Minutes of the Electricians’ Examining Board – March 17, 2017
ELECTRICIANS’ EXAMINING BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
Meeting Date: March 17, 2017
Meeting Location: Central Conference Room, State of Maine – Gardiner Annex
Northern Avenue, Gardiner, Maine
Meeting Began: 8:05 a.m.
Roll Call of Officers:
The following members were present:
Don Berry
Peter Wilson
Gerard Caron
Ryan Morgan
The following members were absent:
Brian McDougal
Earl Sherwood
The following staff was present:
Catherine Carroll, Board Administrator
Raymond Stanford, Senior Inspector
Donna Fairfield, Board Clerk
The following AAG was present:
Christopher Mann
Election of Officers
A motion was made to re-elect Brian McDougal as chairman.
Motion: Gerard Caron
Seconded: Ryan Morgan
Board Meeting Minutes
A motion was made to accept the November 18, 2016 minutes, as written.
Motion: Gerard Caron
Seconded: Ryan Morgan
Unanimous
Senior Inspector’s Report
Raymond Stanford reported that the inspectors have been very busy with permit inspections and complaints, in addition to assuming authority for electrical inspections for the town of Mechanic Falls. Raymond spoke of how he will be meeting with the DEP and Fire Marshal’s Office to discuss disconnects at dispensing fuel stations. He has been receiving an influx of inquiries from callers from out of state on low energy installations and the need for licenses and permits. Raymond has been working with PROV on making some revisions to the master and journeyman exams based on results of test takers’ answers to items.
Chapter 120 – Installation Standards
Raymond presented an analysis on cost elevators to adopting Article 210.8(B) GFCI protection which will only pertain to new construction or renovation and receptacles over 15 and 20 amperes.
A motion was made to initiate rulemaking, have staff draft Chapter 120 and to proceed with the executive review process.
Motion: Ryan Morgan
Seconded: Gerard Caron
Unanimous
A motion was made to adopt Article 210.8(B) with the exception of 3 phase receptacles and over 50 amperes.
Motion: Gerard Caron
Seconded: Don Berry
Unanimous
Adjudicatory Hearing On Appeal of Preliminary Denial of License – 2017-ELE-12893
Henry Piersing was present and not represented by counsel. Mr. Piersing was preliminary denied for a limited to low energy electrician license because he did not meet the requirements pursuant to 32 M.R.S. §1202. Mr. Piersing agreed to provide additional evidence that he is qualified for the license and will complete a 45 hour NEC course. A motion was made to table a decision for a future meeting.
Motion: Ryan Morgan
Seconded: Gerard Caron
Unanimous
Adjudicatory Hearing On Appeal of Preliminary Denial of License – 2016-ELE- 12748
Verne Gallant was present and not represented by counsel. Mr. Gallant was preliminary denied for a helper electrician license because he failed to disclose criminal convictions that occurred over ten years old on his application. He was offered a consent agreement which Mr. Gallant did not accept. Instead Mr. Gallant appealed the decision and requested a hearing. Mr. Gallant testified at the hearing saying that his failure to disclose the convictions was inadvertent, in part, because he thought that the Board would only be looking back ten years.
A motion was made to deny the appeal and uphold the Consent agreement.
Motion: Ryan Morgan
Seconded: Don Berry
Unanimous
Administrator’s Report
Catherine Carroll discussed the new supplemental form for the criminal background checklist that is being incorporated in the initial license applications. Catherine informed the board of LD1036, a bill to deregulate professions and occupations. Catherine asked the Board to verify that their rules do not address a time frame from when an individual passed the exam to when he/she applies for a license. Catherine will contact the Massachusetts Electrical Board to see where they stand on the Continuing Education Reciprocity Agreement.
2017 NEC Provider Approvals
Granite Edge Safety Training & Services- Live 15 hour update course
A motion was made to approve Granite Edge Safety Training & Services as a course provider.
Motion: Don Berry
Seconded: Gerard Caron
Opposed: Ryan Morgan
Thomas Cunningham- Live 15 hour update course
A motion was made to table a decision until information is provided on integrating common violations in the course.
Motion: Ryan Morgan
Seconded: Gerard Caron
Unanimous
Brian Ferria- Live 15 hour update course
A motion was made to approve Brian Ferria as a course provider upon receipt of the common violations that will be integrated into the course.
Motion: Gerard Caron
Seconded: Don Berry
Unanimous
John Marcizo- Live 15 hour update course
A motion was made to table a decision until information is provided on integrating common violations in the course.
Motion: Gerard Caron
Seconded: Ryan Morgan
Unanimous
James Rogers-Bay State
A motion was made to table a decision until the next Board meeting.
Motion: Gerard Caron
Seconded: Ryan Morgan
Unanimous
Other Business
It was noted that the 15 hour NEC update course does not cover information beneficial to individuals with limited licenses with the exception of house wiring. The Board may want to look into continuing education more suitable for those carrying limited licenses. There was a brief discussion that an individual does not qualify for a master license under provisions of §1201-A (3) and §1101 (2). Such individuals may qualify for a limited license in low energy, however.
Adjudicatory Hearing – 2016-ELE- 12743
Ronald Cote was present and not represented by counsel. Mr. Cote was preliminary denied to sit for the master examination because he had not shown class hours for the required course of Blue Print Reading/Drafting. The Board finds that Mr. Cote demonstrated sufficient class hours in Blue Print Reading/Drafting.
A motion was made to grant the appeal of Mr. Cote’s application to take the master electrician examination.
Motion: Gerard Caron
Seconded: Don Berry
Unanimous
Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 12:53
Respectfully submitted,
Donna T. Fairfield, Board Clerk
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