Member Profile : Kate Biedron, NEWEA Registration Chair
Kate Biedron enjoying one of her favorite activities, skiing, at Mount Sunapee in Newbury, NH
For many of us, Kate is the first friendly face that greets us when we arrive to register at our conferences. Kate has been an active member of NEWEA since 2006, not only leading the Registration Committee, but also working closely with other committees in the Meeting Management Council and as a member of the Collection Systems Committee. She has found the networking aspect of NEWEA important to her personal and professional growth as she is able to connect with colleagues throughout the industry. Read More >>
Do you know a member that should be showcased here?
Send it to Geri Ciardelli, Newsletter Chair
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What’s New at NEWEA : 2015 Executive Committee and Chairs
NEWEA members along with WEF’s Vice President braved the January Blizzard in Boston, MA
Announcing 2015 Executive Committee and Chairs
The Executive Committee is made up of 21 water quality professionals throughout New England. The committee strives to stimulate interest and active participation in the Association and its activities. In addition to the Executive Committee, NEWEA has more than 44 active committees from technology and process, communications and outreach, meeting and event planning, or leadership and ad hoc. Volunteering on a NEWEA committee is a great opportunity for you to build leadership skills, gain industry recognition, and help shape the water quality field. Learn More >>
NEWEA Survives the Blizzard!
The 2015 Annual Conference & Exhibit was well attended despite the January blizzard that dumped over 3 feet of snow in parts of New England. There were approximately 1800 registrants and 204 exhibitor displays. Onsite attendance was less than anticipated, but those that weathered the storm, enjoyed the indoor community at the Copley Marriott. This year’s conference highlighted a successful committee volunteer fair, the Young Professionals mentoring day and the Awards Ceremony & Luncheon, all of which were well attended. A special note of thanks to attendees, speakers, moderators, exhibitors and volunteers who stepped up despite the weather to make the conference memorable.
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Upcoming Event : NEWEA Spring Meeting & Exhibit
The annual Spring Meeting & Exhibit is just around the corner. Join NEWEA June 7-10 at the Mt. Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.
You’ll not want to miss this beautiful venue with breathtaking views of Mt. Washington nor the exciting technical sessions on operations, stormwater, sustainability, cso, and collections systems.
The Hotel Room Block is now open. Make your reservations here and take advantage of the discounted group rate. Watch for more information!
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Committee Spotlight : “Flushables”
Aubrey Strause, NEWEA Stormwater Committee Chair recently went to Washington, DC to take part in a collaborative product stewardship initiative to promote greater responsibility for the proper disposal of nonwoven products, including wipes not designed to be flushed.
The association group, which includes INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry; NACWA, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies; APWA, the American Public Works Association; WEF, the Water Environment Federation; as well as CWWA, the Canadian Water & Wastewater Association, will lead the stewardship initiative while jointly developing a new edition of guidelines that will influence product design and support the marketing of nonwoven products as “flushable,” with no adverse effects on wastewater systems. Read More >>
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Personal News:
Charlie Button
Earlier this month, Charlie Button, longtime member of NEWEA and 5S Member, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Button was the Founder and President of Freshwater Consulting. In his forty-five year career as a professional engineer he served as the Chief Engineer and Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the Chief Engineer of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, and Chief Engineer for the Hartford Metropolitan District Commission. In all, Charlie spent over 40 years in water and wastewater design, construction and operations. Read More >>
Public Works employees showed their support in CT
Hundreds of public works employees from across Connecticut and New England attended David Rizdon’s funeral in Tolland, CT to show their support and to honor a fellow worker. The New England Chapter of APWA organized the tribute which included a procession of DPW vehicles after the funeral. Read More >>
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Outreach: Be Heard! Congressional Briefing Approaches
The Government Affairs Committee is preparing for their annual Congressional Briefing, April 15 in Washington, DC, which will occur as part of the National Water Policy Forum, led by NACWA, WEF, WERF and WaterReuse.
This is a great opportunity for the membership and elected officials to join together to discuss water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure isses facing communities in the Northeast. Your involvement is critical – come to D.C. and be heard! Learn More* >>
*note: link is for 2016 NEWEA Congressional Briefing
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Latest News:
What is Clean and Safe Water Worth?
NEWEA’s President, Matthew Formica, AECOM and MeWEA’s President, Peter Goodwin have written an opinion article that was recently published in the Bangor, ME Daily News. Read More >>
Annual Planning Session Focussed on Financial Health
The 9th annual planning session was held at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island on March 9 &10. This year’s session was to review the financial health of NEWEA and to ensure its longevity. While the Association is fiscally sound with adequate reserves, the Association has been investing, and undertaking activities/initiatives to improve the value of the Association for our members while also advancing the mission, which has resulted in an unbalanced budget. Discussions led by facilitators Virgil Lloyd, Fuss & O’Neill and John Trofatter, Duperon Corp. focused on Spring Meeting, Fundraising, Specialty Seminars, and Membership fees/structure. A fifth item, office space and financial investments, will be addressed by the Senior Management Team (SMT), staff and the NEWEA Finance Committee separately.
New England Stormwater Collaborative Announce 2014 Stormy Awards
The 2014 Stormy Award winners were announced during New England Water Works Association’s (NEWWA) Annual Meeting on April 1 in Worcester, MA. Five (5) awards were given to those highlighted ideas or simple, effective ways to boost funding, staff capacity, or political support for stormwater programs. Read More >>
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Outreach: Mr. & Mrs. Fish Visit Fairlawn, ME Elementary School
Mr. and Mrs. Fish
International marine and environmental educators “Mr. and Mrs. Fish”, a.k.a Jeff and Deb Sandler of South Portland, Maine, will be performing 2, one-hour long marine education programs at the Fairview Elementary School in Auburn, Maine on Friday April 17.
Their presentations at the Fairview School are sponsored by a collaboration between the Maine Water Environment Association (MeWEA) and the New England Water Environment Association(NEWEA) Read More >>
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On the Safe Side… : Announcing the Safety Survey and Logo Contest
Wastewater Facility Safety Survey for 2014 work year just released!
The committee is seeking feedback from facilities to collect regional accident and injury statistics to increase safety awareness; create a benchmark for safety programs and ultimately minimize accidents/injuries. Completed survey forms will be entered into a drawing.
Take the Survey Online or Download Survey PDF – Deadline is Friday, May 15
Click here to read the 2013 Safety Survey Results
The NEWEA Safety Committee is looking for a new logo!
Submit your safety logo ideas by October 16 and you could win a one-night stay at the 2016 NEWEA Annual Conference, lunch with the Safety Committee, attendance at the Awards Luncheon and a T-shirt with your logo on it! Learn More >>
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Calendar of Events : See you there!
April 14-15, 2015
Congressional Briefing
Washington, D.C.
April 28, 2015
Water Reuse & Industrial Wastewater Conference
University of Hartford’s Conference Center, Hartford, CT
June 7-10, 2015
NEWEA Spring Meeting & Exhibit
Mt. Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, NH
October 19-22, 2015
North East Residuals & Biosolids Conference at BioCycle REFOR15
Doubletree Hotel, Danvers, MA
October 26-27, 2015
CSO/Wet Weather Specialty Conference & Exhibit
UMASS Conference Center & Inn, Lowell, MA
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Do you have an item you want to see here or think is newsworthy? Please contact the NEWEA office or Geri Ciardelli, Chair of Newsletter Committee at CiardelliG@nashuanh.gov
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