Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire

Leading the industry since 1949, AGC of NH continuously works with its diverse membership to improve the commercial construction industry. This diverse

membership includes a network of general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment dealers, architects, engineers, consultants, attorneys,

sureties, accountants, and more. Through legislative advocacy and outreach, the Association works for both sides of the industry — highway and building, both

union and open shop.

Annual Report 2020

President’s Message

I would first like to thank the AGC of NH membership for the opportunity to serve as your 2020 Association President. We got off to a great start with big plans for some new events but Covid forced us all to shift gears. Nonetheless, I am very proud of all that our AGC chapter and its members have accomplished together.

When the virus hit NH in the early spring. AGC didn’t hesitate to act on behalf of its members and the construction industry. One of the first actions we took was partnering with AGC of Maine to order disposable face masks in bulk for member firms that were struggling to locate PPE. We coordinated with NHDOT to help develop COVID-19 guidelines for construction workers and worked with the Fire Marshal on the emergency declaration regarding construction permitting guidelines.

AGC quickly made the transition to remote meetings so that we could continue working for the membership at a time when it needed us most. This included committee meetings, luncheons, and our 2020 Annual Meeting. We are perhaps most proud of the Virtual Construction Overview Seminar we hosted with NHDOT in October.

. Even though much of this year felt chaotic, AGC kept working to provide the best resources for members. However, our work isn’t over just because we’re saying goodbye to 2020. The effects of the statewide shutdown will continue through 2021, and AGC will face a number of legislative issues in the new session. Although it might look a little different, I know that AGC staff will continue to represent member interests passionately as ever in Concord. Please remember to do your part and answer the call to action if requested to write emails, make a call, or perhaps testify via Zoom for a committee hearing.

As we move into 2021, let’s continue to work safely! Let’s continue to prove that our industry can be an economic engine through these difficult days. Let’s continue to assist and support one another as we deal with the physical and emotional challenges this pandemic presents to us all. We have sacrificed much to get here and many have sacrificed more. We owe it to them to continue to do our part with discipline, courage, and respect.

It was my honor and pleasure to serve as your 2020 President. While we always have work yet to do, I’m confident that President Natasha Michelson we lead us to successfully meet our 2021 challenges. To the AGC membership: thank you for your hard work, patience, and cooperation over the past year. Our support and commitment to one another is truly remarkable and the reason why AGC of NH is so highly respected as an organization.

Have a safe & happy holidays, Larry Major 2020 AGC of NH President

Support

Dedication

Leadership

“When the virus hit NH in the early

spring, AGC didn’t hesitate to take

action on behalf of members and the

construction industry.”

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Larry MajorPike Industries

2020 AGC of NH President

Executive’s Message To say this year has been challenging would be a vast understatement. Keeping the construction industry working during a pandemic while juggling new safety guidelines both in NH and in our neighboring states, was no easy task. But we managed to do it all together, and that is certainly something to be proud of.

Legislatively, this year felt like “the session that never was”. It began like any normal legislative session, with the usual recurring issues such as the road usage fee, family medical leave, and state building codes, but unfortunately, because of the pandemic and the consequent shutdown of the legislature in the spring, we weren’t able to advocate as rigorously as we would have any other year. I did have the opportunity to testify on bills virtually later in the session, but due to time constraints, a number of bills were combined into larger omnibus bills while others were “vacated”, or tabled for the year. In some ways, this worked in our favor, as some bills we opposed were vacated, but then again, some of the ones we supported — particularly the municipal third party inspection bill —were also vacated. I anticipate many of these vacated and vetoed bills, such as the third party inspection bill or mandatory family medical leave plan, will return in 2021.

Looking ahead, I’m extremely excited about the new training programs AGC will be rolling out in the new year. We’ve partnered with AGC of Maine, AGC of America, and other organizations to bring both online and on-site training courses at a discounted rate for members. Courses include crane training, project management, 10 hour OSHA training, hand and injury prevention, and many more. Check our newsletters and website for more information on these courses in 2021.

In the meantime, I want to thank the membership for your support and hard work during this challenging year. We accomplished a great deal, and there will be a number of new challenges coming as the state recovers from the effects of the pandemic. I appreciate everyone who signed up to serve on a 2021 committee, and I encourage anyone who hasn’t signed up already to consider joining one. We are always in need of more knowledge and expertise as we take on legislative issues both new and ongoing.

Happy Holidays. We’ll see you in 2021!

Sincerely,Gary Abbott Gary AbbottAGC of NH Executive V.P.

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Gary AbbottAGC of NH Executive V. P.

Commitment

Participation

Collaboration

“Looking ahead to 2021, I’m extremely

excited about the new training

programs AGC will be rolling out. We’ve partnered with AGC

of Maine, AGC of America, and other

organizations to bring both online

and on-site training courses at a discount

for members.”

Ordered Disposable Masks for Members in NeedTo address the need for face masks on jobsites as recommended by the CDC and NHDOT, the association partnered with AGC of Maine to place a bulk order of non-surgical face masks for member firms. After sending out an association-wide email, AGC placed an order of over 22,000 masks for NH members alone. By combining the order with the Maine chapter as well as NHDES, we were able to significantly lower the cost per mask for participants. During the last week of April, AGC staff distributed orders to members through curbside pickup.

AGC staff organize thousands of disposable face masks for participating member firms

Transitioned to Remote Meetings & EventsAGC recognized early on that our committees were needed more than ever. In addition to keeping association efforts moving forward, members

needed a way to connect and share resources. We quickly transitioned to holding remote committee meetings over the Zoom app, and as a result, groups such as the AGC Safety Officers Committee have grown in numbers, showing what an indispensable tool committees are for members. In April, Congressman Chris Pappas met with the AGC Board of Directors, and beginning in May, we were able to resume our postponed luncheon series.

Unveiled New Website Featuring COVID-19 ResourcesIn 2020, the association updated, improved, and completely rebuilt our chapter website, http://agcnh.org. Changes included a COVID-19 Resource page, which lists various links to executive orders from the governor, guidelines from NHDOT, and vendors that sell PPE and sanitizing products.

Sent Joint Letter to Governor on Keeping Construction Work EssentialOn March 25, AGC partnered with the Associated Builders & Contractors of NH & VT to send a joint letter to Governor Sununu urging him to recognize construction work as an essential service to the state and refrain from any action to curtail ongoing construction projects.

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When coronavirus hit New Hampshire in early 2020, the association had to act quickly in order to address the urgent and unique challenges facing our members.

Our close working relationships with industry leaders and other organizations have proven to be invaluable during this crisis. This year has been a true call to action for the AGC of NH, and with the support and collaboration of our member firms, we have

been able heed that call in a number of different ways. Below are some of the key efforts the association took on in 2020.

AGC Steps Up to the Challenge

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Submitted Testimony to GOFERROn April 22, AGC of NH gave testimony before the Governor's Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) legislative advisory board via teleconference. During the presentation, the association highlighted concerns within the construction industry regarding the COVID-19 crisis, such as the shutdowns in Vermont and Massachusetts causing supply disruptions and project delays. AGC also urged legislators to take quick actions to address infrastructure funding shortfalls likely to occur in the near future. 

Helped Develop Guidelines for ContractorsAGC stayed in close communication with the NH Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure members were up to date on current guidelines and best practices. AGC members were able to give feedback on the guidelines the department released, which later became the standard for building and DES projects.

Arranged Joint Letter to Delegation Highlighting Infrastructure Funding NeedsOn May 6, AGC organized a joint letter to New Hampshire delegates emphasizing the need for more infrastructure funding in the state in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The letter outlines New Hampshire’s potential shortfall in funding and urges delegates to support the request of $49.9 billion for state DOTs recently made by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

Submitted Testimony to Governor’s Reopening Task ForceOn May 26, AGC of NH submitted testimony to the Governor’s Reopening Task Force in support of amending the state’s Stay At Home 2.0 guidelines. The association requested the section requiring employers to take daily temperatures of each employee be removed due to questions around effectiveness as well as concerns over liability. AGC also pointed out that this is not a guideline recommended by the CDC.

Declaration on Building InspectionsAGC has been in contact with Fire Marshal Paul Parisi for guidelines for contractors who may be faced with construction challenges under town restrictions. We were able to review the Department of Safety’s draft emergency declaration detailing construction permitting guidelines with regard to working with towns and the inspection process. The governor later made it into an executive order.

NH House of Representatives meeting during the Coronavirus pandemic

AGC committee members meeting virtually in 2020

Municipal Third Party Inspection ReviewAGC helped develop language for SB 152, regarding third party inspection reviews. The bill would have allowed contractors to receive a scope of the process and costs ahead of time when a third-party inspection is utilized. The legislation was ultimately vacated due to the legislative shutdown, but we anticipate it returning in 2021.

Expanding the Definition of Prime WetlandsThe association opposed HB 1124, which aimed to expand the definition for Prime Wetlands. AGC has opposed this issue in the past, as it allowed for smaller areas such as drainage ditches to be

declared prime wetlands. The bill was among those that were vacated in the summer.

Stop Work OrdersAGC opposed SB 451, which would have allowed the Department of Labor to issue a stop work order to companies that fail to pay wages or workers’ compensation. Stop work orders are not permitted under current law. The bill was ultimately vacated.

Mandatory Paid Family Medical LeaveAGC has long opposed implementing a mandatory paid family medical leave insurance (FMLI) plan due to costs and the inability for businesses or workers to opt out. This year saw three versions of a mandatory plan, including an amendment to a House bill that would expand federal Covid-19 protections to include FMLI. AGC submitted a paper in opposition to this bill, which passed the legislature but was later vetoed by the governor. One of the other two FMLI bills failed early on in the Senate while the other was also vetoed by the governor.

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At AGC of NH, we pride ourselves in our high level of legislative expertise and advocacy. Unfortunately in 2020, the legislature closed in late March after the

statewide Stay at Home orders were declared due to Covid-19. When the legislature reopened in May, we were quick to jump back into the session by attending hearings virtually and staying up to date on key issues. Due to the time constraints caused by the legislative shutdown, many of AGC’s top bills were either combined into bigger omnibus bills or “vacated”, meaning set aside for the session. This year also saw a

record in vetoes by the governor. Below is a breakdown of some of our biggest legislative efforts in 2020.

2020 Legislative Efforts

2020 Virtual Construction Overview SeminarOn October 20, the association hosted its first ever virtual webinar along with NHDOT. The event, featured guest speakers from NHDOT, AGC of NH, and AGC of America. The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in-person in March but was canceled due to the pandemic and later rescheduled as a virtual Zoom webinar.

AGC of NH 2020 President Larry Major emceed the meeting while the association staff moderated behind the scenes. Presenters spoke on a wide range of topics concerning the construction industry, such as the NH advertising schedule, the ten-year transportation plan, and the future of federal transportation funding.

2020 Golf TournamentOn September 3rd, members and guests enjoyed mild temperatures and friendly competition at the Candia Woods golf course for the AGC of NH’s annual golf tournament. Thanks to the high spirits of the participants and the smooth management of the host venue, we were able to pull off a successful, socially distant tournament.

The winner of the Straightest Drive was John Bousquet (R.M. Piper) of The Rowley Agency Team, while Dan Finn of the Brox Industries Team won Longest Drive. Mike Terry (Al Terry Plumbing & Heating) of the Rowley Agency team won the Closest to the Pin contest.

The second-place bramble winners were Tim Reid, Mindy Reid, Richard Upsall, and Dan Joyell of the Hutter Construction team. The first-place bramble winners were Paul Roberson, Mike Terry (Al Terry Plumbing & Heating), Shane Glennon (The Granite Group), and Jon Watkins of the Rowley Agency team. B2W Software provided this year’s raffle prize, a Yeti cooler, which was claimed by Greg Gorman of Pike Industries.

Lastly, this year’s winner of the Company Challenge Trophy was Hutter Construction for having the lowest combined score of all the company teams. The team included Tim Reid, Mindy Reid, Richard Upsall, and Dan Joyell. Hutter also claimed the trophy last year.

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Leading Connections

Networking and building relationships are integral to the construction industry, and that’s why every year AGC of NH organizes an array of social events for members, as

well as meetings with commissioners, legislators, and other industry professionals. This year was certainly no exception. We continued all our luncheon events virtually

and held a socially distant golf tournament. Below are just a few of our successful events in 2020.

Golfers head to the green during the 2020 tournament

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Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire48 Grandview Road

Bow, NH 03304Tel: 603-225-2701

AGC’s work is never quite finished. Advocating for the construction industry is an ongoing job that requires the combined efforts of all of our experienced members. In

2021, AGC’s committees will be faced with a number of important or challenging legislation. The best way to tackle these issues is to join a committee and find out how

you can help make a difference.

‣ State budget: The highway fund & school building aid

‣ Road usage fee proposals

‣ Mandatory family medical leave insurance programs

‣ Construction job training programs

‣ Municipal third-party building inspections

‣ DES Alteration of Terrain rules (wildlife)

Looking Ahead: Top Issues for 2021

AGC’s top issues for 2021 include: