The Chapter 146 Association

P. O. Box 227

Lowell, MA 01853 
 

Dear Member, 
 

      Thanks so much for supporting us and our license law, M. G. L. Chapter 146. 

Feedback or Questions e-mail [email protected]

Membership Application	word document
Membership_Application	pdf format

      In the past 5 years that I have been active in supporting our organization, we’ve had to make several trips to the State House on Beacon Hill to protest unfavorable legislation. Any weakening of Chapter 146 means a down grading in what our license means to the steam engineering field and others licensed under Chapter 146.  
 

      A popular argument is the statement that, “Other states don’t have a license law and they are doing just fine.” The way I see it is that we are THE LEADERS for all the unlicensed states to follow. They are riding on our coattails and not the other way around. If they know how to operate power plants at all, it is because of our example. 
 

      On June 27, 2007, Joe Markowski, The Chapter 146 Association’s President, and I attended a State House hearing to voice our opposition to bill 1367 and 1372. We also had support from the Pipe Fitters Union #537 and the Plumbers Union. The committee was very interested in what we had to say. 
 

      Bill 1367 places the position of “Chief of Inspections" at the whim of the Commissioner. It downgrades the Division to departmental status and allows for no independent oversight of the department. Hidden in the bill was the requirement of Continuing Education for Refrigeration, Pipefitters, Sprinkler Fitters and Oil Burner technicians with no explanation as to what the courses or “Continued Education” would consist of. 
 

  Bill 1372 goes even further by placing the department under the State Fire Marshall’s office who will then determine who is qualified to sit for exams, what licenses will be held/issued, and the qualifications for inspectors.  The State Fire Marshall does not have the expertise to deal with why, what and how we do it what we do.  
 

      As of now, we have a SAY. Let’s keep it that way. 
 

Thanks Sincerely, 
 
Nicholas R. D’Alessandro

2007 Secretary, The Chapter 146 Association