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CHCC is the premiere HVAC Contractor's association in Connecticut, serving 180+ member companies statewide, our members success is our business. We strive to deliver innovative educational programs and networking events that contribute to your business and future success in today's competitive local market. Comfort Connection is your monthly publication with all of the association events and happenings as well as industry news and vendors who support your industry. CHCC - Supporting the Industry that Supports You
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Mingle & Jingle
!!! CHANGE NOTICE !!! |
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2020 has certainly proven itself to be a difficult year, and we are so grateful for our industry gains, and dedicated members that have been patient, committed and supportive. We are disappointed that the Mingle has been taken from our Jingle. We wish each of you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season. In the mean time... we will keep on planning and roll'n with the changes - and preparing for some fantastic shenanigans, full pints and bright lights to kick off the first day of Spring at our Shamrock Shindig (@ Mohegan Sun).
We want to pay tribute and recognize 10 companies, in particular, who have gone above and beyond; ensuring all of our programs and services are able to run smoothly and helping us to keep going during these challenging times...
Thank you so much to all of our Annual Sponsors - please take note of those who support the industry that supports you. |
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| Please take note of the vendors who support the advancement of the industry. |
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| Stay tuned - more details to follow. |
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GOLF / TRADE SHOW EVENT
A special thank you to all who participated in this years event. Despite being thrown multiple curveballs, continual changes and many uncertainties, not to mention the weather (hadn't rained in what felt like months), we pulled off a much needed day of great networking and fun while staying within guidelines. This year brought out 144 Golfers (two full shotguns)! Two dozen vendors and many wonderful industry leaders who lent their name in support. Cheers to this industry for all your support! |
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Your Opinion Matters!
Instead of sending a typical survey, we want to hear from you. Pick up the phone and give us a call, or send us a quick email with your feedback on this years event. Knowing this was not a typical year for trade show and attendance was not there - we sold out with two full courses on golf. We want your venue feedback, breakfast, lunch, pizza truck, cupcakes, Bloody Mary's, speed of golf, virtual raffle, etc. Do we open bocci? bring in some music? Would you participate again? Are you bummed you missed us? Let us know! We take your thoughts and try to make them happen next year.
We have openings on the trade show committee and will be scheduling a 2021 planning session within in the next few weeks. If you have feedback on the event, suggestions, ideas or just want to be part of the planning - please let us know, contact CHCC Executive Director Jenn Jennings, jjennings@chcca.net, (860) 533-1163, CHCC President, Joe DeFusco, Golf Committee Chairman Chris Perley or Trade Show Committee Chairman Don Wheeler. |
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| At CHCC we gratefully welcome and acknowledge the input of all of our members. Together, our mission to strengthen and further trade relations, attract, educate and train necessary manpower, represent members at all levels of government and review and establish quality standards and procedures can be realized. A Special thanks to those who have contributed. |
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CHCC is a non profit trade association coming up on our 49th year of service. We are small, but the largest HVAC organization in CT (180 Members), we are local (Connecticut based) and we are your Voice! We are here to serve our membership, to enhance and to better he HVAC Industry. Event sponsorship continues to be, an effective way of increasing the visibility of our associate members.
Industry Trade Associations play important roles in promoting trade laws, providing networking opportunities among competitors, providing a voice for the industry when it comes to regulations and new legislation and providing tools such as best practices, code updates, classes and more for our industry.
Please take note of the event sponsors, the companies that support the industry that supports you!
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| 2019: Back Row - Chris Perley, Ralph Fico, Jim Chard, Eric D'Eramo, Joe DeFusco, Bryan Mackenzie, Hank Cullinane, Front Row - Jenn Jennings, Victoria Herrmann, Not Pictured: Don Wheeler, Matt Briand, Nick Nedjoika, Brent Davenport, Steve Zagurski |
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CHCC Government Relations Article
2020 State Election Recap and Results
Two Key Takeaways – Democrat gains include a new Senate “supermajority” and New Legislative Leadership for 2021
While the vote counting and election reviews may still be ongoing at the national level, here in Connecticut most, but not all, of the 187 state legislative races were decided within 48 to 72 hours after the election. A determinative outcome in a few races lingered a little longer, however, but as of late Friday the last race was officially decided following a recount in the 90th House District (Wallingford/Yalesville/Cheshire), where 2-term incumbent republican Representative Craig Fishbein narrowly held onto his seat, after originally being declared the loser. As a result, when the 2021 state legislative session of the Connecticut General Assembly convenes in January, the makeup of the two chambers will be as follows:
State Senate
24 Democrats (net +2)
12 Republicans
State House of Representatives
97 Democrats (net +7)
54 Republicans
As a result of their gains in the elections, starting in 2021 the Democrat-majority in the state senate will now be a “supermajority” (meaning occupying two thirds of the seats or more), the primary implication of this being the ability to override any gubernatorial vetoes. In the state house, however, control of 101 seats is required for a supermajority.
In the state senate, there will be three new faces, including Jorge Cabrera (D) in the 17th District (Hamden, Woodbridge, Ansonia, etc.) who defeated incumbent Sen. George Logan (R) in a rematch from 2018; Rep. Rick Lopes (D) in the 6th District (New Britain, Berlin, Farmington) who will move from the House to the Senate after defeating incumbent Sen. Gennaro Bizzarro (R) in what was also a rematch of a previous special election from 2018; and Paul Cicarella (R) in the 34th District (North Haven, Wallingford, East Haven, etc.) who will fill the open seat resulting from the retirement of outgoing Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano. Additionally, over in the state house, there will be over 20 new members, representing both sides of the political aisle. Notably, in the 30th House District (Berlin) seat held by longtime Representative and outgoing Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz (D), Republican candidate Donna Veach was the winner over her Democrat opponent. Likewise, in the 114th House District (Derby, Orange and Woodbridge), a seat held by longtime Representative and outgoing House Minority Leader Themis Klarides (R), Democrat candidate Mary Welander prevailed over her Republican opponent.
Following the elections, each of the four legislative caucuses convened to select their leadership for the upcoming legislative session. As a result of retirements, the state legislature was in the unique position of having 3 out 4 top leadership posts being vacated at once. In the House, the Democrats selected current Majority Leader Rep. Matt Ritter of Hartford to be the next Speaker of the House, succeeding outgoing Speaker Aresimowicz. Rep. Jason Rojas of East Hartford was selected as the next Majority Leader, succeeding Ritter in that post. On the Republican side, current Deputy Minority Leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford was selected by his colleagues to the new House Minority Leader, succeeding outgoing Minority Leader Klarides. Rep. Tom O’Dea of New Canaan will be the new Deputy Minority Leader, succeeding Candelora. Over in the state senate, while the Democrats kept their leadership intact, with Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney of New Haven and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk both selected to serve another term as leaders in their caucus, the Republicans selected new leadership. Senator Kevin Kelly of Stratford will be the new Senate Minority Leader, succeeding outgoing Minority Leader Len Fasano. Senator Paul Formica of East Lyme will be the new Deputy Minority Leader, succeeding current Minority Leader Kevin Witkos.
While each of the legislative leaders brings different personalities, leadership styles and policy agendas to their new positions, one thing they all have in common will be the uncertainty surrounding how the legislature will conduct its business when the session is scheduled to convene in early January. Notably, the state Capitol has been effectively closed outsiders since mid-March. In addition to dealing with the process concerns and workflow for the new legislature, the leaders will inevitably be working with Governor Lamont and his administration on a new biennial state budget, which will be proposed in February. In addition, several leaders have indicated other important topics they would like to see addressed in the upcoming session, including issues surrounding healthcare, taxes, sports gaming, recreational marijuana, early voting, and Covid-19 response and recovery, among other pressing issues. Per the state Constitution, the 2021 state legislative session is currently scheduled to convene on Wednesday, January 6th.
Now That Elections Are Over, It Is Time To Speak Up And Educate Lawmakers - Tell Your State Legislators Your Workforce Needs!
The elections may be over but state legislators still need to be educated on the needs of their constituents – YOU – so now is a great time to introduce yourself and tell them about CHCC’s top advocacy issue – the need make changes to the state’s restrictive hiring ratios so HVAC contractors can hire additional apprentices! While CHCC continues to lead efforts behind the scenes at the state Capitol along with representatives from other open shop trades as part of the statutorily appointed Ratio Working Group per Public Act 17-76, all legislators need to be educated and informed about this important jobs issue for your industry and other similarly situations trades as well (plumbing, electrical, fire sprinkler, etc.).
Go to the website below and enter your home and/or business address to look up your state legislators. All it takes is a few quick clicks and you can visit their official webpage, email them, or get their office phone number to make a call. Remember - as a CHCC member, your voice matters! Please take a moment and reach out on behalf of your industry!
https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp
As always, if you have questions on legislation or regulations or if you would like more information on an issue, please feel free to contact the CHCC Office or CHCC’s Lobbyist Andy Markowski of Statehouse Associates at: (860) 707-3620 or aem@statehouseassociates.com. |
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In uncertain times, your trade association is here to serve you. Interested in joining Connecticut Heating & Cooling Contractors Association? Click the link below to find out more, Membership & Contest Details. |
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Business Grant Open:
Program offers one-time grants to
small businesses impacted by COVID-19 |
Here are some of the eligibility requirements:
· Open to businesses and nonprofits
· Home-based businesses and sole proprietorships are eligible
· 20 or fewer full-time employees or 2019 payroll of less than $1.5 million
· 20% or more loss in revenue year to date as of September 30, 2020 compared with the same period in 2019
· Business established by October 1, 2019 and still active
Grants can be used for:
· Payroll
· Rent/Mortgage
· Utilities
· Inventory
· Purchase of Machinery and/or Equipment
· Cost associated to ensure compliance with
CT Reopen Business Sector Rules
Learn more about eligibility, conditions, and exclusions at business.ct.gov. |
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| Please see items 3 & 4 of recent Executive Order regarding extensions of Continuing Education (Plumbing) requirements and ability for online classes now to February 9, 2021. |
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Saturday, October 17, 2020
Courtyard Marriott, Cromwell
Looking to get a final boost prior to taking the D or S exam? Join your industry colleagues for CHCC's D/S License Prep Course, a review designed to help you achieve results.
Click Here to Register |
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CHCC Code Committee is kicking off a series of virtual webinars featuring a collection of timely and emerging topics pertinent to residential and commercial buildings.
This new Code Connection Series will provide an opportunity to highlight key issues and challenges, recent updates and an overview of codes of interest to Connecticut HVAC/R & Plumbing Contractors.
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Seminars later this month. Each will materialize across a range of engaging formats, from powerpoint, to video overview to interactive discussions. This is a members exclusive series.
Stay tuned for dates and registration details in the coming weeks or visit us at www.chcca.net. In the mean time, make sure to subscribe to our member exclusive code forum on facebook.
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NEW FORUM!!!! Founded and monitored by CHCC Code Committee Chairman, Hank Cullinane. If you are involved in the design, approval, installation or service of HVAC systems, you have experienced the frustration of finding and interpreting building code requirements.
Often, there is no good online resource to help answer questions regarding common code requirements.
Code Connection Forum brought to you by the Connecticut Heating & Cooling Contractors Association, is a member resource for contractors, engineers and code officials to ask questions and or seek out answers to common code questions. Ask to join the group on facebook. |
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Service Roundtable Affiliate
CHCC Members can add this onto their membership for $25 (a 50% discount).Open up a whole new world of discounts, rebate checks, a nationwide network and more.
Click here to learn who Service Roundtable is.
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CHCC 401(k) Opportunity
As an association, we are constantly trying to provide more value to our members. As such, we have launched a group retirement plan benefit exclusively for our contractors. By relying on the bargaining power of a large group.
Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
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