Sweep to Sweep

Clam Bake for our General Membership Meeting, scheduled for Saturday, June 20th

2009-06-09T08:56:00.001-04:00

This will be held at the home of Dan and Jeannie Jacobson in Kingston.

Chimney Sweep Festival

2009-05-01T12:27:00.002-04:00

This weekend in Rochester England a chimney sweeps parade and all sorts of other events will take place to celebrate the traditional Sweep's holiday.

http://www.medway.gov.uk/sweeps2009_new2_lr.pdf

It's a little late to make travel plans. But I had never heard of this before and thought some of you would find it interesting.

Educating the Inspectors

2009-04-06T14:50:00.003-04:00

I was recently invited by Mike Mendoza, the Building Inspector of Carver, to speak to the Mass. Federation of Building Officials. This two day symposium included building inspectors, state fire officials, the BBRS, the Dept. of Public Safety and many others. It wasn't until a week before I was to speak, that I found out that it was to be six, ninety minute presentations, split up into 2 days. I quickly downloaded the presentation for Home Inspectors from the CSIA website, but realized that I was going to need help with doing 6 presentations, so I called Rich Rua of A Traditional Sweep to see if he could help me out.

Mike Mendoza, Carver Building Inspector, myself and Dan at the end of a presentation.

My reasoning for choosing Rich was because not only is he a Board member, but he is a CSIA instructor and very familiar with this type of presentation. I met with Rich at his home, where Dan and I were treated to a wonderful meal of roast chicken. Normally I wouldn't be bothered telling you what I had for dinner, however it's a different story when you eat at Rich's house.
Rich has spent his "off hours" completely constructing a new "professional" kitchen, complete with an 8 foot hooded stove/grill. But the highlight was to see that he has also built outside. Off his back deck is a restaurant stove/grill and a brick oven that looked like something right out of Bertuccis. It was in this brick oven that Rich broiled up two whole chickens that where the best I've tasted in years. I also want to thank Christine who was a wonderful hostess and helped serve up fresh steamed asparagus and roasted red bliss potatoes with baby carrots. I was having such a good time I almost forgot that I had traveled to Rich's to go over the presentation with him for pointers and to make sure we were all on the same page.

Rich Rua during one of the presentations to Building Officials.

It was only after watching Rich do the first presentation that I realized that he was going to be a lot better at this than I was. Even though the original plan was to split up the presentations, Rich did 90% of them. I did do an introduction at the beginning of each presentation and Dan and I did field questions, however it was Rich who really did all the work and I want to thank him tremendously for his help and participation with this. I am also happy to report that I had the chance to speak to the Vice-President of the Mass. Fed. of Building Officials and was invited to attended their monthly meetings and speak to them again as a group. We were also approached by three other building officials who asked if we would do the presentation for their area building inspectors as well. It was after my first introduction where I had mentioned that there was no licensing for this industry in the State, that a Board member of the BBRS recommended we come see them again. During lunch, I also went over and said hello to Tom Riley, Code Development Mgr. of the BBRS, who has been one of our best proponents in this matter.

During the one break that we had in the two days, Rich, Dan and I attended one of the classes on licensing, given by the Dept. of Public Safety. We learned that as of July 9, 2009, the Home Improvement Contractors complaint division is moving to the Dept. of Consumer Affairs. There have also been some minor changes in HIC and CSL licensing and contracts, and I feel that this may be another seminar the Guild should offer the membership to make sure that we are all in compliance with these rules.

Again, a great big thank you to Rich Rua, and my husband Dan Jacobson for their help in making what I feel was a very successful two days of education to building officials in the State of Mass from the Mass. Chimney Sweep Guild.

Respectfully submitted by,

Jean Jacobson, President

President's Report

2009-03-23T16:19:00.000-04:00

Happy Spring to All,

Well, I can only hope that things get better in 2009. Last year, like many of you, we had a surge of business when the oil prices skyrocketed, only to stop just as quickly when they went down. My busy season was good, but it dropped off as well as soon as the end of the year came. Like most of you (I hope) I put away a few bucks to help us get through the dry times, and I'm happy to say that since my company is incorporated, Dan is an employee of the company and entitled to unemployment benefits. If anyone has had any thoughts about incorporating, there are a lot of pros to this and I highly recommend it, but I know it's not for everyone.
But on to 2009. As of today, I have only one more Board of Directors meeting and then the final General Membership meeting in June before my 5 years as President of this Guild comes to an end. Elections are once again around the corner. We have two people running for President. David O'Shea, of All About Chimneys was first to take a nomination right from the beginning, and then we received a last minute nomination for Charles Koubek of Eurosweep Chimney. Good luck to both of you. The Treasurer's position is unopposed, but we received 6 nominations for 3 Board seats. It was really great to see a little bit more enthusiasm in regard to positions on the Board. As I have said many times in the past (and probably not for the last time either), since I have been a member of this Guild I have seen the same faces on the Board and as Directors. All we seem to do is rotate. From time to time a new face comes along, but they haven't taken the commitment to the position seriously and have left.
You need to take the position seriously if you accept a nomination. We have several Board meetings a year, and four General Membership meetings. These meetings are held every couple of months and require only a few hours of your time. This Guild is a non-profit organization that runs with the help of volunteers and we can always use help. Even if you do not take a position on the Board, you can come to a meeting and see if there's a committee you can help with. Anything you can do is greatly appreciated.
Since my last report, Dan and I did attend the National Convention in Winston-Salem NC. Despite a pretty bumpy ride home due to the storm, we had a great time and a specific report is forthcoming in this newsletter. Dan also attended a great ladder safety seminar at Lynn Ladder on March 7th. Other than that it's been a pretty quiet winter, and with SPRING only hours away as I speak, I am about to send out my Forward Scheduling reminder cards in hopes to jump start the second quarter of the year.
So here are a few things that you need to SAVE THE DATE for;

Wednesday, May 20th is the next Board of Directors meeting here at my house in Kingston.

Saturday, June 20th is when the Annual Meeting AND Summer Picnic will take place. It will be held here at my home as it has been in previous years. I requested this due to fact that it will be my last day as President and we usually have a pretty good turn out when they are held here by the pool. I am hoping to have a clam bake, but I am only in the preliminary stages.

But once again, I highly recommend you attend Sweepsfest in Newmarket NH. This is being held the last weekend in June. The Sootprints will be playing again, and from the looks of the agenda I see that we are in for some great seminars! The following month, again in the last weekend of July, will be the New York State Guild Annual Workshop. I will bring you more details as they become available, but please SAVE THESE DATES so you don't miss out!!! Also, we are developing some really great seminars so look for those notices in the mail as well on the website/blog.

Until then, have a wonderful Easter and Happy Spring to All!!

Jean Jacobson, President

It’s time for the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild’s CSIA Certification and Review

2009-03-23T16:14:00.004-04:00

When: June 6, 2009
Time: 10am (lunch will be provided)
Where: Taunton Holiday Inn, Taunton, MA

To sign up:
1. Please fill out the bottom portion of this form and mail it, along with a $50.00 registration fee (per person) made payable to the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild, to A Traditional Sweep 72 Viking Drive Portsmouth, RI 02871. Deadline for registration is Friday May 29, 2009.

Certification Review and Exam

2009-03-23T16:14:00.001-04:00

Submitted by Richard Rua

An unofficial review session will take place on Saturday June 6, 2009 in Taunton, MA. Following the review will be the certification exam. Please note that the certification exam will be changing soon and I encourage anyone who is ready to take the exam to do so now before the changes take place. In order to sit for the exam you must contact the National Chimney Sweep Guild to register for a proctored exam a minimum of 30 days before the exam.

National Convention Report

2009-03-23T14:23:00.028-04:00

Our trip down was uneventful and we arrived Tuesday afternoon at the Embassy Suites in Winston-Salem NC. Once we were settled in our room, we met up with George & Kim Stroup (George is our Regional director) at what turned out to be a nightly reception the hotel gave each evening where persons staying at the hotel received a couple of free drinks and appetizers. Also with us were John & Lisa Podreca who are past Guild members who migrated down to No. Carolina a few years ago and it was great to see them again. We took someone's advise and went next door to the Mellow Mushroom for pizza. Kim's choice was "The Magical Mystery Tour" and I'm still trying to figure out what kind of mushrooms were on that pizza and why she was smiling all night!!!

George & Kim Stroup

The next morning Dan and I attended the Annual General Membership meeting as well as the CSIA informational meeting. I was ironic to see the National Guild having the same problems as we do trying to get enough voting members to a meeting for a quorum, but they finally did it. There was no quorum in Reno last year, so we went over two reports. It was there that Randy Brooks, current President of National, announced that next year the National convention will be held in Indianapolis. The highlight of the CSIA informational meeting was that CSIA has paid it's debt off to National for money they borrowed.
"Sooty" Bob Daniels was the Keynote Speaker this year and the address this year was "The Building Business Hall of Fame". In this address, Bob mentioned a number of people who's ideas helped build this industry. Mentioned was Fred Toldo, who the Mass. Guild has had an educational award named, that was given in past years. Also mentioned was Roland Robideaux, a former Mass. Guild member who's idea of "Forward Scheduling" is used by many sweeps now.
After the annual Group Photo was taken, I was able to round up all but one of the Mass. Guild members who attended.

Back Row: George & Kim Stroup, Erin Biscoe, Bob Searles, Judd Berg, Tom Biscoe, Mike Dhembe, Rich Buffone, Maureen Buffone
Front Row: Rich Rua, Billy Sweet, Jean Jacobson, Dan Jacobson, Mike Elliott (missing is Dave Bancroft)

Later that afternoon I attended the State Presidents Forum. I believe that due to some glitch, announcements of this meeting were never sent out and therefore the meeting was poorly attended. However it did give those who did attend a lot more time with Randy Brooks to talk about what's going on in our respective Guilds.
In the evening I attended the Presidents Reception. This years reception was combined with the "Meet and Greet" for the foreign attendees. It also had something that's never been there before and that's our own Sootprints who played acoustically. However the highlight of the evening was a Barney Fife & Gomer Pyle impersonators. The had a lot of fun joking with the attendees as well as the band. A few tables had also been set up for Pass the Pigs, which is traditionally played at conventions.

The Sootprints at the Presidents Reception

"Barney Fife" had a few words to say about the band.

Judd Berg & friends also played a rousing round of Pass the Pigs!!

The next day I was fortunate to attend one of the seminars in the morning before the opening session of the Tradeshow. It was finally time to see and talk to the people that you only get to see but once or twice a year.

Sooty Bob Daniels and Cathy Rocque of Copperfield Chimney Supply

Richard Payton of ICP

Jim Gillam of SNEWS Magazine & Russ Moore

Chuck Philips of Lindemann Chimney Supply doing what he does best

Pierre Simard of National Chimney Supply

Edmund Popolowski of Olympia Chimney Supply

Later that evening, Dan and I plus 6 others were treated to a fabulous meal at the Camel City Cafe by Chuck Phillips of Lindemann Chimney Supply. We want to thank him again for another memorable evening of food, friends and family!

When we got back to the hotel, Dan and I found that the rest of the band had set up in the Piano Lounge so he went and got his "drums". Then the band, and any other person who had an instrument or the nerve to sing, played and sang well after midnight.

The next morning was the closing session of the Trade Show where we had to say quick good-byes to a lot of the vendors who travel home right after the show. Once the trade show floor was broken down, it was time to set up for the Auction. The auction "theme" was NASCAR, and the "pit crews" wasted no time setting up for the event.

This year Judd Berg ran the auction. We tried something different this year, and Dan & I ran a small "silent auction" while the regular auction was running. Since Randy Atkinson, who has been our auctioneer for many years, no long "sweeps" and therefore doesn't attend conventions, this year we had 3 auctioneers. Our "head" auctioneer was John Pilger. The fact that John had just gotten out of the hospital after having quadruple by-pass surgery, speaks of his dedication and commitment to this industry. Great job John!

Auctioneer #2 who graciously let John take a few breaks was Ashley Eldridge.

The next morning I slept in a bit and got caught up with a little paperwork. Then it was time for the Sootprints to set up and do sound checks. A great big thank you goes out to Chuck & Cindy Phillips and Adam Chapman who were their sound and light technicians.

Adam Chapman, Chuck & Cindy Phillips

Here are Dan and I ready for the evening festivities.
While the band played an instrumental of Pink Floyd's "The Wall", the evening begin with a procession line that ended with Randy & Traci Brooks.

Here Mike Elliott, who was lucky enough to be on the crew of "Sweep the White House" last August, watches as an American Flag is presented to the National Guild.

Below are highlights of the evening

Billy Sweet and friends

Michelle & Adam Chapman

Me with Yvette Aube' from Canada

Enjoying the evening was Judd Berg

Rich Buffone, Bob Searles, Dan Jacobson, Rick Vollmer, Erin Biscoe & Tom Biscoe AKA "The Sootprints"

Treasurers Report

2009-03-23T14:22:00.002-04:00

Lindemann Seminar

2009-03-23T14:15:00.001-04:00

Click to see full size flier.

Chatham family treated for carbon monoxide

2009-03-23T14:05:00.001-04:00

Chatham family treated for carbon monoxide poisoning Officials
discovered an object stuck in a home's flue was the cause of four cases
of carbon monoxide poisoning.

story

Ladder Safety and Scaffolding Safety Courses

2009-03-23T12:07:00.005-04:00

March 7, 2009

By Billy Sweet
Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep
billy@billysweetchimneysweep.com
Vice-President
Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild

The Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild sponsored a Ladder Safety and a Scaffolding Safety Course today. Kudos to Jeannie Jacobson, our president for thinking of providing courses for the members of the Guild, as a way of providing value to our members. Usually this course costs $25, but thanks to her foresight and Alan’s generosity, we are able to give you this benefit for no cost. This is a great deal!

Alan Kline and the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild. Billy Sweet photo.

I also thank Alan Kline, president of Lynn Ladder Corp. of Lynn, Massachusetts. Alan generously contributed his time and resources to the Guild.

Alan Kline, of Lynn-Ladder Corp. Billy Sweet photo.

I mean to say Alan was very generous. Not only did he give us his knowledge and his good humor, he gave T-shirts, hats, a ladder-offset, a step ladder, and a chicken ladder away in a raffle for all attending. A big shout-out to Alan Kline and Lynn-Ladder!

Lynn Ladder is the most innovative and forward thinking of five ladder and scaffolding corporations in the United States. They combine technical competence and careful regard for the technician’s safety with the best customer service. I repeat: the best customer service. I personally have used Lynn Ladder products since 1980. They are a class act. Get to know them. Use them.

Twenty Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild members and two new member applicants attended the Ladder Safety Course and the Scaffolding Safety Course. David O’Shea, who is running unopposed, and will be our next president, and his business partner Ken Testa attended, as did Tim Martinson, our secretary.

Dan Jacobson, our treasurer, and certified guild rock star paid his dues.

Jeff Ludlow, a member of the Board of Directors and three of his employees, Steven Drew, Evan Parke, and Peter Spears were there.

Jeff Ludlow and crew. Billy Sweet photo.

Anthony Glew and Charissa Ray, and Derek Hanna, a Guild Director, and Chris Pervier showed. John and Justin O’Donnell came.

Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep had six employees and five Chimney Safety Institute of America Certified Chimney Sweeps attending. The CSIA certified sweeps were Ed Harrigan, Jon White, Eric Hanson, Josh Jordan, and Billy Sweet. Sean McGillecuddy attended and is working on his CSIA certification.

Left to right: Eric Hanson, Joe Briggs, Peter Chretien, David O’Shea, Sean McGillecuddy, Derek Hannah, Ken Testa, Josh Jordan, and Ed Harrigan. Billy Sweet photo.

Two new member applicants attended as well, Pat Hart and Joe Briggs. Welcome!

The Ladder User Safety and Hazard Awareness Course is for employees that perform work while using portable of fixed ladders. This program covers the proper selection, care, and use of both portable and fixed ladders, with respect to both the OSHA laws and ANSI standards. The Scaffold User Safety and Hazard Awareness Course is for employees that perform work while on a scaffold. The program covers scaffold safety with regard to falls, falling objects, electrocution, unsafe access, and collapse. The emphasis is on hazard identification and accident prevention.

CEU’s were available for CSIA certification and for NFI certification. If you work on ladders, OSHA expects you and your employees to attend the Ladder Safety Course. If you work on scaffolding, OSHA expects you and your employees to have attended this Scaffolding Safety Course. Contact Billy, at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, 617-469-4528, or billy@billysweetchimneysweep.com, for more information about when the next Ladder Safety and Scaffolding Safety Courses are held.

Furthermore, if you erect scaffolding, know OSHA expects you or whoever erects scaffolding in your company to have attended a Scaffold Competent Person Safety Training. This course is for employees, supervisors, and foremen who erect scaffolds and oversee scaffold erection. It centers around frame scaffolds, while including sections on system scaffolds, tube and coupler scaffolds, as well as a section on carpenter’s scaffolds. This course covers all the safety aspects regarding scaffold components, foundation requirements, regulations, fall protection systems, access methods, estimating, and erection and dismantling techniques. Emphasis is placed on a hands-on experience. It is a 6-7 hour course.

The Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild will be sponsoring a Scaffold Competent Person Safety Training soon. Contact Billy, at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, 617-469-4528, or billy@billysweetchimneysweep.com, for more information about the Scaffold Competent Person Safety Training Course.

I challenge you to align with the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild. Have for yourself, and provide for your employees the best in safety and competence training. After all, for the success of your chimney business, who is more important than you and your techs?

Register for Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild sponsored OSHA and ANSI approved safety courses. Contact Billy, at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, 617-469-4528, or info@billysweetchimneysweep.com, for more information.

Chimney Fire in the News

2009-02-13T14:37:00.000-05:00

Couple killed by chimney fire in Plymouth

Upcoming Seminars

2009-02-12T17:14:00.000-05:00

the Mass. Guild will be sponsoring a seminar titled "Ladder User Safety & Hazard Awareness" on Saturday, March 7th

at Lynn Ladder in Lynn. This seminar is free for the first two members of each Guild company and there will be $25.00 per person charge for more than two persons in a company or for persons who are not a member of the Guild if they wish to attend. Your registration forms will be coming shortly from Billy Sweet who is our seminar coordinator, so be on the look out for that if you want to attend this great seminar.

Also, the next General Membership Meeting is being held on Wednesday, March 18th at the Holiday Inn in Taunton. We plan on having speakers there to talk about OSHA and what to expect when an accident has occurred, as well as Oliver Beauchemin, who will talk about the importance of the Guild subscribing to a Search Engine Optimization program and how it will benefit each member. Your announcement for this meeting will be coming in the mail soon as well.

If you have any questions regarding the Lynn Ladder Seminar, you can contact Billy Sweet at billy@billysweetchimneysweep.com.

President's Report

2009-01-14T09:58:00.003-05:00

I hope that this newsletter finds you all happy and healthy so far in this New Year. 2008 was a year of extreme highs and lows, i.e., gas & oil prices, the stock market, and the sale and installation of solid fuel appliances, but before we look forward to 2009, let's take a look back at 2008 for a moment.

Early in the year we had one of the most profitable NortheastRegional Conventions in Mystic, CT. Due to several business factors, the committee chose to disband, however this convention netted our Guild $14,639.00. Soon after, we lost a fellow sweep in New York, Shawn Simboli, in a horrible snowmobile accident. Soon spring broke and as we all scrambled to get our businesses back up and running, the summer brought us Sweepsfest in NH, and theNew York Summer Workshop. It was at this workshop that we celebrated the life of Shawn as well as others who had passed in our lives. Although somber at times, and wet as usual, a great time was had by all, especially those of us that took part in the motorcycle trips that were planned by Tom Biscoe, Paul Deveny and Greg Polakow. Summer was also when Mike Elliott suffered serious injuries in a bicycle accident, and as you all know, we had a "Sweep One for Mike" campaign. This allowed us to send a check to the Elliotts for $2,500.00. Mike eventually recovered from his injuries well enough to go to Washington, DC to "Sweep the White House" and we couldn't have been happier for him.

It wasn't very long after that, that we saw gas prices reach over $4.00 a gallon and heating oil there as well. Due to this, the sale of pellet and wood stoves sky rocketed and so did the stove installations. But as soon as those prices went down, so did the phone calls, however based on the rest of the economy these days, I can't complain.

The Guild sponsored a Thermocrete seminar in July, and as you can see by Billy Sweet's report, we plan on having a great deal of seminars in2009, so look for that information soon.

Last, but not least, we had our annual Holiday Party at the Radisson Hotel in Hyannis. Once again, I found the accommodations, the food, and those who attended made for one heck of a weekend for Dan and I. I'd like to thank the Sootprints once again for playing for us that night as well as the generosity of those who took part in our auction which netted the Guild close to $2,500.00. If you do business with any of the distributors that donated to the auction, please thank them the next time you place an order. I have sent out "thank you" certificates, but a little extra thank you never hurts!

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but that brings my 2008 wrap up to and end. Now, what to look forward to in 2009. Well, for immediate starters, I looking forward to the snow to stop! Although a little snow in the winter is nice, I think Mother Nature has taken it a little too far already.

Dan and I plan on attending the National Chimney Sweep Guild Convention in Winston-Salem, NC at the end of February. I will be attending as Guild President, and Dan is attending as a band member. The Sootprints were hired to play at the banquet, as well as a social function and we're really excited about going down. I'm hoping to be able to see John & Lisa Prodreca who "migrated" down there a few years ago from Mattapoisett.

In March, we will be having the last General Membership meeting before the elections in June. As I have indicated previously, it is imperative that you take a good look at what you can do for the Guild, not what it can do for you. You cannot have one without the other. This Guild does not run by itself and if you could find it in yourself to donate a few hours 5 or 6 times a year to keep building this Guild and its potential, then I guarantee you will not be disappointed. We are currently looking for people to run for President, Treasurer, and 3 Board seats. If you would like to be nominated, but cannot attend the March meeting, just contact any Board of Director, Officer or myself and we'd be more than happy to do it for you, but please take the nomination seriously and if you take a position, please be ready to serve.

Well, that's it for now. I'll be writing up only one more report before my term as President ends, so I'm going to keep my self positive and hope that the last report is full of wonderful things that have happened to the Guild, this industry and hopefully for the entire economy.

My best for a healthy and Happy New Year
.Jean Jacobson

Vice President’s Report

2009-01-14T09:56:00.000-05:00

January 8, 2009

Hello MCSG members!

I hope you had a busy and profitable season, and I pray we all have a happy and successful new year.

That being said, well the phones ring a lot less this January than last January. And the weather is having a big impact on our ability to get out to work. Still, we are trooping along.

Alan Kline, of Lynn Ladder would love to host a ladder and scaffolding safety seminar for us. He wants to have it at his facility in Lynn, and we will be scheduling shortly. I’ll have most if not all of my people there as he does a great job and I always learn a lot. Stay tuned into the MCSG website for more info.

Jeff Wright of Chimneysavers in Saugus has had quite an experience with OSHA. He is willing to talk to us about it and answer questions. I was shocked (really, no kidding) when I heard all he had to deal with. All I could think was there but for the grace of God go I. It could happen to me, it could happen to you. You will want to hear what he has to say, and consider it in light of your own best practices. I can think of no greater contribution this Guild can make to you than to prepare you for what to do if it happens to you. Jeff is smart, articulate, careful, and he has good people working for him. Yet OSHA has been a huge drain on his resources and his profitability this year. Don’t miss this opportunity to become aware of the consequences of a little mistake gone wild. This too we will be scheduling soon, check the MCSG website.

Jeff Ludlow of August West has a similar story to tell, perhaps we can combine them in one presentation with lunch. Again, check the website.

Some of you may want us too seek out presentations on something, or know someone who can teach us. Please contact me should you have an idea you want to discuss. You can reach me at my office at 781-593-2333.

Good luck in the new year!

Respectfully,

Billy Sweet
Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep

News from MOC - Citizens Energy Program Back On

2009-01-14T09:54:00.004-05:00

Massachusetts Oilheat Council
Legislative & Regulatory NewsletterJanuary 7, 2009
Citizens Energy Program Update

Citizens Energy Program Back On
MOC reported in a Legislative & Regulatory Update yesterday on an announcement made by former Congressman Joe Kennedy on the indefinite suspension of this years Citizens Energy Oilheat Program. The announcement was spurred by Kennedy's concern over the possible loss of oil donations from Venezuelan government-owned CITGO.

Today, however, CITGO and Citizens Energy announced that the program would continue as planned despite major budget concerns for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Chavez relies on oil revenue to fund the country's numerous social spending programs, and concern over funding these programs was mounting as a result of major oil revenue losses suffered since prices began their free fall following record highs this past July.

At MOC we strive to keep you up-to-date on the issues that directly affect your business. The following is the latest legislative and regulatory news concerning the Massachusetts Oilheat industry and its consumers.

In the statement made today by CITGO Chief Executive Alejandro Granado it was explained that, despite a funding crunch, donations to the Citizens Energy Oilheat Program would not be rescinded. The decision to continue the program "is the result of a strong commitment and a big effort on the part of Citgo and our shareholders in light of the current global financial crisis and its impact on the oil industry in general" said Granado.

The announcement came as a great relief to Joe Kennedy, employees of the Citizens Energy Program, low income advocates and low income residents alike. MOC played a major role in the creation of the Citizens Energy Oilheat program and is pleased that it will continue uninterrupted this season. The program is set to begin January 19th, 2009.

Click here to read Joe Kennedy's official statement.
Click here to read the Boston Globe story.

2009-01-14T08:58:00.000-05:00

Don't Wait Until the Last Minute!
Register Today For Discounted Registration
Just a few weeks remain until discounted rates are no longer available for NCSG Innovation 2009 registration. Discounts at the NCSG host hotels are available through January 23. The Embassy Suites block is full and the inquiries at the Marriott keep coming in. Don't be left behind! Make plans to attend today! Registration is open at www.ncsg.org/innovation or just give us a call at (317) 837-1500.

Registration discounts end on January 30. Hotel discounts end on January 23.

Check out the complete schedule online at www.NCSG.org/innovation.

Pictures from Thermocrete Workshop

2009-01-13T10:05:00.001-05:00

"All About Chimneys and Ventech Industries Inc. sponsered an informative seminar for MA Guild members to introduce them to the Thermocrete and Smoktite line of products. This revolutionary ceramic spray was designed to quickly and easily repair damaged tile liners, but also can be used to coat and seal unlined flues and unlined smoke chambers. David O'Shea of All About Chimneys has been using this product since its inception in North America and has found it to be a valuable addition to his services.
More information on Thermocrete can be found at www.thermocreteusa.com."

All About Chimneys - In The News

2009-01-12T11:50:00.001-05:00

http://www.salemnews.com/pulife/local_story_014003920.html?keyword=topstory

Slide Show

2009-01-09T04:17:00.000-05:00

I'd be happy to add more pictures to this slideshow. If you have pictures you'd like to see here just send them over. If you have a lot of pictures in a public album online I might be able to post another slideshow from that.

Member in the News

2009-01-08T11:15:00.001-05:00

It's 'flue' season: Chimney sweeps can help prevent house fires

By Dan O'Brien / The Daily Item

Dave O'Shea was startled but not shocked when he read an Item article Jan. 2 about a house fire in Marblehead that firefighters said began in a chimney flue.Lots of house fires begin in poorly maintained chimneys, but firefighters said the New Year's Day fire occurred in a chimney that was inspected only two days earlier.John and Joanne Nestor of 32 Beverly Ave. suffered about $50,000 worth of damages after fire spread from the chimney through the walls.O'Shea, a Marblehead chimney sweeper who is on the board of directors for the Massachusetts Chimney Sweeping Guild, said there is no law in Massachusetts that requires chimney sweepers to be licensed."What boggles my mind is that painters have to be licensed, but not us," O'Shea said. "We're looked at as having a quaint, 'Dick Van Dyke' image but we're very skilled at what we do."O'Shea is the co-owner of All About Chimneys, of 4 Beringer Way, Marblehead, and warns homeowners to only hire chimney sweepers proven to be certified by the Mass. Chimney Sweeping Guild or the Chimney Safety Inspectors of America, who take rigorous exams on chimney inspection every three years.
= 1208322000) && (nAdsysTime = 1187326800) && (nAdsysTime = 1228716000) && (nAdsysTime = 1228284000) && (nAdsysTime = 1226642400) && (nAdsysTime = 1227160800) && (nAdsysTime
The Mass. Chimney Sweeping Guild's Web site (http://www.mcsguild.org/) provides a list of reputable sweepers on the North Shore.The guild has been fighting for the state legislature to require all chimney sweepers in Massachusetts to have a license, O'Shea said."We have fought for licensing for many, many years," O'Shea said. "We've gone before the legislature and said, 'Please, license us.'"O'Shea said this season he's observed more "fly by night" companies that aren't reputable and taking advantage of homeowners in tough financial times.
"There's no recourse for the home owner," he said. "I think because of the economy there are a lot more fly-by-nighters. We have little to combat that because there is no official licensing."Experienced sweepers first do a close visual inspection of the chimney, including its flues and liners, on the first visit to make sure there are no cracks or other damage, O'Shea said. A second inspection would require cameras to take a closer look while a third inspection might require taking the chimney apart to thoroughly examine it."There can be a lot of hidden defects nobody knows anything about until something bad happens," he said.The two non-profits mentioned are going to do everything they can this year to pass a law allowing licensing of sweepers before another house fire occurs, considering the seriousness of working with gas and oil heat while inspecting a chimney, O'Shea said."If those aren't working properly a homeowner could have serious problems with loss of property of life," he said.

Need CSIA Certification?

2009-01-08T11:13:00.000-05:00

We're having a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep review on January 23!

It will be held at:
Publick House - Historic Inn & Country Motor Lodge
Route 131, P.O. Box 187
Sturbridge, MA 01566-0187

Phone: (508) 347-7323 Sleeping Rooms – Inn ($99); Hill ($79)Both include coffee and pastry in the morning at the Tavern.www.publickhouse.com

Thanks in advance! :)
Happy holidays!
Melissa

Melissa Heeke
Director of Communications & Marketing
Chimney Safety Institute of America
www.csia.org
Office: (317) 837-5362 x 105• Fax: (317) 837-5365

Mass. man dies when raccoon blocks furnace exhaust

2009-01-08T11:11:00.000-05:00

December 22, 2008

SANDWICH, Mass.—Sandwich police say a 62-year-old man has been found dead in his home, apparently the victim of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a dead raccoon blocking his furnace exhaust.
The Cape Cod Times reports that police went to the man's home Sunday morning to perform a well-being check.
When they entered the home they found him dead. The fire department found high levels of carbon monoxide when it took readings inside the home.
The man's name was not immediately released.
Investigators found that a raccoon had crawled down the flue to the gas furnace and died, blocking the exhaust.
Officials say there were no carbon monoxide or smoke detectors in the home.
------
Information from: Cape Cod Times, http://www.capecodonline.com
© Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

More Holiday Party Photos

2008-12-10T10:54:00.000-05:00

Mass Oil Heat Council Newsletter

2008-12-08T09:34:00.005-05:00

MOC Newsletter

More Holiday Party pictures

2008-12-07T16:27:00.000-05:00

Silent Auction

2008-12-07T16:21:00.000-05:00

The silent auction put together by Jeannie Jacobson had many great items donated by vendors and members. Watch for a complete report on the auction in the next few days.

The Sootprints

2008-12-07T16:13:00.001-05:00

This years entertainment at the Holiday Party was exceptional. A performance from the Sootprints was a great after dinner treat. The all chimney sweep band played all the favorites including the Decemberists "Chimbley Sweep". Thanks guys. We know you'll rock them down in Winston-Salem at the National Convention!

Chimney Sweeps Decked out for the Holiday Party

2008-12-07T15:59:00.001-05:00

Mike and Michelle Elliot

Mike's Chimney Sweep Bling!

Mike Elliott, Charles Koubek, and Anthony Glew dressed and ready to party.

Member on TV News

2008-09-20T17:35:00.003-04:00

If you missed it you can still watch online. WBZ4 aired a short interview with Loreen Koubek of Eurosweep. Loreen did a great job of hitting on important points. She even got the MCSG a plug. Check out the links on the page below and you'll notice that MCSG is there 3 times throughout the story. Nice job Loreen!

http://wbztv.com/curious/chimney.dangers.heating.2.820860.html

Duxbury Chimney Sweep and MCSG in the News

2008-09-11T08:30:00.002-04:00

Read the article in the Patriot Leger.

Mike Elliot in the News - again

2008-09-03T19:18:00.004-04:00

Read the story in the Webster Times

Keep them coming. There's bound to be a lot of stories out there about the local chimney sweep who went and swept the Whitehouse Chimneys with the team picked by the NCSG.

NCSG Launches a New Contest

2008-08-29T16:46:00.003-04:00

I love being a chimney sweep because...

VIDEO CONTEST

Watch the contest intro from Mark McSweeney, NCSG's Executive Director.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3DJ4zTaP68

Stereotypes about chimney sweeps abound and videos found on YouTube aren't helping. Sure it's cute to think of sweeps as guys who sing and dance on rooftops, but we know that there's so much more to being a chimney sweep than clever choreography.

OUR CHALLENGE
Break the stereotype of the Disney-esque chimney sweep.

THE FIRST STEP
Create a video completing the statement: "I love being a chimney sweep because..."

THE GENERAL GUIDELINES
1. Entrants must own or be employed by an NCSG member company.
2. Videos should be no longer than 1 minute in length.
3. Entries must close with the NCSG trademark and URL(www.NCSG.org).

THE OFFICIAL RULES
By submitting video, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the official contest rules found here.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Send your video (.wmv, .avi, .mov or .mpg only) with title, your name and company name via email to mheeke@ncsg.org by the end of day September 30, 2008 with "NCSG Video Contest" in the subject line.

WHAT'S ON THE LINE
Winners will have their videos posted on the NCSG website and will be announced in the October issue of eNewslink. Of course, the winners also receive bragging rights and the knowledge that they're making a difference in the way chimney sweeps are viewed today.

Grand prize
One year NCSG membership, NCSG Innovation 2009 convention registration (Winston-Salem 2009), "Best Picture 2008" trophy and accolades online at www.NCSG.org

1st Runner Up
NCSG Innovation 2009 convention registration (Winston-Salem 2009), mention in Sweeping and accolades online at www.NCSG.org

Honorable Mention
Mention in Sweeping and accolades online at www.NCSG.org

QUESTIONS?
Please contact Melissa Heeke, NCSG Director of Communications & Marketing at mheeke@ncsg.org

YouTube is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries.

A Nice Article About One of Our Members

2008-08-28T16:49:00.001-04:00

http://www.wickedlocal.com/carver/news/x1806341163/Burning-desire

MA State Position on Chimney Inspection?

2008-08-23T09:50:00.004-04:00

http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/dfs/osfm/pubed/flyers/hhs_oct07_trifold.pdf

The above flyer put out by the state talks about having an annual inspection of the chimney flue by a "qualified mason" and having the chimney cleaned. It never mentions chimney sweeps or CSIA or any other certification.

I researched this after reading this article in the Metrowest Daily News. Which although mentions chimney sweeps as workers who can be found through word of mouth and should be associated with a national trade association, never mentions certification. Also it says that the state plans to make a list of masons available online so homeowners can contact them for chimney inspections.

I think it might be important in the near future to revisit the guilds Power Point presentation and start taking it out to Fire Departments, Home Inspectors, Realtors, and Town Building Inspectors.

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps are educated and tested on different levels of chimney inspection. They see, daily, the condition of chimney flues after use. This makes them uniquely qualified to perform chimney inspections.

I'd like the BOD to consider appointing an Outreach Committee to contact, visit and educate the above mentioned professionals. Perhaps even a brochure mailing to Fire Cheifs and Building Inspectors with an invitation to meet with a Guild representative could be an immediate step to start the process.

Just like with advertising in our businesses, if we stop our outreach education people will forget who we are and what we do.

Stacie Shippey
Newsletter Editor
Cherry Valley Chimney Sweep - Leicester

Mike Elliot in the News

2008-08-21T07:56:00.001-04:00

http://www.telegram.com/article/20080815/NEWS/808150488/1004/NEWS04

Regarding the Future of the MCSG

2008-08-15T14:54:00.003-04:00

To all MCSG members:

Below you will find an email sent through the Chimney Forum a few days ago, indicating the disbanding of the Southern Chimney Sweep Assoc. The reasons noted where due to economic conditions as well as the lack of participation from sweeps at conventions and workshops.

The reason I am bringing this to your attention is that although we have a substantial amount of money in our treasury and at our disposal to provide many benefits to our membership, due to the lack of participation of members to be on the Board, an Officer, or even to help out with the Holiday Party or the Summer Picnic, I'm afraid that one day we will be sending out the same email to our fellow sweeps on the east coast.

It was just on Wednesday that the Guild sponsored a Thermocrete and Smoktite seminar of which there were only 5 persons in paid attendance and one of them was my husband Dan and another Board member.

Prior to that, we had a fair, but not a very good showing of members to the NH Sweep Fest (mainly due to the fact the the SootPrints played and they are all MA sweeps), where I incorporated our annual membership meeting.

We've hosted seminars on disability and accidental insurance, an OSHA safety course, a web site seminar and one on drafting issues as well. The people who give these seminars give of their time as well, for the Guild, in order to provide us with information and education.

Attendance at other general membership meetings (other that the Holiday Party) are again fair at best. I continually hear "what does the Guild do for me?" when we asked you to renewal your dues each year. Well, as far as I'm concerned the old saying "you get what you give" applies to this organization just like any other. We have two openings on the Board of Directors despite recent elections. Will no one in our Guild give of their time to see that I don't have to send out the email below??

I know that we all have our own businesses to run and lives to lead, but so do I and the others who have in the past served as your Officers and Board members. We have all taken our positions very seriously in order for our Guild to be a successful and respected organization.

Starting at the next general membership meeting scheduled for September 15th, nominations will be opened for President, Treasurer, and 3 or 4 Board seats. Nominations will be taken again at the Holiday Party meeting and then only once more at the March 2009 meeting. I have served two terms and was appointed to a one year interim term which means I've served as President for 5 years. This is not the only time that has happened as well and I would like to see that it doesn't happen again. I will not lie, this has not been an easy job at times, but I take great pride in what we accomplish as a Board and sincerely appreciate all the hard work done with all of them.

That being said, I would again at this time like to ask that you ask yourself if you could possibly give a few hours of your time every 60 or 90 days to help this Guild stay strong. We are in the process of developing some really intense seminars, however I am afraid that the Guild will be wasting its time and resources if no one attends what we have to offer. If you haven't seen us offer anything you'd like to see, then as we've said in previous newsletters, let us know. We are here for you, but if you don't communicate with the Board then we can't help you.

We'd also like to see our membership increase. Dan has sent out renewals for 2008/2009. Take the time to fill it out in full and return it as soon as possible. Also, look in your local phone book. Find a sweep in your area that you know is not a member and see if you can't get them to join. The Guild is going to sponsor a membership drive where for every member you get to join you get a credit towards your next membership. (The amount has yet to be determined).
This would benefit the Guild with "new blood", and you as well.

Again, the next General Membership meeting will be held on September 17th, and as usual we are currently trying to incorporate some type of seminar to the meeting to make it worth the trip. So please, look at your calendars before you get too busy, cross out the 17th and please plan on attending. A notice of where the meeting will be help will be out soon. Please open all mail sent from the Guild in a timely fashion so you don't miss out on what we have to offer.

Sincerely,
Jeanmarie Jacobson, President
Duxbury Chimney Sweep and
Mass. Chimney Sweep Guild

Southern Chimney Sweep Assoc. Disbands

2008-08-15T14:50:00.000-04:00

The Southern Chimney Sweep Association wants to say thank you and goodbye to all the volunteers, instructors and suppliers that have helped us to educate sweeps and supported us over the last 15 years. We are calling it quits due to the ever changing economic conditions of our country and region, along with the lack of participation from sweeps at our last three conventions and our recent workshop.

We want to thank all of our founding members who saw the need to from a group to educate the sweeps of the Southeastern United States. This group started out as the Southeast Chimney Convention & Trade Show, with committee members from North & South Carolina, Florida and Georgia. Then the group saw the need to have a more formal group with structure and changed its name to the Southeastern Chimney Sweep Association and adding the Southern Association of Chimney Professionals (SACP) and Virginia to it's group.Then finally becoming a legal corporation under the name of the Southern Chimney Sweep Association with its member states being Florida, Georgia, Virginia and the SACP.

We would like to thank the past Committee Chairman of this fine organization for their years in serving as its chairman, Jerry Isenhour (1) NC, Mark Hudson (5) FL, Kevin Cowan (1) SC, Blume (1) SC, Jay Walker (1) FL, Ken Craig (1) SCAP, George Anderson (2) VA.We would also like to thank all of the past committee members who also served on this committee during it existence , Tom Stave(GA), Tom Doty (FL), Mike Wilcox (GA), Chris Holland (GA), Rob Meehan (FL), Wayne Van Houdt (VA), Jim Bostaph (VA), Roger Westerman (SACP),Mark Stoner (SACP),Cleveland Pope (SACP), Jim Robinson (SACP), Mike & Karren Duke (VA), Donny Rogan (VA), Roy & Gay Murry (NC), Bob Priesing (NC), Ron and Renne Brigman (SC), Paul & Connie Anderson (SC), Ron Rust (SC), Jay Walker (FL), Jeff Curry (FL), Phillip Martin (GA), John Su Song (GA), Dave Gallici (FL), Herb Fulmer (SC), Lucky Dale Meisinger (SC), Joe Honea (SC), Larry & Meola Snyder (SC), Steve Actman (GA), Benny Thompson (NC), Tom Albert (NC), Jeff Barger (NC),Curtis Daniel (GA), John Storch (VA), Barry Belyeu (GA), Matt Coggins (NC), Dennis Dobbs (SACP), Jim Johnson (FL), Craig Nelson (GA), Roger Whitman (NC), Jeff Jones (NC), John Handler (NC), Len Boucher (GA), Peggy Florentz (VA), we apologize if we have missed anyone.

We would also like to thank the following Supplier members that served on the committee, Bob McQuary, Cathy Rocque, Jeff Wiles, Gary Chambers and Robert Hutta.

The committee wants to encourage all sweeps to become members of NCSG and their state guilds or associations and to attend their educational opportunities. Remember education isn't cheap and can't be justified without the participation of the sweeps.

Thanks to everyone whoever attended a SCSA Convention or workshop.

Sweeps Luck to All,

Mark Hudson

Boston Herald article about NY girl

2008-08-05T20:59:00.001-04:00

Girl falls down chimney, saved by pile of soot

Questions about Liscensing?

2008-07-19T13:23:00.001-04:00

State website that will answer questions about the new Restricted CSL

Successful Review and Exam in June

2008-07-18T11:13:00.000-04:00

On June 7, 2008 the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild sponsored the annual review and exam for certification. We had a small group and the success rate was very high. Out of eight candidates, seven passed the exam. Congratulations to all of you! Please remember that if anyone needs to take the exam, I am available. We don’t have to wait for a large group to take the exam – one on one is fine, too! You can reach me on my cell phone at 401-255-0964 to schedule a time.

Rich Rua

A Traditoinal Chimney Sweep

President's Report

2008-07-14T18:18:00.003-04:00

Well, its summer time and we all know what that means. Hot, hot, & more hot. Everyone knows that during this time of the year it is very important to stay hydrated and to wear sunscreen, but there are a few other things that you should look out for and protect yourself against. One of those things are bees and wasps. Contrary to popular belief, you are technically not "allergic" to bee stings. The venom of bees and wasps contain toxins and our body quickly overreacts with histamine production. This histamine remains in our bodies and is never released, so when your body can no longer retain the extra histamines, you have a reaction. Histamine is found in higher concentrations in the skin, lungs and stomach. It's a potent arterial dilator, and therefore some victims experience dizziness and pass out. On the skin you may experience welts or hives, if in the lungs you'll experience bronchial constriction and therefore difficulty breathing, wheezing and in severe cases respiratory collapse or anaphylactic shock.

Here are the steps to take when stung in the outdoors by a bee or wasp:
Pull stinger out.
Cool compresses or ice.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) should be given to decrease minimal allergic reactions.
If a severe allergic reaction occurs, you must transport immediately and resort to basic life support.
In addition to Benadryl, it has been shown that Cimetidine (Tagamet) and H2 blocker can also help decrease the allergic response.
The other item to look out for is Lyme Disease. Lyme disease is a bacterial illness. Certain ticks found on deer harbor the bacterium in their stomachs. It is spread by these ticks when they bite the skin, which permits the bacterium to infect the body. Lyme disease is not contagious from an affected person to someone else. It can cause abnormalities in the skin, joints, heart, and nervous system and it affects different areas of the body in varying degrees as it progresses. The site where the tick bites the body is where the bacteria enter through the skin. Initially, the disease affects the skin, causing an expanding reddish rash often associated with "flu-like" symptoms. Later, it can produce the abnormalities in the joints, heart, and nervous system.
Because Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks attaching to the body, it is important to use tick-bite avoidance techniques when visiting known tick areas. Spraying insect repellant containing DEET onto exposed skin can help. Wearing long clothing can protect the skin. Clothing, children, and pets should be examined for ticks. Ticks can be removed gently with tweezers and saved in a jar for later identification. Bathing the skin and scalp, and washing clothing upon returning home might prevent the bite and transmission of the disease.

Well, there you have my "summer" lookout report. Other things to look for in this issue are "Sweep One for Mike Elliott," and my report on Sweep Fest held by the New Hampshire Assoc. of Chimney Professionals a few weeks ago and our election results. Things to look forward to are the 17th Annual New York State Guild Summer Workshop. This year they have a motorcycle ride scheduled for Wednesday, July 23rd, a golf tournament dedicated to Shawn Simboli on Thursday, and then the rest of the festivities including another performance by "The Sootprints". A registration form is in this issue but please do not delay sending in your registration if you plan on attending. Also, the NHACP is sponsoring and NFI Woodburning & NFI Pellet Review and Exam on August 6th & 7th. And don't forget to apply for your Solid Fuel Construction Supervisors License in order to be able to properly pull permits and install all those stove we are getting phone calls for all of a sudden. For more information and an application, go to www.mass.gov

Take care, stay cool and I hope to see you in New York!

Jean Jacobson, President

Sweep Fest

2008-07-14T16:59:00.014-04:00

Dan and I arrived at the homestead of Phil & Sharon Mitchell on Friday afternoon in order to help set up for the NHACP sponsored SweepFest.

We did a quick inspection of our "Presidential Suite" which was a pop- up camper graciously donated to us by the Mitchell's, and unpacked. We then attended a brief meeting in Phil's office as to the activities for the next couple of days and that was followed by dinner on Phil & Sharon's new back porch, in the rain, even though the roof had not been shingled yet. Fun was had by all.
<

The next morning I went down to the wood working shop where breakfast,sponsored by Olympia Chimney Supply, had been set up and was able to meet some new and some "old" faces. That day was filled with seminars and vendor showcases, but we took a break at lunch time to consume a wonderful feast of steamers, BBQ chicken, steak, salads, and corn on the cob. This feast was prepared by Donna MacDonald and was sponsored
by Regional Chimney Supply and Saver Systems. The presentations included one on Carbon Monoxide presented by Chuck Phillips of Lindemann Chimney Supply, Temperature Studies with Heat Conduction presented by Royal Edwards, and Defensive Driving presented by Mark Putnam, and on Sunday Marketing for Small Business by Greg Polakow.
It was during our presentations that Judd Berg read a letter from Mike Elliott to all his fellow sweeps in regard to all the love and support he and Michelle have received the past month.

Dinner was pizza in the barn, sponsored by Whitecaps, which was
followed by the performance of The Sootprints.

Sunday morning, due to a problem with his flight, Greg Polakow arrived late, but that allowed us to spend more time on the Silent Auction. There was an abundance of merchandise to be had and a couple of items were donated and the proceeds were to go directly to Mike and Michelle Elliott.

When the auction had concluded and the State Guilds held there meetings, the NHACP
announced that 1/2 of their proceeds of the auction would go to Mike and Michelle as well. This came to a total of $1,467.00. THANK YOU TO THE NHACP!!

It during our meeting where the results of our elections were announced. Congratulations to Billy Sweet (Vice President), Tim Martinson (Secretary), and my newest Board members Tom Biscoe, David O'Shea (re-elected), and Joe Gilmore (if he'll have us).

Although it rained on and off most of the weekend, after our meeting adjourned the sun made a short appearance and a few were able to take a motorcycle ride down to Hampton Beach and back, returning just in time before the rain began again.

The Stroups, the Mitchell's, Dan and myself were treated to dinner that evening by Greg Polakow which ended on of the most enjoyable weekends I've had in a long time. Thanks to all of you who took part, attended, donated your time, or sponsored any portion of this weekend!!!

Jeannie & Dan Jacobson
Duxbury Chimney Sweep

Olymia Chimney Supply - Newsletter Sponsor

2008-07-14T16:51:00.002-04:00

Please click on the Olympia Chimney Supply ad below to see it in full size.Visit their website at www.olymiachimney.com

Record Sales on Stoves

2008-07-14T16:22:00.004-04:00

Both Sweeps USA and BAC Sales have had record sales in pellet appliances in June. The feeding frenzy is similar to that of 2005. The differences this year is that the heating season started in May rather than September.

In 2005 we had a banner year of pellet and wood stove sales. Most of the Pellet stove manufacturing companies were not prepared for the onslaught of stove sales. By early November there was not a pellet stove to be had. Any truck loads of stoves that we received were sold before they were unloaded off the truck. Actually all of the stoves that we were scheduled to received were sold.

The demands for Pellet Appliances were estimated to be between seven to ten times the demands for an average heating season. Manufactures had an impossible task to meet the demand. Their assembly lines just could not keep up. They couldn’t hire experienced personnel even if they ran a second shift, and the most important deterrent to production was the lack of components for the stoves. Most require at least two or more motors to operate and they also need a control board, snap switches and other sensors. All of these components take months to fill and deliver these orders. Steel was on a roller coaster on pricing and availability.

Over the late winter of 2005 and the spring of 2006 many manufactures expanded their production facilities, and they started to build massive inventories. This was all done so when the 2006 heating season arrived, they would be ready.

Another player in this scenario was the fuel supply. Because the demand was so overwhelming supplies were limited. Pricing started off the season $125 a ton finishing at nearly $300 a ton or more there for supplies were rationed.

Now here we go into the 2006 heating season. In the Northeast we had our first substantial snow storm on January 15th 2007. Oil was in low demand so prices were relaxed because of such a warm winter.

Now here comes Murphy’s Law, remember stove inventories were at record. Many manufacturers borrowed money to improve manufacturing facilities and more important purchased steel, glass and electrical components.

The 2006 Heating season turned into a disaster for many dealers. Pellet stove sales were rare. Customers were afraid that if they bought a stove, they wouldn’t have a steady supply of pellets or the pricing wouldn’t be competitive with oil or other fuels.

This non season caused both heart ache in both manufacturing and distribution alike.
One of the largest pellet stove manufacturing companies had to sell out. Some others claimed bankruptcy.

Now for the 2007 Heating season.

As a result of poor financial situation many dealers could not survive the financial burden of carrying large inventories. This most affected the hearth shops; Most of the Sweeps do not carry an inventory of appliances.

We experience many dealers closing their doors. They just could not pay their suppliers. This added the stress to the industry. Many manufacturers were giving large discounts to lesson there inventory and even with that incentive did not relieve the stressful situation.

The weather did cooperate and we had a more normal winter. Sales did pick up moderately, but not in time for all.

Spring of 2008

Oil Speculators to the rescue. Pellet manufactures increased in numbers. Pellet prices were retailed from $175 to $225 a ton and oil prices went to $4.60 + a gallon.

People had there first oil delivery in the spring and were shocked to see that it cost them a Thousand Dollars!!!!!!

The rush is on!!!!!

Now remember many manufactures are financially stressed. So there inventories are low. There materials inventories are low and they are gun shy, afraid or unable to borrow more money to build inventories and meet sales demand.

Human nature, being what it is, people usually wait until it gets cold to think about heat. Not this year! Being that the media is painting such a bleak picture as far as oil pricing, many people started looking for alternative fuels. Electric and Gas are both predicted to have large pricing increases.

Other alternatives looked great at first, bio fuels corn wheat and other grains. The competition for alcohol for auto fuel and of course the increased demand for food has driven the price of these alternatives to record costs.

Pellet manufactures for seen an increase in demand and increased their production capabilities. New pellet manufacturer have come on line, they should be better prepared to meet this year’s demand.

New products and manufactures also have come on line. St Croix is now offering two sizes of Pellet Warm Air Furnaces. Napoleon has increase there pellet line to offer a fireplace insert. The Hudson River Stove Company is offering five new models.

Of coarse the supply currently is limited, but at least the manufactures have time to react
and build units for this heating system.

Sweeps USA and BAC Sales are offering two pellet educational programs for both sales and service. The first is on August 12th for St Croix Pellet Appliances and on August 21st
Napoleon Hearth Products will give a sales and service presentation for their complete line pre registration is a must. Seminars are limited so register early so you can get the latest information. Both Seminars will be held at BAC Sales in Hudson, NY. Feel free to call me at (800) 873 1330 Ext 235.

Sweeps Luck and a Prosperous Year
Russ Moore
Sweeps USA

Sweep One For Mike

2008-07-14T14:26:00.003-04:00

(continued)

As you may not already know, Mike Elliott suffered a serious shoulder injury a few weeks ago and has recently had surgery for this injury. This will keep Mike out of work for at least the summer and maybe longer depending on how his rehabilitation goes.
Mike and Michelle have been an intricate part of this Guild for many years; as a Board Member, Vice President, editor of the Newsletter, and delegates for the Northeast Regional Conventions, and just as Guild Members alone need our support.
If you haven’t already, you can send well wishes to their home at:
25 Merriam District, No. Oxford, MA 01537.
You may also contact them at sootguy@aol.com or sootgirl@aol.com.
What I’d like to do is to be able to help them out financially in this time of need. We have set up a fund for them through the Treasurer and beginning immediately if anyone would like to contribute a sweeping (or more if you’d like) to the Elliotts we will see that they receive all monies contributed to this fund.
Mike has also been accepted to “Sweep the White House” and the Guild hopes to offset some of these costs as well, so I’d like to continue to take donations through to the end of August.
Please make out your checks to the MCSG and mail them to Dan Jacobson, c/o MCSG, 115 Grove Street, Kingston, MA. 02364.
If anyone has any questions, they can contact Dan at 781-585-5990.
Any I thank you all for your support!!

Jean Jacobson, President
Mass. Chimney Sweep Guild

Thank You to Sweepfest Sponsors

2008-07-14T14:23:00.000-04:00

As chairperson for the Sweep Fest Auction, I'd like to thank the following vendors and persons who made generous donations.

AW Perkins
Copperfield Chimney Supply
Lindemann Chimney Supply
Mass. Chimney Sweep Guild
National Chimney Supply
National Chimney Sweep Guild
Olympia Chimney Supply
Regional Chimney Supply
Saver Systems
Ventech Industries
Whitecaps
Wholer Technologies
Carl & Stacie Shippey
Stephen Bushway
and
The Sootprints

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

And a great big thank you to Phil and Sharon Mitchell for opening up their homestead to all of us and for the “Presidential Suite” for Dan and I. Your generosity was greatly appreciated!!!

Jean & Dan Jacobson
Duxbury Chimney Sweep

MOC Realtor's Breakfast

2008-07-14T08:37:00.002-04:00

On May 7th, Dan and I attended the Mass. Oil Heat Councils Realtors breakfast at the Quincy Marriott.
After a presentation done by David Heiser of Prime Media (pictured above), I was allowed to address the group in regard to the NFPA 211 code for a Level II inspection to be performed when a property is sold or transferred.
We also got a chance to weigh in on a few other subjects during the presentation. David O'Shea was able to attend this same meeting in Danvers a few days later and we plan to do as many as possible.

Jeannie Jacobson
Duxbury Chimney Sweep

Solving Draft Problems with ICP

2008-07-14T08:30:00.002-04:00

On May 14th, Bill & Rich Paynton, along with Sam MacLanahan took the Board of Directors to lunch at the East Bay Grill in Plymouth. There they discussed and used us as a sounding board in a discussion in regard to diagnosing and solving draft problems. Thank you again, Rich, Bill & Sam.

Jeannie Jacobson

Duxbury Chimney Sweep

NFI Review and Exam

2008-07-14T08:26:00.002-04:00

Many expressed an interest during SweepFest in attaining national certification to prepare themselves and/or their employees for this season’s onslaught of increased demands for installations, and services, of woodburning hearth systems.

In response, New Hampshire Association of Chimney Professionals (NHACP) is sponsoring an NFI Woodburning Hearth Systems review & exam next month in Manchester, NH. (At the Conference Center located on the perimeter of Manchester Airport)

NFI Woodburning Review & Exam will be on Wednesday, August 6th, 8:00am -6:00pm, instructed by Bob Fish. Fee $319.00. To register, please contact Kim Stroup at (603)823-7000, or email stroupco@verizon.net

Overnight accommodations available onsite, Group Rate $99 (plus tax); contact Kim Stroup for group code and more information, (603) 823-7000, or stroupco@verizon.net.

Sorry for the short notice but we got this together as quickly as possible and sort of need your reply also as quickly as possible too - thanks in advance & look forward to hearing from you!

NHACP will also be sponsoring an NFI Pellet Review & Exam the following day.

Editors Notes

2008-07-13T15:12:00.002-04:00

This edition I'm playing around with a new format for our proposed email/online newsletter. It's called a blog and for those of you unfamiliar with blogs I'll give a breif description.

The word "blog" is short for "web log" it's a sort of online journal. The cool thing is it's free and easy. It took me 15 minutes to set this up and I'm a first time blogger.

The emailed newsletters I sent out the past few editions had a few kinks as I'm sure most of you noticed. They were large files and probably downoaded slow for some of you. The format was messy due to the use of Microsoft Word which refuses to mainain it's page breaks and some other formatting from one computer to the next.

This blog will give our new online newsletter a home on the internet and allow me to email you all a link when a new issue is ready. The past articles are all stored chronilogically so you can go back and read them anytime. The formatting should look the same on any computer.

There's a few more added benefits. You all have the oportunity to comment on articles! I hope that you will, it will help me make the newsletter better. Comments will go through me and as long as I can verify they are from a member and the contents are apropriate I will post them for all to read. In adition the blog will soon be veiwable from the Guild's website keeping everything in one place.

If you are still getting paper copies this is the last one unless you tell me specifically that you prefer paper copies. Starting with the next edition email will be the default delivery.

As always your feedback is apreciated please email or call with questions comments or concerns.

Stacie Shippey
MCSG Newsletter Editor

Sweeping

2008-07-12T22:03:00.006-04:00

Because Carl really needed an ego boost. ;0

ICP - Newsletter Sponsor

2008-07-12T20:44:00.007-04:00

Please click on the ICP ad below to see it in full size.Visit their website at http://www.chimneycaps.com/

Whitehouse Chimneys

2008-07-12T12:59:00.006-04:00

Mike Elliott of Central New England Chimney Sweep in Oxford, MA has been asked to be on the team that will sweep the Whitehouse chimneys this year. I'm sure this will be a true career milestone for Mike. We are very happy for him.

The Elliotts have done so much for this Guild as a whole and for individual members including chairing the North East Regional Convention, editing this newsletter, planning outings, leading seminars, and on a personal note rebuilding our chimney...the list goes on and on.

In spite of his recent major shoulder injury he is looking forward to his trip to DC. His recovery is going well and he will be up to the task of representing this Guild, as well as the entire industry, as he always does, with impecible workmanship and knowledge.

If you get a chance please wish Mike the best of "Sweeps Luck".

Stacie Shippey

Cherry Valley Chimney Sweep

Website Report - 5/1/2008-6/30/2008

2008-07-12T10:20:00.006-04:00

Month.................. Page Views... Visits....... Hits
May, 2008...............2,076...........1,516......8,868
June, 2008..............2,042...........1,488......8,509
Total(s)....................4,118............3,004....17,377
Average(s)............2,059............1,502......8,688

Search Engine......... Visits
1 Google ....................280
2 Microsoft Network. 48
3 Yahoo! ......................30
4 AOL NetFind .............6
5 Ask Jeeves .................2
6 CompuServe ..............1
7 dmoz ...........................1
8 dogpile ........................1
9 Netscape ....................1
Total(s) .....................370
Average(s) .................41

Whitecaps - Newsletter Sponsor

2008-07-10T18:52:00.004-04:00

Please click on the White Caps ad below to see it in full size.
Visit their website at http://www.whitecaps.com/

Sweep Fest 2008

2008-07-10T16:28:00.004-04:00

This was our first time attending the Sweep Fest in New Hampshire. What a great event!!

We arrived in time to catch the end of Chuck Phillips of Lindemann Chimney Supply and Peter Cullen of Wholer giving a class on carbon monoxide. We also sat in on Royal Edwards' heat conduction study findings.

A wonderful lunch was served (sponsored by Regional Chimney Supply and Saver Systems) with rolls, salads, steak, chicken, and yummy steamed clams.

Defensive driving with Mark Putnam of Classic Chimneys was next. And although I missed it to sneak out and go shopping in Concord, Carl stuck around and perhaps it helped him get off of 495 safely during our scare on the ride home.

A nice pizza dinner was served (sponsored by Whitecaps) . Then Sootprints played as we all gathered under the canopies to escape the rain. Their performance, that night, of the Decemberist's song The Chimbley Sweep can be viewed here. The Sootprints had the whole group singing and dancing despite the rain.

When the band finished we headed back to Phil Mitchell's backyard where most of the attendees went to tents to sleep. A few of us stayed up for a fire and more talking.

For those of us who stayed up to the weee hours - the Dunkin Donuts breakfast goodies (sponsored by Olympia Chimney Supply) were especially appreciated. We ate breakfast in the Mitchell's kitchen while entertaining each other with jokes.

After breakfast we broke down camp and visited the silent auction. There were some great items to bid on and some of the bidding wars went on to the final moment. More than half the proceeds of the auction are going to Mike Elliott who recently broke his shoulder in a bike accident.

Before the auction closed Greg Polakow of Copperfeild Chimney Supply spoke to us about Marketing.

The Mass Guild provided pizza for lunch before the Guild meetings.

We enjoyed our stay at the Mitchell Homestead and want to thank every one involved in putting this weekend together.

Stacie Shippey
Cherry Valley Chimney Sweep

Reno Ramblings by Judd Berg

2008-07-10T15:25:00.002-04:00

Here are some nutshell (or nut-case, depending on your point of view) observations from the NCSG convention at Reno NV:

Flying on Southwest Airways with its new seating procedures allowed me the luxury of aisle seats, a blessing on long flights.

Posting my flight itinerary on the ncsg-members list helped me find other sweeps during lay overs, in my case the John and Diane Pilger of New York at the airport in Baltimore. We then flew together on to Reno as seat mates. We landed on our first try amidst 50+ mph winds and a lot of praying at Reno with the plane crew getting a well-deserved ovation from the passengers. Well, they did say we'd be landing in some turbulence.

More than 400 industry professionals attended NCSG's Innovation 2008 convention, with many claiming it to be the best ever overall. Highlighting the event were a generous mix of both business and technical seminars, lots of new faces at the trade show, great food (whether part of a convention meal or obtained at one of the venue's great eateries), and plenty to do after hours.

While I'm not big into casinos, our convention site (the Grand Sierra) was located a distance away from Reno's casino strip and guests could easily avoid the slot machine symphony, definitely a plus. Unfortunately I couldn't avoid the indoor tobacco smoke that permeated the lobby, casino, and some of the restaurant areas. With apologies to my friends who indulge, but I seem to always get some sort of respiratory affliction when I'm around indoor tobacco smoke. This put a serious crimp on my after hours adventures, let alone my public speaking as I lost my voice. At the vendor breakfast I had to make some announcements regarding the auction and could barely get out the words. Good guy Tom Urban of Estoban came to my rescue with a big bag of gourmet butterscotch candies to soothe my vocal cords and throat. Thanks Tom.

I had the pleasure of taking in both the NCSG and CSIA board of directors meetings. I try to do this at each convention I attend, and I'm always surprised to see how few other convention goers show up. I still think the membership would be more involved if we could see all those "report as submitted"'s fleshed out in the on-line minutes. Might make for some good feedback.

Congratulations to new NCSG president Randy Brooks of California and thanks to outgoing President Howard Rowell of Wisconsin for all his time and effort on the job. Too bad Randy couldn't preside over an official membership meeting as a quorum could not be obtained, despite the fact that more than enough members were registered for the convention. Perhaps in the future maybe the general membership meeting could take place immediately after the keynote address or some other magnet event so we could truly have a legitimate meeting.

Congratulations also go out to President's Award winner Steve Pietila (OR), Education Award winner Bob Priesing, and Friendship Award winner Frank Dombrowski.

Seems like Pass the Pigs has taken on a new life (are we a cult yet?) outside the Northeast as folks from as far West as Oregon and California and as far East as Scotland can now be heard calling out "razorback"and "trottah" (in true Amy Andrade fashion), although the Scots have to work on those "pig out" squeals. Give a big oink for Steve Pietila, without whose assistance we would not have been able to convert so many "pig virgins". Next year in Winston-Salem we're going after the Brits.

Another after hours first for an NCSG convention was the introduction of a piano lounge, where attendees could chill out, sing, play, and listen the night away. Let's hope this can become a tradition.

Another new slightly less attended possible tradition starting event was the Bostaphblumeberg tequila -tasting night, with the Scots bringing in their own variation aptly called Scotch. Smooth.

Loureen Koubek (Eurosweep, Braintree MA) found her own after hours event, attending a Van Halen concert across town from the hotel in her free time.

Phil Mitchell, the Seacoast Sweep (NH), yearly host to Sweepfest, expressed his enthusiasm at having the MCSG summer meeting take place during this year's gathering. Here's hoping a good portion of our membership takes advantage of NH hospitality.

Despite talk of recession and business slowdowns, through the generosity of vendor and sweep donations the Reno biggest little CSIA benefit auction raised over $12,000 for the CSIA building fund.

Speaking of recessions, if they ever get short of chimney work Rich Rua and John LaBrosse can always hire themselves out as professional drivers after commandeering the NCSG van, loaded with office and convention supplies, from Indy to Reno and back. They also make great auction roadies.

At the closing banquet White House chimney sweeping project coordinator Jeff Schmittinger announced that MCSG's own Mike Elliott (Central New England Chimney Sweep, N. Oxford MA) will be a member of this year's White House sweeping team. Mike will have the privilege of standing atop our country's most famous residence in the blazing heat and humidity of a D.C. summer. Bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen, a map to the Old Ebbett Grill, some beer money, and a camera. And be ready for the thrill of a lifetime.

My wife Katie flew out to Reno for the banquet, then on Sunday we drove down to San Francisco via Lake Tahoe for a week's vacation visiting our son and his future bride. But not before we hit the casino slot machines up for $40, enough to get 10 gallons of regular in SF at the time. If you've never been to San Francisco get there sometime in your life. Then call in you Southwest Airways pre-seating early. We had bulkhead all the way home. Gotta love that extra leg room.

Sweeps luck and hope to see you in Winston Salem in 2009, Indy in 2010.

Judd Berg
Judd Berg and Sons Chimney Sweep
North Eastham MA

Editors Note: Check out NCSG's Convention Blog

Letter From Mike Elliott of Central New England Chimney Sweeps

2008-07-10T15:17:00.006-04:00

It’s hard to believe but it’s been over a month since my crash on my road bike. I always wanted to visit the thriving metropolis of New Salem Massachusetts but not in a ditch with a broken shoulder. I worked out real hard this winter to ready myself for this years cycling season and it was very upsetting to crash on the unofficial start of the summer. I honestly thought I had separated my shoulder until the ambulance came and strapped me to the back board. It was the longest 20 minute ride I ever had and never felt so much pain in my life. When Michelle made it to the hospital in Athol the doctor was showing me the X rays and even a Chimney Sweep could see the mess. No doubt about it I’m screwed. They shipped me to Worcester where I had blood work, EKG, and a Cat scan. They told me I was going to possibly have surgery that night. Another doctor came and used words like smashed, fragments, fractures and tissue damage. It turned out that my scapular was broken in at least 8 places. They sent me home with some happy pills to manage the pain until I could see my surgeon on Tuesday. The Surgeon told me he was going to use a steel plate and screw it together. I got a couple more opinions and one Doctor told me I may not be able to sweep chimneys again. Needless to say the thought of losing the job I love had me shed a tear or two. On June 2nd I had my surgery and everything went real well.
Today is Friday June 27, 2008 and I’m able to move my arm. It feels a little crunchy but with the help of my physical therapist I think I’ll be back full force before Labor Day. I walk about 15 to 20 miles a week and started taking my spin classes again to regain some of my fitness. I tied my shoes this morning and should be able to drive again in a couple of weeks. My brother John swept some chimneys for me last week and I went on the ride along program. It was nice to get out of the house and back into the field. He’s going to work a day or two a week for me until I get going again. Michelle has been a true champ doing everything around the house and you should see her weed-wack!
I wish I could be in New Hampshire with you this weekend but I’m still having a hard time sleeping and I don’t think “Soot Prints” would stop playing after 7:30 so I could sleep. Thank all of you for your kind words, prayers and support. I’m confident I’ll be ready for my trip to D.C and promise to represent the Northeast coalition well. I hope you all had a great time at Sweep Fest and I’m sure Phil and Sharon treated you right.
Have a restful summer and remember…I’ll be back to kick all your asses this autumn.

Sweeps’ Luck!
Mike Elliott
Central New England Chimney Sweep