Posted by Frank Macak, STAHI secretary
STAHI Provides a minimum of (2) hours of NYS Approved Continuing Education at each monthly meeting.
STAHI February 2022 Meeting
(Via Zoom)
2/15/2022
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Roll Call Introductions. Members (New Member, Rich Maricle – Welcome!)
Determine Quorum (by Secretary based on current membership) minimum required 50% or more of full membership plus presence of President or Vice President)
Requests from Members for Modifications to this Meeting Agenda?
Approval of January 2022 Meeting Minutes as posted on STAHI website.
Secretary’s Report (Frank Macak)
- Report
- Other?
Treasurer’s (Nathan Mann) Report and Approval
- Monthly Treasurer’s Report (None from January)
- Dues are due by time of last meeting. (Delinquent members will not be eligible for STAHI CE after this meeting)
- Vice President’s (Russ Fontaine) ordinary mid-term audit of STAHI account.
- Officers seek support for their decision to refund $50 non-member CE payment to Steve Dawes who just joined.
- Purchase per Approval of Proposal for Budget Revision: ADD $588 + ~$150 for Zoom Pro subscription. Larry has paid for these to expedite arrangements with NetInspect and is waiting reimbursement.
- Expedite payment of collected dues to NYSAHI
- Provisions for electronic dues payment
- Gearing Up – YourCE & Zoom
Education Coordinator Report (Charlie Reiman, Education Coordinator, + Dennis Cole and Dick Alton)
- Projected CE Training
- Confirmation of NYS status of Aaron Menlove Insurance program?
- Confirmation of NYS status of Strong Tie Insurance program?
- Exploration of Air Source mini-split CE program?
- Status of follow-up on proposal for a series of Show-n-Tell for various categories suggested by Larry Ames. NYS certified instructor volunteers requested to conduct Show-n-Tells. Meal and Thanks! provided to instructors willing to do this without fee to expand STAHI CE offerings.
- President’s request for calendar of CE offerings out three months.
- Other?
- Tonight’s Education Events:
- During Meeting: (“Heads Up – Water Softening Backwash” – by Larry Ames
- At end of business meeting: “The Progression of Building Techniques Through the Ages”- NYS L2792-02, by NetInspect/Dick Alton
NYSAHI Report (Tom Ott & Larry Ames 2021-22 STAHI Representatives)
- Authorized production of article for website: Liability Insurance Regulation by NYSDOS. Others to follow (suggestions welcomed)
- New Logo in the works
- New Board Member Steve Krahel reports Western New York Alliance of Home Inspectors have invested ~$1500 in apparatus to have live/remote meetings and CE. Something to consider.
- Looking for member input for what would add value to their NYSAHI membership. Ideas for Heads Up articles??? Others?
Old Business
- Corona Virus Conditions
- Continuing Call for new CE Opportunities from Members
- Mini Subjects
- Allied Trades & Professions
- Show N Tell Submissions
- Any with unpaid dues by June 30 will receive notification of being dropped from membership
- Final Call: Alternate proposals for use of scholarship funds $500. Resolution for an approval…
- Inquiry to NYS Division of Codes & Standards – Fire Fighter Drywall Tape – waiting response.
- Tech Follow-Up information posted in forum by Larry Ames: Interior Use of Fernco Couplings; Installation of “Cheater Vents” in Walls; Lead in Damaged Porcelain Bathtubs.. Health Threat Dependent on Acid Water?
New Business
Recent article on unvented gas appliances – Larry Ames (CNN Article 1/27/22 “Gas stoves are a threat to health and have larger climate impact than previously known, study shows “ …scientists at Stanford University, found the emissions from gas stoves in US homes have the same climate-warming impact as that of half a million gasoline-powered cars — far more than scientists have previously estimated…. most of the stoves that we measured had at least a slow bleed of methane while they were off…nitrogen oxides, or NOx, … pose an especially harmful risk to children and the elderly, … emissions are directly proportional to how much gas is burned. (My takeaway: make sure that houses have good kitchen ventilation, recommend turning vent. on when cooking; check for leaks; issue for gas dryers also!) https://apple.news/A1Nd-C8ExR6KtOHErLzLOdw
- State Workforce Program
- Jamie Arnold’s Wordfence email protection suggestion (free version now, pay version is $100/yr.)
Adjournment (Next meeting March 15th)
Education Segment (2 credits NYS CE)
“The Progression of Building Techniques Through the Ages”– NYS L2792-02, by NetInspect/Dick Alton
STAHI December 2021 Meeting Minutes
(Via Zoom)
12/21/2021
Note: Return to remote meeting due to Corona Virus conditions and 2:1 majority of members per on-line poll.
Call to Order: 6:15 PM, due to delay with some members not registering ahead of the meeting, not receiving the link.
Roll Call Introductions. 16 Members & 1 Guest, Steve Dawes friend of Tom Sherman
Determine Quorum -we have a total of 24 voting members, the quorum was met
Requests from Members for Modifications to this Meeting Agenda? Larry wants Tom to talk about access/registering for the meetings
Approval of November 2021 Meeting Minutes as posted on STAHI website: Larry requested correction that one of the main reasons for Professional Home Inspections leaving STAHI was that they had to pay their attending inspectors overtime and it became very expensive for them.
Motion to approve: Tom Ott, second Dave Jones
Secretary’s Report (Frank Macak)
Frank updated the Bylaws on the website. No other news.
Treasurer’s (Nathan Mann) Report and Approval
Beginning Balance: 4912.14
Received 2 dues = $450
Expenses – 2 CE checks went out, 2 members NYSAHI dues $150 = $950
Balance: $ 4,412.14
Larry mentioned the change of dues for Trade members to $150 as was approved by the membership to be included in updates/forms
Larry asked Russ F. to review the account books before the next meeting = standard procedure
The spreadsheet for the budget was reviewed by the membership, Larry went over the details, projections confirming with Nate, projecting 25 full members plus some trade members. Based on a projection of only 20 members, currently 25 Full and 3 Trade STAHI members, we should have revenue of $5,100, about $4,000 carryover from last year, with all projected expenses we would end up with a $2,800 carryover into the 2023 year after all expenses.
Larry talked about wanting to have all meetings with some CE classes. He asked education coordinators to try filling the meeting that has no paid CE’s to try to do free contractor presentations that have certified CEs i.e Strong-Tie, InspectorPro, and also do a Show-n-Tell with photos, etc. – we can get fairly easy approval on that. Since it is much simpler than actual specialized CEs, we could have approved instructors to do it for a paid meal. Larry also budgeted 4 CE applications @$25 for those. Ross R. reported to Larry that NYSAHI will not be requesting the dues from new STAHI members that are under the scholarship program. Larry went over the itemized expenses of $6,260 – can be seen online in the spreadsheet STAHI 2022 BUDGET PROPOSAL – STAHI.
Sincere thanks from the membership to Larry for the hard work, great job, appreciated.
Motion to approve the budget: Keith O. seconded by Tom Ott
Backtracked – Larry asked Nate to provide a short form that could be posted on the STAHI site and just approve it at the meeting. Don’t have to go through all the details at the meeting.
Education Coordinator Report (Charlie and Dennis were not present – reported by Larry
Projected CE Training
Aaron Menlove Insurance program – should be approved. Tom S says we or him has to submit it for approval to NYS. Dave noted it has to be submitted by and approved for STAHI
Strong-Tie Insurance program – also believed to be approved
Exploration of Air Source mini-split CE program? Charlie’s project
Show-n-Tell for various categories suggested by Larry Ames. NYS certified instructor volunteers requested to conduct Show-n-Tells – Keith offered to do it, others are welcome to step up. Instructors should pick the subject and provide info to Dennis for submissions. provided to instructors willing to do this without fee to expand STAHI CE offerings. Tom has submitted Heating and Plumbing as 2 separate courses through his NETinspect.
NetInspect CE for January STAHI meeting – 6 classes were submitted, they should be ready
Tom Ott asked about doing septic courses if possible.
President’s request for a calendar of CE offerings out three months – scheduled ahead by Charlie.
NYSDOS new regulation relating to remote CE – NYSAHI has been pushing for it and has it also available during a snow emergency. The state has specific regulations for those. NYSAHI also asked to limit the CE to the NY state, but the state seemed to have opened it up to all other providers. NYSAHI sent the letter to NYS to reconsider.
Last year we had 16 CEs through STAHI, so we are ahead. Tom had a lot to do with it – thank you, Tom.
Tom spoke about his new platform how he is planning on providing the CE classes which he developed with his programmer. He invited STAHI as a founding member into his program which would give those “schools” [ it would be “STAHI School”] a locked-in price of $49 / month. It would give us the use of his platform to set up meetings, CE classes, generate notifications, links, stores certificates with an option to print, tracks attendance, etc. We could use the platform with his class or our class that we bring in whether on ZOOM or in person. It meets the state requirements for sign-in/out, and all other info related to CEs.
Dave is already a founding member of his school and is satisfied with the service.
Tom wants to present it to us in more detail in a separate ZOOM meeting, with Charlie and Dennis present, and some others – agreed.
Tonight’s Education Event: At end of business meeting: “Dissecting an Oil-fired Boiler – NYS L2777-02, by NetInspect/Tom Sherman.
Important: Tom spoke about registering for the class as soon as you get the link from STAHI since all other notifications are sent only to those that are registered. So to get into ZOOM meetings, class sign-in/out, and other notifications, it is all sent after you register for the class.
NYSAHI Report (Tom Ott & Larry Ames 2021-22 STAHI Representatives). Reported by Ross Relyea, current president of NYSAHI
New President’s Agenda for 2022; NYSAHI put together a set of goals and hopefully increase revenues, have a lobbyist again, open the website for advertisers, etc.
NYSAHI will request Liability Insurance Specifications/Regulation by NYSDOS. Liability insurance is being sold to inspectors, but they are not covering any damages.
Dick A. was asking if NYSAHI has any specific plans on bringing in more members to increase revenue.
NYSAHI lost 2 major organizations from downstate as members which were about 50% of revenue.
Various ideas were presented to increase the value of NYSAHI. Larry spoke about bringing specific members’ concerns to NYSAHI so that they could be addressed. Pointed out an incident with Bruce K where the realtor would not open the house because Bruce was not a member of GBAR. GBAR is not the licensing agent, inspectors can do inspections anywhere in the state. NYSAHI sent a reminder to GBAR on that issue.
We will expedite payment of STAHI member NYSAHI dues to help with tight NYSAHI finances.
Keith expressed how much hard and dedicated work was put into lobbying and promoting inspectors’ issues on behalf of NYSAHI.
Looking for member input for what would add value to their NYSAHI membership.
Old Business
Corona Virus Conditions – are worsening, we will still meet over ZOOM, be safe over the holidays
Continuing Call for new CE Opportunities from Members by Larry
Monthly E-mail reminder of dues payment due date.
Alternate proposals for use of scholarship funds $500. The decision is to be made at the February meeting.
New Business: None
Motion to Adjourn:
Keith Oberg, second by Russ F. All in favor.
Education Segment (2 credits NYS CE)
“Dissecting an Oil-fired Boiler – NYS L2777-02, by NetInspect/Tom Sherman.
Meeting minutes were recorded by Frank Macak – STAHI Secretary 2017–2022
If you have any additions/corrections – please contact me at frank@prime-inspect.com
Frank Macak, Secretary
STAHI January 2022 Meeting
(Via Zoom)
1/18/2022
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Roll Call Introductions. Members (New Member Steve Dawes – Welcome!) & Guests
Determine Quorum (by Secretary based on current membership) minimum required plus presence of President or Vice President)
Requests from Members for Modifications to this Meeting Agenda?
Approval of December 2021 Meeting Minutes as posted on STAHI website.
Secretary’s Report (Frank Macak)
- Report
- Other?
Treasurer’s (Nathan Mann) Report and Approval
- Monthly Treasurer’s Report
- Dues are due by this meeting time. (Delinquent members will not be eligible for STAHI CE credit after this meeting)
- Vice President’s (Russ Fontaine) ordinary mid-term audit of STAHI account.
- Officers seek support for their decision to refund $50 non-member CE payment to Steve Dawes who just joined.
- Proposal for Budget Revision: Meeting with Tom Sherman of NetInspect to learn about the YourCE App service. (Recommendation to APPROVE: By Larry, Frank, Charlie & Dale) – $49/mo = ADD $588 to annual expenses for 2022. (Tom will cover NYS CE registration fees for his modules this year $25 x 6 = $150 savings.)
- Proposal for Budget Revision: Recommend APPROVE per meeting with NetInspect. STAHI to purchase its own ZOOM Pro app. = $149.90/year.
- Total of recommended added expenses in 2022 = $737.90 (plus any applicable sales tax)
Education Coordinator Report (Charlie Reiman, Education Coordinator, + Dennis Cole and Dick Alton)
- Projected CE Training
- Confirmation of NYS status of Aaron Menlove Insurance program?
- Confirmation of NYS status of Strong Tie Insurance program?
- Exploration of Air Source mini-split CE program?
- Status of follow-up on proposal for a series of Show-n-Tell for various categories suggested by Larry Ames. NYS certified instructor volunteers requested to conduct Show-n-Tells. Meal and Thanks! provided to instructors willing to do this without fee to expand STAHI CE offerings.
- President’s request for calendar of CE offerings out three months.
- Other?
- Tonight’s Education Event: At end of business meeting: “Spot the Defect: Plumbing Systems” – NYS L2781-02, by NetInspect/Tom Sherman.
NYSAHI Report (Tom Ott & Larry Ames 2021-22 STAHI Representatives)
- Liability Insurance Regulation by NYSDOS
- Expedited payment of STAHI member NYSAHI dues discussed in meeting and much appreciated!!
- New Board Member Steve Krahel replacing Dave Clark as WNY Rep.
- NYSAHI letter to NYSDOS regarding remote training regulation. Recommend in-person training for 140 hr course; Exclude schools outside of NYS from remote training authorization.
- Discussion of GBAR sale contract provision to require providing reports to seller if requested. Doing so creates potential huge liability for Listing Agent and Seller.
- Posting “Heads-Up” articles on website discussed. (Liability Insurance, Sales Tax Collection; HI Liability in Making Referrals; Reselling Inspection Reports; etc.)
- Looking for member input for what would add value to their NYSAHI membership. Ideas for Heads Up articles??? Others?
Old Business
- Corona Virus Conditions
- Continuing Call for new CE Opportunities from Members
- Mini Subjects
- Allied Trades & Professions
- Show N Tell Submissions
- Any with unpaid dues by June 30 will receive notification of being dropped from membership
- Last Call at next meeting: Alternateproposals for use of scholarship funds $500. Decision to be made at February meeting.
New Business
- Any?
Adjournment (Next meeting February 15th via Zoom)
Education Segment (2 credits NYS CE)
“Spot the Defect: Plumbing Systems” – NYS L2781-02, by NetInspect/Tom Sherman
STAHI December 2021 Meeting (Via Zoom)
12/21/2021
Note: Return to remote meeting due to Corona Virus conditions and 2:1 majority of members per on-line poll.
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Roll Call Introductions. Members & Guests
Determine Quorum (by Secretary based on current membership) minimum required plus presence of President or Vice President)
Requests from Members for Modifications to this Meeting Agenda?
Approval of November 2021 Meeting Minutes as posted on STAHI website.
Secretary’s Report (Frank Macak)
- Report
- Other?
Treasurer’s (Nathan Mann) Report and Approval
- Monthly Treasurer’s Report
- Notice that dues are due by January 19th, 2022 meeting. (Delinquent members not eligible for STAHI CE credit)
- 2022 Budget Proposal (As posted on STAHI website)
- Vice President assigned to conduct ordinary mid-term audit of STAHI account and report in January meeting.
Education Coordinator Report (Charlie Reiman, Education Coordinator, + Dennis Cole and Dick Alton)
- Projected CE Training
- Confirmation of NYS status of Aaron Menlove Insurance program?
- Confirmation of NYS status of Strong Tie Insurance program?
- Exploration of Air Source mini-split CE program?
- Status of follow-up on proposal for a series of Show-n-Tell for various categories suggested by Larry Ames. NYS certified instructor volunteers requested to conduct Show-n-Tells. Meal and Thanks! provided to instructors willing to do this without fee to expand STAHI CE offerings.
- NetInspect CE for January STAHI meeting.
- President’s request for calendar of CE offerings out three months.
- NYSDOS new regulation relating to remote CE
- Other?
- Tonight’s Education Event: At end of business meeting: “Dissecting an Oil-fired Boiler – NYS L2777-02, by NetInspect/Tom Sherman.
NYSAHI Report (Tom Ott & Larry Ames 2021-22 STAHI Representatives)
- New President’s Agenda for 2022
- Liability Insurance Regulation by NYSDOS
- Will expedite payment of STAHI member NYSAHI dues to help with tight NYSAHI finances.
- Looking for member input for what would add value to their NYSAHI membership.
Old Business
- Corona Virus Conditions
- Continuing Call for new CE Opportunities from Members
- Mini Subjects
- Allied Trades & Professions
- Show N Tell Submissions
- Monthly E-mail reminder of dues payment due date.
- Alternate proposals for use of scholarship funds $500. Decision to be made at February meeting.
New Business
- Any?
Adjournment
Education Segment (2 credits NYS CE)
“Dissecting an Oil-fired Boiler – NYS L2777-02, by NetInspect/Tom Sherman.
FOLLOW-UP TO DISCUSSION AT STAHI ZOOM MEETING 8/21/2021: Ground & Neutral on same lug in main service panel.
?: Can a Ground & Neutral wire be on same lug in main service panel. Is this something that should be called out?
+ Frank Macak, Dennis Cole and others said this is common practice, is found all the time, the electricians say it’s fine and they do not called out.
+ Frank Macak said it does not make sense that they have to be separated since they are bonded in the main service panel in any case.
+ Larry Ames said that the separation of neutrals and grounds as required by the NEC and it should be followed, but that he would investigate and advise.
+ Larry offers this link:
Can more than one neutral or ground wire be terminated under the same lug/set-screw in an electric panel?
https://www.howtolookatahouse.com/Blog/Entries/2018/7/can-more-than-one-neutral-or-ground-wire-be-terminated-under-the-same-lugset-screw-in-an-electric-panel.html#:~:text=Each%20neutral%20%28white%2C%20grounded%20conductor%29%20wire%20should%20be,%28bare%20or%20green%29%20wire%20cannot%20share%20a%20terminal.
+ Larry’s takeaway from this: The separation of neutrals and grounds in their connections in the main service panel is a requirement of the NEC which is an electrician’s code and a qualified electrician should follow that code. The code requirement was developed for good reason and relates to safety. I will continue to report this despite any complaints from electricians (i have had none). Please offer your perspective and other information relative to this matter so that we can hopefully reach a reliable consensus on this matter.
REVISED 9/19/2021
ARTICLE IV: DUES
1. Dues for membership shall be an amount established from time to time by the Board of Directors.
(Currently dues are: Member $225 (includes $75 NYSAHI dues); Associate Member $150 (NYSAHI dues paid in another association); Retired Member $0; Trade Member $100; McGovern Scholarship Member $0 (includes NYSAHI).
2. Any member more than sixty (60) days in arrears for any indebtedness to the Association may be terminated from membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall send to a member written notice of an account in arrears by First Class Mail upon that account reaching thirty (30) days in arrears.
Annual payment of dues for membership shall be required for continuing membership no later than the scheduled date of the Association’s first scheduled meeting in January (the third Tuesday of January). Advance notice relating to the amount and due date should be sent by the Treasurer by e-mail to each person in the current membership (except Retired Members) no later than December 21st. Such notice shall include payment instructions and dues amounts by membership category. In addition to methods of payment offered in the notice, payments in cash will be accepted at the January meeting.
Any member who is delinquent in payment of dues shall be dropped from the STAHI membership roll on June 30th of the year delinquent and shall be sent prompt notice of such by First Class Mail by the Treasurer. Such notice shall include instructions to the ex-member to immediately take down the STAHI logo along with any representation of their membership in or affiliation with STAHI, from their website, business card, social media or other forms of promotion, advising that failure to do so may constitute a violation of New York State regulations Section 197-4.8 “Fraud, Misrepresentation and Dishonesty”.
During any member’s period of dues delinquency, they will not be eligible for State Continuing Education credit for any STAHI education program and no certificates for such shall be given them. Such State CE credit may not be conferred by STAHI retroactively when past due dues are paid up.
Ex-Members may be re-instated to membership upon payment of un-discounted past due annual dues in full, along with payment of a $25 administrative fee.
3. In the event of dissolution of the Association, any funds remaining shall be transferred to one or more organizations which are exempt from Federal Income Tax under Internal Revenue Code 501 (c )(6).
4. The Association dues for a Member who maintains NYSAHI membership through means other than their STAHI membership shall be discounted, but such member shall have no STAHI voting rights in any matter relating to NYSAHI. That discount shall be established from time to time by the Board.