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C.I.C.A. HistoryA letter was sent out by two local contractors, Mr. Jesse Anderson and Mr. Glenn Moore on March 3, 1988 inviting all irrigation contractors, distributors and related persons to a meeting to be held on March 30, 1988 in New Haven, CT. The purpose of this meeting as it was stated in the letter, was to investigate the possibility of starting a local Irrigation Association Chapter or a local Irrigation Association. The intent of this group was two-fold. First, to make available the technical information and design program of the Irrigation Association and then to discuss the pressing issue of licensing. Several of our fellow contractors had jobs stopped and had been asked to take a test for a license that pertains to a category other than irrigation. We felt a local association could benefit all of us to be recognized as irrigators. The issue of licensing brought a tremendous response from the approximately sixty irrigation contractors and support businesses. Our first meeting resulted in the naming of the association, heretofore known at the "Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association," appointment of officers and a mandate from the membership that we spearhead a campaign from a legal and legislative position to secure appropriate licensing for our specialized profession. The new Officers - President, Mr. Glenn Moore; Vice President, Mr. Jesse Anderson; Treasurer, Mr. Mike Streckfus, and Secretary, Mr. Mike Frechette met subsequent to our first meeting, on April 6, 1988. The test of the meeting included the first draft of our By-laws and a discussion of our purpose as an association. The following paragraph is extracted from our By-laws and reflects, that which we believe to be the purpose of the "Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association". "Purpose - The Association shall exist for the purpose of promoting excellence in the field of turf irrigation installation. The Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association is dedicated to the achievement of standardization within its areas of expertise, through relevant licensing, involvement in educational seminars, trade shows and open communication within and outside the membership. The Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association is further dedicated to promoting a professional and autonomous self image for each member, that will further enhance industry wide acceptance, of this specialized profession. Lastly, the Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association is dedicated to the health and welfare of each member and their families through any means that are available or could be made available during a time of need." The result of the first meeting of the officers was a set of By-Laws that we felt would provide us with some solid guidelines and the flexibility to change with the times. We resolved to meet within a two-week period of time. The purpose of our next meeting on April 19, 1988 was to interview prospective attorneys to assist us with forming our corporate structure, applying for tax exempt status and assisting us with the licensing issue. After interviewing several attorneys we decided that Attorney Joseph P. Quinn Jr. of Furniss & Quinn, Hartford, Connecticut was the attorney that could best serve our needs. Mr. Quinn had served as the democratic counsel to the president of the Senate for the most recent session. Attorney Quinn is very knowledgeable with regard to the daily business of the Senate, he knows the appropriate people who can orchestrate our case and the proper procedures for insuring that proposed legislation is fairly heard. After interviewing the different attorneys the officers met to discuss our newly written By-laws and to develop our Annual Dues Rate Structure. On May 5, 1988, the Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association retained Attorney Joseph P. Quinn, Esq. On July 15, 1988, the CICA sent out a letter to all contractors and related industry stating that we had 30 plus new members in the CICA and the number was growing with each day's mail. It was stated in this letter that strength and influential power of any group is dependent upon numbers. Our legal and legislative impact will be directly proportionate to our numbers. It was stressed for those who have not joined to do so and for those who have, to bring in more members. At this time it was also stated that our Attorney, Joe Quinn, and our officers have been in contact with the Director of the Department of Consumer Protection, Mr. Roland Bonoscani. All indicators looked positive for a resolution to the licensing issue without legislative changes or costly legal battles. Mr. Bonoscani informed us that, commencing immediately, we will no longer be stopped on any irrigation project, providing we are not involved with the water tap of the domestic water, installation of the backflow preventer or engaged in any 110 volt electrical service. The Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association encourages all members to conform to these regulations as the aforementioned functions belong to the professions we are not involved with. The Department of Consumer Protection's position is that irrigation contractors should be registered as "Home Improvement Contractors". They also state that you must use the appropriate trades for inside plumbing and electrical requirements. Mr. Bonoscani indicated at that time a statement to the general public should be forthcoming in the next few months, regarding the status on the licensing of irrigation contractors. On July 18, 1988 we received a letter from our Attorney Mr. Joseph Quinn stating that he has spoken to Mr. Bonoscani. Mr. Bonoscani indicated that he had met with both the plumbing and electrical licensing boards and they had decided that members of our group would not need either a plumbing or electrical license. They did, however, require that a licensed plumber make any connections with potable water systems. Further, the electrical connection should be by plug which they understand we currently do. The precise language of the ruling or regulation was not available although at that time they did intend to publish a newsletter. This newsletter would emanate from the Department of Occupational Licensing of the Department of Consumer Protection. Attorney Quinn's advice to that internal ruling would be to read the newsletter and try to analyze the effects of it. Mr. Bonoscani indicates that no longer will fieldwork be stopped unless there is a problem with the connection to potable water systems. Attorney Quinn suggested that our group may still prefer to pursue a separate licensing category for its members. It was suggested that we discuss this at our next meeting with Attorney Quinn on August 9, 1988. Also the incorporation papers for the State of Connecticut would be signed at this time as well as the application for tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service. The next meeting of the Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association was on October 24, 1988 in Milford, CT. The announcement letter of this meeting was sent on September 8, 1988 and for those people who were already members it contained a copy of the By-laws for their perusal. If they were not yet -a member, they were again encouraged to join and become involved. At this meeting Attorney Quinn was our guest speaker. He gave the membership an overview of his background and a progress report on our association business. Attorney Quinn encouraged us to move forward by obtaining licensing for our profession. Complacency with the most recent directive from the Department of Consumer Protection could backfire, as any governmental directive can be superseded and unless we strive towards applicable licensing, we could find ourselves in the same boat we were in prior to the most recent directive from the Department of Consumer Protection that brought us to our current status. Attorney Quinn advised us to use a lobbyist in our efforts to gain licensing. Other association business was conducted at this meeting and it was decided that our top priorities at this juncture were increased membership and the continued pursuit of licensing. Elections were held to fill the Board of Directors position. The next meeting of the Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association was held on March 8, 1989. We recorded our largest turnout to date for our first dinner/meeting attended by 84 members and nonmembers. Regular association business was conducted at this meeting and the current officers were voted upon and passed to retain their positions for an additional year. Mr. Bob Sears of the IA was our guest speaker for the evening. The next general membership meeting of the CICA was on August 1, 1989. Regular association business was conducted at this meeting. Since the July 15, 1988 meeting of the CICA the officers of the association
had contacted and interviewed several lobbyists for both pursuing the licensing
issue and also for watching for legislative bills or regulations which would
have an impact on our profession. After these interviews, the officers decided
that Mr. Don Kiley would be the best lobbyist for watching the events at
the capital and reporting any possible legislation or regulations that may
affect us. It was also decided that Mr. Jay Malcynsky and Mr. Michael Handley
of the firm Gaffney, Bennett and Associates, Inc. could best handle our
licensing needs. Mr. Malcynsky had many contacts within the Department of
Consumer Protection, as well as the plumbing and electrical unions. He also
seemed to know the best way to pursue this licensing venture. It was agreed
upon by the officers to bring these two firms to the next general membership
meeting of the CICA. |
