MALSCE News

A monthly Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and

Civil Engineers member newsletter



December 2022

MALSCE Sustaining Members: AirWorks Solutions, Allen & Major Associates, Inc., Beals and Thomas, Inc., Bluesky Geospatial Limited, Brennan Consulting, Inc.,  BSC Group, Inc., Carlson Software, CHA,

Coastal Engineering Co. Inc., Crocker Design Group, DGT Associates, Donovan Hatem LLP,

Eastern Topographics, Feldman Geospatial, GM2 Associates, Inc., Hancock Associates,

Maine Technical Source, Moran Surveying, Inc., Nitsch Engineering, R.J. O'Connell & Associates, Inc., Samiotes Consultants Inc., Spiller's, Topcon Solutions Store, VHB, Inc., Winwood Sawmill, WSP

MALSCE Events

Fourteenth Annual

Legal Perspectives on Land Surveying


Friday, January 27, 2023

The Conference Center at Waltham Woods

860 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451 (just off I-95, exit 43B)

7:30 - 8:00 AM Registration; 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Seminar

This program will simultaneously be presented as a Zoom Video Webinar and recorded


Don’t miss this popular seminar examining legal issues impacting the land surveying profession. This year’s seminar will feature the same insightful analysis of recent legal interpretations of surveys by Massachusetts courts and related matters that is the hallmark of this program. Attorneys from Englander & Chicoine P.C. and other notable land use practitioners will discuss topics that will enable you to create a more effective survey, which may help parties avoid litigation or prevail on disputed claims. Learn why this is MALSCE’s most popular seminar year after year. 



Click here to learn more and register.

Recent Updates to Preparing

Layout Plans for MassDOT


Friday, February 17, 2023

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Zoom Video Webinar


Speakers:

Michael Chouinard, PE, PLS

State Layout Engineer. MassDOT Highway Division


Michael Roberts

Senior Layout Office Engineer, MassDOT Highway Division


The presentation will outline recent updates to the requirements for the preparation of layout/easement plans and written instruments. Also discussed will be an overview of the MassDOT Highway Division project delivery process including the recent requirement that a Massachusetts PLS prequalified in the Layout Document Preparation category participate in the process prior to the layout/easement plan preparation phase.


Click here to learn more and register.

Save the Dates!

2023 MALSCE Convention


Friday and Saturday, March 3 & 4, 2023

Boxboro Regency Hotel & Conference Center

242 Adams Place, Boxborough, MA 01719


Save the dates for the 2023 MALSCE Convention on March 3 and 4, 2023, which is being held at the Boxboro Regency Hotel & Conference Center in Boxborough, MA. Organized under the theme Inspiring Growth in the Profession, the 2023 Convention will feature:


In-depth Presentations

On technological advances, standards of practice, and business trends impacting the land surveying and civil engineering professions


Convention Exhibits

Featuring exhibits of the latest technologies and services, and two hours of live demonstrations


Plan & Field Notes Contests

Submitted plans and field notes will be displayed at the Convention and participants will vote for the best plan in various categories and Field Notes of the Year.


Networking Breaks, Benefit Auction, and more!

Plenty of down time to network with and learn from your peers. 


Look for convention materials, including how to make an overnight room reservation

for this in-person event, beginning in January 2023.

MALSCE Meetings

MALSCE Western Massachusetts Chapter

Dinner Meeting


Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Westwood Restaurant and Pub

94 N Elm Street, Westfield, MA 01085

6:30 PM Cocktails, 7:00 PM Dinner


Join MALSCE Western Massachusetts Chapter members for a dinner meeting on Wednesday, December 28, in Westfield! Email Mark Annis at mdaajm@gmail.com to RSVP.


MALSCE Proprietors’ Council Meeting

Open to All MALSCE Members


Friday, January 6, 2022

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Zoom Meeting


Moderator:

Michael A. Feldman

President and CEO, Feldman Geospatial, Chair, MALSCE Proprietors’ Council 


Join us for this rescheduled MALSCE Proprietors’ Council meeting. Continuing our ongoing discussions, agenda items for this meeting will include:

  • Pulse of Business
  • Qualifications-Based Selection of Design Professionals
  • Convention Format and Session Ideas
  • Future Professional Development Programs
  • Planned Programs
  • Additional Training Needs
  • Demand for Additional Certified Floodplain Surveyor Training and UAV Mapping Educational Series
  • Update from MALSCE’s President


Click here to learn more and register.

MALSCE News

Final Chance to Renew Your MALSCE Membership!


MALSCE leaders would like to thank all MALSCE dues paying members who have paid their fiscal year 2023 dues. Your timely payment helps ensure that MALSCE has the financial support that is needed to sustain its operations.


Third and final dues invoices were emailed to non-renewing members in late November. The MALSCE memberships of those who have not paid their fiscal year 2023 dues will be made inactive in January. If you have not paid your FY23 dues and would like to receive another copy of your MALSCE dues invoice, contact Michelle Monette at 617-305-4113 or mmonette@engineers.org.

Join the MALSCE Public Awareness Committee


During the November 17 MALSCE Board and Chapters dinner meeting, board members approved a description for a reconstructed MALSCE Public Awareness Committee. Created to perform those duties which will enhance MALSCE and the land surveying profession, this committee is chaired by David Prince, PLS, from WSP. The committee is charged with promoting the general recognition and acceptance of the practice of land surveying and survey engineering, and stimulating a greater interest in public perceptions affecting the profession.


To see a full committee description, click here. If you would like to volunteer to serve on the committee, email David Prince at david.prince@wsp.com.

Volunteer to Judge the New England Future City Competition


NCEES is looking for MALSCE members who are professional land surveyors to be volunteer judges during the New England Regional Future City Competition, which occurs on January 21, 2023, in Boston. Future City is a national, project-based learning experience in which 40,000 students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades from 1,350 schools imagine, design, and build cities of the future. They create a virtual city and then build a 3D model for judges to grade. NCEES needs land surveyors to judge a special award for best land surveying practices.


If you are interested in getting involved, email malsce@engineers.org.

Become a MALSCE Sustaining Member


There is still time to become a 2022-2023 MALSCE Sustaining Member. The enrollment period for this popular program is ongoing. Promote your organization to nearly 400 MALSCE members and demonstrate your support of the land surveying profession by becoming a MALSCE Sustaining Member today! For half of the annual $525 Sustaining Member dues, your organization can become a Sustaining Member for the 2023 fiscal year as well as the 2023-2024 Sustaining Member renewal period which lasts through the fall of 2023.


Click here to learn about the benefits and how your organization can become a sustaining member.

Help Us Determine How Soon to Hold Another

NSPS Certified Floodplain Surveyor Training


Due to capacity constraints, we were not able to accommodate everyone interested in attending the recently-held NSPS Certified Floodplain Surveyor (CFS) Northeast Training and Certification Program. MALSCE is trying to determine when to hold this training again in 2023. If you would be interested in attending such a program, please email Michelle Monette at mmonette@engineers.org.


Click here to learn more about the training.

MALSCE Government Affairs Update December 2022

 

Click here for Government Affairs activities and news for MALSCE members. Learn about the number of PLSs licensed in Massachusetts, Governor-Elect Maura Healey's recent announcements, Governor Baker signing the "No Net Loss" Conservation Bill, and recent Massachusetts Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors discussions.

Job Board


Looking to promote a job to MALSCE members? Click here to learn more about posting on the MALSCE job board.

Surveying Education Opportunities

Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology Offering Two

Online Land Surveying Courses Beginning Next Month


Enrollment is open for two Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology professional land surveying courses - Massachusetts Statutes and Regulations and Principles of Boundary Law I. These 14-week online courses begin the week of January 15.


Click here to learn more, including how to enroll.

Look to MALSCE News for information on available surveying education opportunities. UMaine has several different surveying degree and certificate programs available online, click here to learn more. Other universities with online surveying and geomatics program options include Idaho State University and New Mexico State University. 

NSPS News

NSPS' Office Has Moved


After a short delay with finalizing construction, the staff at NSPS is settling into their new space! Their new address effective immediately is 21 Byte Court, Suite H, Frederick, MD 21702. NSPS will retain the same phone number with new phone extensions.

Time is Running Out to Cast Your Vote in the

2022 NSPS Officer Elections

 

The 2022 NSPS Officer Election is nearing its conclusion with members who are eligible to vote having until 5:00 PM on this coming Friday, December 23 to do so. These members should have received weblink to the selection site. Because it is a mass mailing through a secure subconsultant, the email could be caught in spam filters and/or junk mail folders. Please check those locations first, then contact info@nsps.us.com if you are missing your email ballot.


The election website allows the voter to click on each candidate to review their bios for further information. Once the candidates are selected, a verification page is displayed for confirming the choices.

Check Out "Surveyor Says" NSPS' Podcast

 

Want to hear from the movers and shakers of the surveying profession? Each week, NSPS brings you conversations with the trendsetters and difference-makers that are helping to shape the world of surveying. Your host, NSPS Executive Director Tim Burch, sits down with various personalities to discuss all things surveying, all bundled in a 30-minute conversation. Listen to this recent episode to hear Tim introduce the new NSPS newsletter, "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Bulletin."


Download episodes of "Surveyor Says! - The NSPS Podcast" from your favorite streaming providers or find them at NSPS' podcast hosting site, Podbean. Watch NSPS' social media outlets for upcoming episode news and contests/giveaways on special occasions.

 

Thanks for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.


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. Click here for more information.

Affiliate Association Events

New York State Association of Professional Land Surveyors

64th Annual Conference


Wednesday - Friday, January 18-20, 2023

Turning Stone Resort & Casino

5218 Patrick Road Verona, NY 13478


Click here to learn more and register.

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 rkeenan@engineers.org.
Questions or comments?
Michelle Monette, MALSCE,  One Walnut Street, Boston, MA 02108, mmonette@engineers.org 
P: 617/227-5551 | F: 617/227-6783, www.MALSCE.org