profession by becoming a MALSCE Sustaining Member today! For a prorated dues payment of $250, your organization can become a Sustaining Member for the 2021 Fiscal Year as well as the 2021-2022 sustaining member renewal period which lasts until Fall 2021. Click here to learn more.
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MALSCE Member Stephen P. DesRoche Passes Away
We are saddened to report that long-time MALSCE and Eastern MA Chapter member Stephen P. DesRoche, of Milton and Quincy, passed away peacefully on January 24. A graduate of Boston Technical High School and Northeastern University, Steve worked for several engineering firms in Boston prior to devoting himself full-time to his own business, Neponset Valley Survey Associates, Inc. in 1987. Visiting hours are from 4:00-8:00 p.m. today at Divine Mercy Parish in St. Mary’s Church, 115 Crescent St., West Quincy. Steve’s funeral Mass and burial are private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ann M. DesRoche Scholarship Fund, c/o Quincy Youth Arena, 60 Memorial Drive, Quincy, MA 02169 or Divine Mercy Parish of St. Mary’s Church, 755 Hancock St., Quincy, MA 02170. Click here for more details.
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Bristol South Register Succumbs to COVID-19
In sad news, Bristol South Register Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr. died on January 27, at the age of 63, from complications of coronavirus. Kalisz had served as Register of the Bristol South District Registry of Deeds since 2017. Prior to his election as Register, Kalisz, had served in many key positions for the New Bedford community, including a term as mayor from 1998 to 2006. Click here for more information.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last week published two major drone rules finalizing long-awaited regulations aimed at integrating unmanned aircraft into the national airspace. One is the agency’s flagship drone rulemaking on remote ID, requires all new drones to be manufactured with technology allowing them to be remotely identified and located by the FAA and law enforcement agencies. It has been seen as a prerequisite for further expansions of drone operations. Its release was accompanied immediately by a separate rule allowing operations at night, over people, and over moving vehicles. An executive summary is found here.
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Become a Certified Survey Technician
No matter what the future holds, prepare to meet challenges head on. Future-proof your resume by becoming a Certified Survey Technician (CST). This unique four-level certification program indicates official recognition by NSPS that a person can perform surveying tasks at a specific technical level. Show what you can do! Decide between the field or office track. Visit http://www.cstnsps.com for details.
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Affiliate Association Events |
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2020 NHLSA Annual Business Meeting & Webinar
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Zoom Webinar
1:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Speakers:
Joshua Burke, Senior Photogrammetrist and Mapping Manager, Eastern Topographics
Tyler Rigazio, Mapping Editing Manager, Eastern Topographics
Webinar: A Surveyor’s Guide to the Aerial Map Process, Requirements & Updates
The workshop will discuss project planning and creation of topographic & planimetric maps and also what is required from the surveyor. Topics will include the decision process for creating the most efficient maps, reviewing the pros and cons for various methods, and tips for surveyors to reduce delays. The first focus of the webinar will be the use of Manned Aircraft Photogrammetry including ground control steps and possible problems, importance of setting surveyor’s control to the aerial imagery and the mapping workflows. The second focus will be the use of Custom Flown Lidar including differing ground control requirements, ground classifications, and merging both methods for the most complete end product. Webinar will include demos of different solutions.
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RISPLS General Membership Meeting & Seminar
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Zoom Webinar
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Right-of-Entry
Guest Speaker: Robert Dahn
Presentation will cover a brief history of the statute since passage, the opponents we were met with, elements of the right of entry in particular things that resonated with the legislators and the sum of the generic things that are most often helpful.
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MALSCE News is a monthly publication of the Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers. This newsletter highlights the program and activities of MALSCE and reports on national and local matters of interest to land surveyors and civil engineers. While we cannot promise to print all news items that we receive, if you have one to share with your fellow MALSCE members please forward it to Rich Keenan at [email protected].
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