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PACA Conveyor – SPECIAL EDITION
President's Message
Peter
President's Message
As reported by Peter Vlahos, PACA's President.
Email Peter
President's Message
PACA's President Addresses Membership
This week we celebrated our 38th Annual Meeting albeit virtually, yet another first for our Association that we hope will be the first and last time. We trust that we will all be together next year as we celebrate our 39th Annual Meeting back at the Hotel Hershey.

Thank you to the members that joined us virtually on Monday and Tuesday to hear presentations by our favorite economist Anirban Basu and Mike Brunelle, Governor Wolf’s Chief of Staff. As always, we strive for cutting edge information and content to help our members navigate these turbulent times and, based on the feedback, it appears that we accomplished that. We want to extend our deep appreciation and gratitude to our Annual Meeting Rock Star Sponsor – Cleveland Brothers and CB Con-Agg – for their financial support to allow us to deliver the Annual Meeting on a complimentary basis to our members. In case that you missed those presentations, please see the article below and look for an email tomorrow to the entire membership offering access to both presentations plus updates on our Young Leaders, the recently launched PACA Emerging Leaders Academy (PELA), election of our Board members and the Gavel Exchange recognizing Rod Martin’s exemplary service to our Association and industry during his two years as Chairman of the Association.

Speaking of the leadership transition, Bob Housel, Masters RMC, was elected on Monday by the Board to serve as our Chairman. You will hear directly from Bob at the next Members Forum webinar scheduled on Tuesday, December 1 at 11 am. If you have not participated in the past, this is an exclusive benefit to our members and offers unprecedented access to state and national speakers on all issues that impact our industry. It is a member service created as a result of the pandemic earlier this year and we will continue this informal dialogue for years to come. For those that accuse us of too many emails, the Members Forum webinar provides a live, timely analysis of the ever-changing dynamics with a direct connection to your professional Association staff. No better way to get your questions to us via the QUESTIONS pane so that you don’t have to read through all these emails that we send to keep you in the know.

We look forward to reconnecting with you at the Members Forum webinar on December 1st so that we can also update you on the impacts of the Department of Health requirements released earlier this week (see story below), the conclusion of the 2019/2020 General Assembly Legislative Session, the yet to be approved Commonwealth’s 2020/2021 budget, the PennDOT ask for $600 million in bonding to pay for current projects and the leadership elections in both the PA Senate and PA House.

On behalf of our entire team, we wish you and your family a healthy and safe Thanksgiving!
President's Message
PA Releases Updated Order on Universal Face Coverings
The Pennsylvania Department of Health released earlier this week an updated order requiring universal face coverings. According to the press release, the intent is to “strengthen” the original order that was placed earlier in the year.

To help the public understand the new order, the Department of Health has released a Universal Masking FAQ document.

One area that had resulted in questions by our membership earlier in the year was face coverings while working. Please note that the updated order does provide the following exceptions:

A. If wearing a face covering while working would create an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.

B. If wearing a face covering would either cause a medical condition, or exacerbate an existing one, including respiratory issues that impede breathing, a mental health condition or a disability.

C. When necessary to confirm the individual’s identity.

D. While obtaining a service that requires the temporary removal of the face covering, such as dental services.

E. When working alone and isolated from interaction with other people with little or no expectation of in-person interaction."

F. If an individual is communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired or has another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.

If you have any questions, please contact Peter Vlahos.
President's Message
Email Blasts
Thank you to Our 2020 Corporate Sponsors!
PACA wishes to thank our 2020 Corporate Sponsors for their continuing support this year!

  • ASGCO Complete Conveyor Solutions
  • Babst Calland
  • Burch Materials & Supplies
  • Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co., Inc.
  • Commonwealth Equipment Corporation
  • Conviber, Inc.
  • Hoyt Wire Cloth/Lumsden Corp.
  • Kemper Equipment, Inc.
  • Master Builders Solutions
  • Maurer & Scott Sales, Inc.
  • Mellott Company
  • Murrysville Machinery Co. LLC
Kallie
PACA News
As reported by Kallie Kline, PACA's Director of Member Services.
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PACA News
PACA Board Pleased to Announce New Leadership
At their hybrid meeting held on Monday, November 16th, the PACA Board of Directors elected their new leadership for the next two years.

The following officers will be providing their guidance and expertise to this organization:

Chair: Bob Housel - Masters RMC, Inc.

Vice Chair: Jeff Detwiler - New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.

Secretary / Treasurer: Jamie Stilley - Amerikohl Aggregates, Inc.

We look forward to working along side our new leaders in the coming years.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff, we wish to thank Mr. Rod Martin, Martin Stone Quarries, Inc.; PACA's Immediate Past Chair, a very heartfelt thank you for his commitment, leadership and influence during his chairmanship.
PACA News
PACA Board & Associate Board Holds Elections for Three-Year Terms
Following our first virtual, online election, we are pleased to announce the following Board of Directors and Associate Board of Directors candidates were unanimously elected into their positions:

PACA Board of Directors - Term - 2021-2022-2023

  • Thomas Bryan, III; Bryan Materials Group
  • Terry Crispell, Lehigh Cement Company
  • Ron Kurpiel, Hanson Aggregates, Inc.
  • Greg Reshenberg, Stone & Company, Inc.
  • Rob Stewart; York Building Products Company, Inc.
  • Tom Ament, Buzzi Unicem USA
Associate Board of Directors - Term - 2021-2022-2023

  • Adele Abrams, Law Office of Adele Abrams, PC
  • Nathan Moore, Continental Placer, Inc.
  • Scott Blauch, R/W Connection, Inc.
Congratulations to all our new directors!
PACA News
PACA Holds Virtual Annual Meeting - Recordings Available
Earlier this week, PACA held its first ever virtual Annual Meeting.

In-person conferences typically provide informative guest speakers, breakout sessions with industry focus, one-on-one engagements, group outings, and events for social interaction. This last part is certainly the key - social interaction - something that all are lacking and craving this year. Unfortunately, under the circumstances, bringing everyone together was simply impossible. However, we were able to sucessfully deliver the informative guest speakers and sessions with industry focus - leadership development, elections and more!

On Monday, we once again welcomed economist Anirban Basu of Sage Policy Group who delivered his take on the current and future economic conditions amid a pandemic as only Anirban can. Mr. Basu as become one of our most requested and revered speakers throughout our conference planning and execution.

Following Mr. Basu's presentation, our Young Leaders Development Group highlighted PACA's newest product for 2021 - PACA's Emerging Leaders Academy - along with introducing their new leadership.

Listen to the recording of Monday's presentation with Anirban Basu and the YLDG HERE.

Tuesday featured Governor Wolf's Chief of Staff, Mike Brunelle, discussing the future of the Commonwealth amid the rising fall COVID numbers, PACA's Board of Directors and Associate Board of Directors elections and Chairman Rod Martin's final State of the Association address. But, the highlight of the day was the very special passing of the gavel ceremony from Rod to incoming Chair Bob Housel.

Bob's remarks to the membership were inspiration and encouraging and are a must-hear for all.

Listen to the recording of Tuesday's presentation with Mike Brunelle, Rod Martin and Bob Housel HERE.

Thank you to all who logged in and participated and we hope to see you all face-to-face very soon!
PACA News
COMING SOON! New Members Only Access on PACA Website
A brand new members only access area is in the works for the PACA website.

On top of allowing us to post documents, news articles, community updates and more; the new access area will allow you as a member of PACA to visit the Information Update area to ensure that we have your correct contact information on file. In this area, you'll also be able to update several other key areas of information that will help us serve you better.

Once you are familiar with our Members Only area, you’ll also be able to manage a variety of other items, including:

  • Paying your Open Invoices
  • Selecting what communications you want to receive from us
  • Taking Surveys
  • Calculating your Membership ROI
And SO MUCH MORE - stay tuned!
PACA News
PACA Young Leaders Hold Leadership Election
PACA's Young Leaders Development Group (YLDG) recently held their 2021 elections to vote on their new Chair and Vice Chair for 2021-2023. Currently, Collin Bender of Conewago Ready Mix (Chair) and Brianne Hastings, Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc. (Vice Chair) hold these positions.

We are pleased to announce the newly elected leaders of the YLDG:

  • Brianne Hastings, Chair
  • Dan Ridenour (Union Quarries), Vice Chair
Congratulations to you both!
Josie
Environmental News
As reported by Josie Gaskey, PACA's Director of Environmental, Safety & Health.
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Environmental News
EQB and Chapter 77 Noncoal Mining Regs
At the November 17th Environmental Quality Board (EQB) meeting, the EQB members voted to move the proposed Chapter 77 Noncoal Mining rulemaking package forward.

DEP is anticipating this being published in the PA Bulletin for public comment sometime in February 2021.

Should you have any questions or comments, contact Josie Gaskey.
Environmental News
PA DEP Class A Stream Redesignations
At the November 17th Environmental Quality Board (EQB) meeting, the Board voted to approve, as final, Class A Stream Redesignations (25 PA Code Chapter 93). See .pdf pages 4 and 5 for a map and list of new stream redesignations that include 44 streams and 222 miles of new redesignations to a Class A stream.

Should you have any questions or comments, contact Josie Gaskey.
PENNDOT News
PENNDOT News
PennDOT Requests Public Feedback on Transportation Funding
As part of its ongoing work to explore sustainable transportation options, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is requesting public feedback for the PennDOT Pathways Program. Information is accessible at www.penndot.gov/funding and feedback will be accepted through December 17, 2020.

"A safe and reliable transportation network is critical to quality of life for those who travel throughout our state," said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. "We take our responsibility as stewards of mobility very seriously, which is why we must explore our options."

The department faces an $8.1 billion gap in its annual highway and bridge transportation funding to keep the network in a state of good repair. Federal funding has remained essentially flat for several years despite rising inflation. Gas taxes, which comprise 74 percent of PennDOT's funding, have become increasingly unreliable.

Through the PennDOT Pathways program, the department is launching an extensive initiative to examine possible near- and long-term funding solutions – and how they could potentially work in Pennsylvania. As part of this program, PennDOT recently launched an alternative funding Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study as part of the PennDOT Pathways program to explore options for funding the maintenance and improvement of Pennsylvania's highways and bridges.

PennDOT encourages the public to review the information presented on its online engagement platform and to provide comments. Online comments can be submitted directly from the website, or through the below methods:

  • Email: [email protected]


  • Hotline: 717-325-6129


  • Mail: PA Department of Transportation, Keystone Building, 400 North St., Fifth Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120
For more information about PennDOT Pathways, visit www.penndot.gov/funding.

MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Campbell, 717-783-8800
PACA – Building and Connecting Communities