PLC Member Weekly Update Dec. 16, 2022

PLC Membership Renewals Were Due Dec. 1!

Renew Now!

Members, now is the time to renew your membership in the PLC for 2023 if you have not already done so. Renewal letters mailed out two months ago and if you have not received one yet please contact jessica@maineloggers.com. Thank you to all who have renewed already! The deadline was Dec. 1. The PLC is extending this deadline to Dec. 16 for those who have not renewed.

The PLC is your voice and advocate and is fighting for your business, your industry, and your future. We need your support to continue standing up for Maine loggers during these challenging times.

We have also made the online renewal process easier than ever and we encourage you to take advantage of this option if you prefer. To do so, click on the link below.

Renewals were due by Dec. 1. Don’t delay, renew now!

Please note – If 50% or more of your employees attended PLC Safety Trainings this year, no dues will be assessed for your renewal, but we still need your online or paper renewal form filled out.

As a reminder, if you are in the PLC/Acadia Dividend Program and you do not renew by the deadline, your company will be at risk for non-continuance in the Dividend Program in 2023

RENEW NOW

PLC Christmas Ornaments to Benefit Log A Load for Kids!

Add some sparkle to your tree with PLC’s very own Logging Christmas Ornaments, this year in a new color – Iridescent White!!

100% of the proceeds from the sale of these ornaments go to our Log-A-Load for Maine Kids fund-raising efforts to benefit Maine’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals: The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center.

These high quality ornaments are made in Maine and with durable metal construction, will last for many years! Don’t wait, these ornaments sell out every year, so make sure you order yours TODAY!

Price:

1 for $12

2 for $20

4 for $36

To learn more or to order online CLICK HERE

You may also order directly by emailing Vanessa at office@maineloggers.com. Order now!

Tax Reminder: New law extends COVID tax credit for employers who keep workers on payroll

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service urges employers to take advantage of the newly-extended employee retention credit, designed to make it easier for businesses that, despite challenges posed by COVID-19, choose to keep their employees on the payroll.

The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, enacted December 27, 2020, made a number of changes to the employee retention tax credits previously made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), including modifying and extending the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), for six months through June 30, 2021. Several of the changes apply only to 2021, while others apply to both 2020 and 2021.

As a result of the new legislation, eligible employers can now claim a refundable tax credit against the employer share of Social Security tax equal to 70% of the qualified wages they pay to employees after December 31, 2020, through June 30, 2021. Qualified wages are limited to $10,000 per employee per calendar quarter in 2021. Thus, the maximum ERC amount available is $7,000 per employee per calendar quarter, for a total of $14,000 in 2021. LEARN MORE

Sign up for health insurance at CoverME.gov by the January 15 deadline for coverage to start February 1st

Free assistance is available to help Mainers understand options and enroll in coverage.

Visit CoverME.gov or call Consumers for Affordable Health Care, Maine’s Consumer Assistance Program at 1-800-965-7476 for free, confidential help sorting through options and enrolling in coverage. Most Mainers who signed up for coverage through CoverME.gov last year received help paying for their coverage and that help is available again this coming year.

Don’t wait! Some options are time limited. Enroll in a Marketplace plan before the January 15 deadline for coverage to start February 1^st. Mainers who are eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Maine Care can apply for Maine Care any time during the year. Call 1-800-965-7476 before January 15th for help understanding your options and enrolling in coverage.

Consumers for Affordable Health Care (CAHC) is a nonprofit organization designated as Maine’s Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program by Maine’s Attorney General.  CAHC does not sell insurance.  Our trained assisters can provide free, confidential help over the phone. In-person appointments are also provided if needed but space is limited. Don’t wait if you need insurance. You can visit CoverME.gov to explore plans or call 1-800-965-7476 before January 15, 2023 if you want help enrolling in coverage to start February 1st.

New Opportunity to Recruit Veterans For Your Job Openings!

Send Job Openings to PLC

Members,

The PLC is working with the nonprofit organization Boots2Roots to connect your companies with a new pool of potential skilled workers – veterans recently retired from the military or planning to be who are seeking employment in Maine.

Boots2Roots is the only organization in Maine specifically focused on preparing active duty military members up to a year before they begin their transition for immediate success in Maine, while providing a pipeline of new workforce talent to Maine employers.

The PLC has been granted access to post jobs from our members on the Boots2Roots portal. This will put your job openings in front of veterans accessing the site. As most of you are aware, many veterans have skills or experience applicable to the logging industry, and a proven work ethic. This is a great opportunity!

Send your job openings to PLC Office Coordinator Vanessa Tillson at office@maineloggers.com and she will get them posted for you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office at 207-688-8195.

Save the Date and Reserve Rooms Now!

PLC Annual Meeting May 4-5 2023

It is not too early to start thinking about the 2023 PLC Annual Meeting and Log A Load Auction! The meeting will be held May 4-5 2023 at the Harborside Hotel in Bar Harbor. Rooms are already available to book so why not reserve a room now?

Click here to book a room or use: https://www.opalcollection.com/harborside/stay/

Group Code: MEPL050423

Steps to reserve a room at the Harborside Hotel:

1. Click on Link (can also type in the group code)
2. At the top of the web site modify the dates of your stay – 1 or 2 nights
3. You will not be charged until the event and the resort fee will be waived

 Questions? Email office@maineloggers.com

PLC Members Only!

Equipment Cost Calculators Available

Members,

With expenses rising rapidly in the industry we know you are struggling to get a handle on your costs. This is a great time to utilize the cost calculators created in 2021 for PLC Members.

These new, easy to use, logging equipment and log trucking cost calculators are available on the PLC Members Only section of our web site You may access this private section of the web site with your member login or set up a login HERE.

These calculators allow you to quickly estimate the hourly cost of operation for any piece of your equipment.

DISCLAIMER: These calculators are being made available for your business use as a member benefit. They produce equipment estimates and are not official products of the PLC nor should they be used for negotiation purposes.

PLC Online Store

PLC Upcoming Meetings

PLC Executive Board Meeting

Feb. 9  

PLC Office, Augusta ME

PLC Safety Committee Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the Oct. 25 meeting of the PLC Safety Committee are now available. Check them out at10-25-22 Safety Committee Meeting Notes.

Acadia Safety Reminder and Dividend 2022

Acadia Dividend Announcement and Reminder: Members who are part of the PLC Safety Group Dividend Program, let’s keep our focus on safety going forward as we are currently running a positive loss ratio for 2022! This means if we can hold the line on safety, we are on track to receive another year of dividends in 2023! Since 1999, Acadia has distributed over $13 million in premium dividends to eligible participants of this safety group. This year, Acadia Insurance announced it will pay $970,903 in premium dividends to eligible policyholder members of the PLC Safety Group. You may read the full announcement on the latest dividend HERE.

CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certification: Did you know your employees are required to have this training every two years? If your employees need this training in 2022, contact Jessica at Jessica@maineloggers.com or 207-688-8195 and the PLC will schedule training in your area. THIS TRAINING IS FREE TO MEMBERS!

NEW Featured HumpDay Safety Video – Working Focused

Now FREE to Maine Loggers! A $300 value!

LEARN MORE

Last 3G Sunset Date Is December 31, 2022

Mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks, which may impact motor carriers if their ELDs rely on a 3G network. Read more about the 3G sunset.

The final announced 3G sunset date is December 31, 2022, when Verizon will complete the shutdown of its 3G network.

Any ELD that requires 3G cellular connectivity to perform its functionality will no longer be in compliance with the technical specifications in the ELD rule after the 3G network it relies on is sunset.

When in an area that does not support 3G, a 3G device will register a malfunction. In accordance with 49 CFR 395.34, the carrier has 8 days to get the malfunction resolved, in this case by replacement, unless an extension is granted.

Stillwater Ave. Bridge Closing

OLD TOWN – The Maine Department of Transportation will be closing the Stillwater Avenue (Llewellyn Estes) Bridge in Old Town to all traffic from approximately 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 15th to approximately 4:00 a.m. on Friday, December 16th. This closure is necessary while the Old Town Water District secures a water pipe that is hanging underneath the bridge. There will be a detour in place during this closure. The length of the maximum detour is approximately 4.8 miles and involves driving through Orono via Bennoch Road (Route 16), Route 2, and College Avenue. More overnight closures may be required next week for the water district to take further steps to secure the pipe. 

University of Maine researchers discover new uses for paper mill products

Researchers at the University of Maine are studying new applications for paper mill products. Liza White, UMaine biomedical engineering graduate student and Rumford native, grew up seeing the potential threat of closure to the mill in her hometown. 

Woods Wise Wire – December 13, 2022

TRUCKING DISCOUNTS THROUGH THE ALC!

PLC Members, because the PLC is a member of the American Loggers Council YOU are entitled to special discounts on truck purchases! Click on the brand names below to learn more!

PETERBILT

WESTERN STAR

INTERNATIONAL

—

Fabian Oil Discount

Traction Heavy Duty Special

Wallingford’s Discounts

Maine Trailer Discounts

PLC Members get a 5% discount on culverts purchased at Treeline and Frank Martin & Sons

Hale Trailer discounts for PLC Members on new trailer purchases! Call Neal at 207-232-7969 for details!

Cross Arena Discounts for PLC! 

PLC Classified Section

Check out the equipment and job opportunities our members have listed at the LOGGING ZONE! If you have equipment for sale, are looking to buy, are looking for employees, or