Arborist Advisory Council Meeting
June 12, 2006
Department of Agriculture, Augusta
Members Present
Wes Davis, Art Batson, Ted Armstrong, tish carr, Lois Stack
Members Not Present
Dave Newell, Bob Levesque
Staff Present
Bob Batteese, Debbie Davis, Ann Gibbs
Minutes
The Minutes from the March 20, 2006 were reviewed and approved.
Ann introduced Acting Director Bob Batteese to the Council. Most members know Bob from his position with the Pesticide Control Board.
Program Update
Debbie reported 24 people took the exam in April. The scores ranged from 67 to 93. 22 individuals passed at least one exam and 2 individuals did not pass the exam. The next arborist exam is scheduled for September 13. There have been lots of inquiries to take the exam.
Update on Recent Complaints
Debbie reported that Gil Lamarre was supposed to repay the people listed in the complaint by May 9. The week of May 1 two people called the office to say he had not paid them yet. Debbie asked them to call after the 9th to let the Department know if he had paid the money owed to them. On May 10 one person called to say that Gil Lamarre paid him $800 and that the envelope was postmarked on the 9th. On May 12 the other person called to say she had not been paid by the 9th. Debbie asked her to send a letter to the Department that would be forwarded to the Attorney General’s office. She sent the letter and it was forwarded to Mark Randlett, Assistant Attorney General.
Ann reported on a complaint from Beth Bisson about an arborist, Greg Roy. Ann described the details of the situation and there was a discussion about options and opinions were offered. This sounds like a claim against the arborist’s insurance not a licensing issue. Ted suggested that the Department document this incident for future reference. Ted also noted that his next President’s message in The Log would be about communications since this seems to be a communications issue not a licensing issue.
Distribution of MAA video
Ted has distributed videos to many towns. There is good geographic distribution. Ann explained to Bob the MAA Public Service Announcement has been distributed to local PEG (Public, Educational and Government) channels. Debbie suggested sending a tape to the PEG channel in the Biddeford area since most of our complaints are coming from that area of the state.
Update on Public Education
Lois distributed the survey questions and results of the survey. 5 groups of Master Gardeners were asked to fill out surveys in class. Lois went over the results of the survey. 103 people answered. 47 had hired an arborist. Where do we take this “educational campaign”? Ted suggested contacting free newspapers such as “The Forecaster”. Use an article that we already have. Send it to these newspapers. Art asked if the yellow pages would print a Public Service Announcement listing the Department of Agriculture’s website of licensed arborists. Art will speak with his contact at Verizon. tish will contact the Talking Phone Book Company. Lois will check her area to see what phone books are in Bangor. Debbie will provide a contact for the landlord association to ask if they could put an article in their newsletter.
A brochure about using licensed arborists was distributed to members. This brochure was distributed at Maine Gardening Day. The Council members were asked to look over the brochure and make comments or suggestions of any changes. This will be distributed at fairs and garden events.
Rotation of Council Members
The Council is at the end of its first three years. All the Council members should not change at the same time. Need continuity. Will change the membership for the second term and will have 1, 2 or 3 year terms. We want to make sure we have a full council present. The Dept will put together a list of attendance for the past 3 years. Art suggested we start to develop a list of people to potentially fill the slots and get recommendations from current members.
Further discussion regarding CEUs
There was an email sent for people to talk to their constituents to get opinions. Ted: in his opinion, those who are serious will do it. Others will do it only because they have to. Ted brought a Massachusetts Arborist Association application regarding CEUs and options for obtaining the CEUs. Wes checked with Bangor Hydro and Maine Public Service Company. He asked who would track the CEUs, who would hold classes, etc. Wes reported that Bangor Hydro thinks a person having insurance is the primary concern. Ted asked if there would be different standards for utility vs. landscape licensed arborists. Art reported that supervisors at Lucas Tree said this feels like repetition since many have ISA certificates that require CEUs. The field guy wants to know where to go and what he needs to do. Art questioned if there are enough new things to educate the licensees and the public. tish said we could say that Maine accepts ISA credits. Lois asked how many credits ISA requires per year. The answer is 30 credits over three years. tish and Art gave examples of ways people can earn credits. Ann said she thinks CEUs should be tracked through MAA because it is educational not regulatory. Lois said MELNA gives credits to board members as a way to get people to be board members. tish asked if the Council would continue to pursue CEUs and find a way to make it happen. Art suggested the Department have a re-test for arborists as it would be easier for staff than tracking CEUs, setting up opportunities, etc. Wes asked Bob what the Pesticide Control Board does for CEUs. Wes also asked if pesticide credits would count for arborists as well. Art suggested we survey existing licensees to determine if there is an education or training void and what is missing and address only the void. The survey could be at the MAA annual meeting and through license renewals. tish suggested we revisit this issue towards the end of year.
Short-term goals review
Ann distributed the list of short-term goals, listing 3 to be completed. Ann and tish will check on #1 of “to be completed”; Exams: different levels for entry personnel versus individuals who do it all. This refers to people who work on a crew vs. those who have their own business. Number 2 referred to public education, which is ongoing. Ann explained that for #3 there is now an option for people to renew their license for 2 or 3 years, but we don’t need to offer that service. If someone asks for this option the Department needs to comply. There was a discussion. tish asked if these were still valid short-term goals.
Update on ISA
tish reported that people are taking the ISA exam. There is no longer an option to “buy” an ISA certification without taking the exam. Discussed which states have state issued licenses.
Agenda Topics and dates for next meetings
Dates
Next meetings were already scheduled for September 18 and November 13. Ann asked the Council members if they wanted to change the time of the meeting and do we want to start earlier or later. The meeting times will still be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Topics
- educating licensed arborists about what each license category covers.
- MDOT and spec book listing licensed arborist needs to do work
- community outreach – promote using licensed arborists
- survey of arborists (send out with renewal forms)
- prep classes for exam
Other Business
tish recommended holding prep classes for the arborist exam. Could be done by volunteers. Could be held once a year. This should be discussed further at next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Debbie Davis
