Special Edition V.10 (March 2020)
CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Maine BMV Authorizes Loads to be Carried on Temp Registrations
March 24, 2020

Effective immediately, the Maine BMV has granted permission for trucks with a temporary registration plate to carry a load. This permission is for the duration of the declared state of emergency here in the State of Maine and an additional 30 days thereafter. This permission is granted as referenced in Title 29A Section 462(3).

Registration Questions Answered
March 24, 2020

INTRASTATE
  • New Purchase – Dealer Sale
  • Temporary registrations are extended 30 days following the termination of the state of emergency.
  • Temporary registrations can carry a load – see attached Notice.
  • New Purchase – Private Sale
  • We have asked the Governor to allow email temporary registrations for this type of transaction so the equipment can be put in use. We will keep everyone posted.

INTERSTATE

There is no current ability to obtain Maine Fuel Decal or IFTA. Enforcement of those requirements is not expected.
Consistent Definition of "Essential"
March 24, 2020

During emergency situations, it is always better to have predictability and consistency whenever possible. Which is why the MMTA is encouraging Governor Mills and any municipality who are considering closure orders for non-essential businesses to use the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers”.

In guidance provided by the President, it said quite clearly that “ If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.” The trucking industry continues to answer the call and we ask federal, state and local authorities to help our industry have one consistent and predictable standard that clearly identifies essentiality when it comes to trucking and the businesses that support the trucking industry.
 
The DHS list identifies workers who conduct a range of operations and services that are essential to continued critical infrastructure viability and you can find the full list HERE. For our industry, here is the list provided for Transportation and Logistics:

  • Employees supporting or enabling transportation functions, including truck drivers, bus drivers, dispatchers, maintenance and repair technicians, warehouse workers, truck stop and rest area workers, and workers that maintain and inspect infrastructure (including those that require cross-jurisdiction travel)
  • Employees of firms providing services that enable logistics operations, including cooling, storing, packaging, and distributing products for wholesale or retail sale or use.
  • Mass transit workers
  • Workers responsible for operating dispatching passenger, commuter and freight trains and maintaining rail infrastructure and equipment
  • Maritime transportation workers - port workers, mariners, equipment operators
  • Truck drivers who haul hazardous and waste materials to support critical infrastructure, capabilities, functions, and services
  • Automotive repair and maintenance facilities
  • Manufacturers and distributors (to include service centers and related operations) of packaging materials, pallets, crates, containers, and other supplies needed to support manufacturing, packaging staging and distribution operations
  • Postal and shipping workers, to include private companies
  • Employees who repair and maintain vehicles, aircraft, rail equipment, marine vessels, and the equipment and infrastructure that enables operations that encompass movement of cargo and passengers
  • Air transportation employees, including air traffic controllers and maintenance personnel, ramp workers, aviation and aerospace safety, security, and operations personnel and accident investigations
  • Workers who support the maintenance and operation of cargo by air transportation, including flight crews, maintenance, airport operations, and other on- and off- airport facilities workers

Please feel free to share this link with any political decision makers who ask you how to best define trucking and related support companies as essential.

Maine Turnpike Travel Plaza Update
March 24, 2020

As a followup to our March 19th article on Rest Area services for truckers, the Maine Turnpike Authority gave us the following update as of this morning at 10am:

  • Northbound & Southbound in Kennebunk and West Gardiner are open with fuel, parking and Burger King and/or Z-Markets for food options.
  • Cumberland and Gray have no food but are still open for restrooms and fuel.
Interactive Webinar: Protect your Cash and Explore Government Financing Opportunities 
March 24, 2020

Hear from experts at Opus Consulting Group and the law firm of Murray, Plumb & Murray on critical steps you need to take to safeguard your cash and protect your assets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar will focus on common pitfalls of financial contingency planning and offer strategies for selecting the right financing options. Topics for discussion include: (1) cash management, (2) preparing for discussions with lenders, (3) government assistance programs, and (4) preparing financials. The teams will take questions during a Q&A session. Submit your questions in advance here: https://forms.gle/i9oRVrsQqWfKn9ay9  

WHEN: Mar 25, 2020 @ noon
 
To register for this free program, go to: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/4115849757123/WN_gKXnVLs4RAynnDd91QNJ0g  
 
To join by phone, dial (312) 626-6799 and enter meeting ID 684 343 466
 
Speakers will include business advisors Jacques Santucci and Andrew Wood, from Opus Consulting Group, and attorneys Andrew Helman and Katie Krakowka, business restructuring attorneys from Murray, Plumb & Murray.
Tips for the trucking industry to stay healthy and safe
Reprinted from MTAC

During this public health emergency, the trucking industry is considered “essential” and may continue to operate during Governor Lamont’s “stay at home” Executive Order. While the industry is working, we must do everything possible to protect the health and safety of member employees. Accordingly, MTAC is sharing some practices being used by members to maximize the health and safety of not only drivers, but all employees.
 
Members may consider the following:
  • Implore employees to stay home if sick
  • If employees have symptoms such as fever or respiratory issues, require them to seek medical evaluation immediately
  • If any drivers develop symptoms, deep clean their truck extensively with a cleaner utilizing personal protective equipment
  • Ensure drivers are getting the rest they need to maintain their own health
  • Distribute anti-bacterial wipes to each driver to carry with them to wipe their cabs, equipment, door handles, and trailer handles regularly
  • Ask drivers to stay in their truck as much as possible while on the job
  • Suggest drivers bring their own lunch, coffee, etc. to refrain from stopping at stores in order to minimize exposure
  • Encourage drivers to stay six feet away from others when they make store deliveries, if possible
  • Ask customers to eliminate the need for physical signatures whenever possible
  • If a signature is required, drivers should use their own pens for signing, not share a pen 
  • Drivers should wear gloves as much as possible, i.e. at fuel pumps, while making deliveries, etc.
  • Clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces
  • Have dispatchers wear gloves when receiving and processing paperwork 
  • Sanitize e-jacks and trailer doors on a continual basis
  • Clean interior bay doors and related equipment/buttons on a continual basis

Best wishes to all MTAC members during these difficult times.
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
We will keep MMTA members posted as new information comes in. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to email Tim, Randy or Brian if you have questions.
THANK YOU MMTA ANNUAL SPONSORS
Maine Motor Transport Association
P.O. Box 857
Augusta, ME 04332-0857
ph: (207)623-4128
fax: (207)623-4096