Public Meeting Notice  Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters Meeting - 8.5.26

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In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters will be convening their monthly meeting.

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters convened a regular monthly meeting: 

Microsoft Teams Meeting Wednesday August 5, 2026 at 9:00 am

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 9:00 am, Chair Joseph McNamee called the open meeting to order. 

Informational note: All votes were taken by roll call. Where each member voted in favor, the vote will be reported as unanimous.

Board members present: 

• Mr. Joseph McNamee, Chairman, Master Gas Fitter
• Mr. Harold Knight, Vice-Chairman, Journeyman Plumber
• Mr. John Cruz, Member, LP Installer
• Mr. Bahig A. Kaldas, P.E., Member, plumbing Engineer
• Mr. Wayne Thomas, Member, Journeyman Gas Fitter
• Ms. Ruth Alfasso, Member, Department of Public Health
• Ms. Sarah Badway, Public Member
• Mr. Dan Kilburn, Member, DOL Designee
• Ms. Kimberly Garside, Member, Master Plumber

Board members absent:

DOL Staff present:

• Mr. Michael Auerbach, Board Executive Director
• Mr. Michael Guida, Board Plumbing & Gas Code Consultant 
• Ms. Caitlyn Berry, Licensing Coordinator 
• Ms. Carrie Matheson, Office Support Specialist
• Mr. Charles Kilb, Board Legal Counsel
• Mr. Scott Padden, State Plumbing and Gas Inspector
• Mr. James O’Reilly, State Plumbing and Gas Inspector

Point of Privilege

Chair McNamee recognized Ms. Ruth Alfasso, who is retiring from the Board.  He thanked her for her service and wished her the best in the next chapter in life.

Chair McNamee commemorated Mr. Rick Danforth, Plumbing Inspector from Andover, Groveland and Boxford passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 71.  Chair McNamee expressed his condolences on behalf of the Board.

Chair McNamee also paid tribute to Dave Dibona, who also passed away recently at the age of 54 after a battle with cancer. Mr. Dibona had his own plumbing business, First Class Plumbing and Heating.  The Chair offered his condolences to Mr. Dibona’s family.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

• July 1, 2026, Regular Session  
  • Motion: HK moved to approve; JC seconded
  • Vote Results: Adopted unanimously
• July 1, 2026, Executive Session to be reviewed for the September meeting
• Executive Director Report: Michael Auerbach, Executive Director
  • From July 1-August 1, 2026, staff reviewed and accepted 2,839 Products.
  • Staff reviewed and approved the following licenses during that period:
    • 2 Gas Fitter Apprentice
    • 1 Gas Fitter Corporation/Professional Corporation/LLC
    • 5 Gas Fitter Master
    • 2 Plumbing/Gas Fitter Inspector
    • 77 Plumbing Apprentice
    • 13 Plumbing Corporation/Professional Corporation
    • 46 Plumbing Journeyman
    • 22 Plumbing LLC
    • 24 Plumbing Master

Legal Report – Charles Kilb, Board Counsel

CK – Nothing to report

Discussion

• Plumbing Board Subcommittee update -- Michael Guida 
  • Mr. Guida updated the Board on the progress of the Plumbing Subcommittee, which did not meet in July but will next meet on August 19. 
  • He added that for members of the public interested in making suggestions, those must be in writing via code modification forms available on the Board’s website and can be emailed to him or plumbingboard@mass.gov.
  • During the next Board meeting, there should be a discussion on the status of the  Gas Code Subcommittee and when it meets next.
  • Finally, Mr. Guida thanked everyone who attended the recent “Train the Trainer” event.

Products

None

Vocational Commercial Applications 

None

Change in Meeting Chair

At 9:07 am, Chair McNamee recused himself, relinquishing the Chair to Mr. Knight.

Variances

• 26-PV-161299- John Cannistraro-330 Brookline Ave, Boston.  The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 3.04, Products, Design and Standards, to allow the installation of approximately 180 feet of product‑accepted pipe‑lining material within an existing building drain that contains nine branch connections. The Board of Health and the local inspector have been notified. 
  • Chair McNamee recused himself, relinquishing the Chair to Mr. Knight.
  • Kenneth Regan, Nick Castronovo and Jamison Buckley represented JC Cannistraro, providing information about the variance concerning the project at BIDMC, Feldberg Building.  The proposal was made as the piping in question was directly underneath the sterile processing unit for the hospital that operates 24/7.   
  • JC moved that the proposal be adopted as a test site, with the placement of the wyes clearly delineated in annual reports (including videos of wye placement showing pre and post cleaning) for a period of five years.       WT seconded. 
  • Roll Call:  Adopted unanimously (JM was recused and not participating in this matter).
• 26-PV-161621- Dennis Screnci- 51 Pond St, Belmont. The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 3.04, Products, Design and Standards, to allow the installation of product‑accepted pipe‑lining material within an existing building drain that contains branch connections. The Board of Health and the local inspector have been notified. 
  • Chair McNamee recused himself, relinquishing the Chair to Mr. Knight.
  • This matter was tabled when the applicant was initially not present.       
  • Heard again after 26-PV-161678
  • The applicant indicated the pipe in question was 40 feet in a duplex where it was concerned that pipe replacement would undermine the foundation wall’s structure.  The applicant indicated the owner’s of the duplex would need to vacate the building if the pipe was replaced, several members indicated they did not agree with this suggestion. 
  • Mr. Mark Meads of Rapid Flow Installations expressed his support.
  • JC moved to deny.  WT seconded. 
  • Roll Call:  Motion to deny adopted unanimously.
• 26-PV-161110- Andrew Ferry, 729 Gifford Rd, Westport. The petitioner seeks relief from 248 CMR 10.02 Basic Principles for the need for Disposal of Sewage to allow waste generated from a milking process to discharge to a slurry/manure tank.  The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified. 
  • Chair McNamee recused himself, relinquishing the Chair to Mr. Knight.
  • Mr. Ferry described his situation at his dairy farm and his proposed project.
  • WT moved to take no action.  JC seconded.  Members of the Board felt that the variance was outside of the Board’s jurisdiction. 
  • Roll Call:  Motion to take no action adopted unanimously.
• 26-PV-161345- Michael O’Malley, 139 Campanelli Dr, Uxbridge. The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 10.10, Table 1 Minimum Facilities, not to install the required forty‑six showers for a 448,505 square foot warehouse with a maximum of 295 employees on shift at one time. The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified. 
  • Chair McNamee recused himself, relinquishing the Chair to Mr. Knight.
  • Mr. O’Malley described his tenant improvement project, including floor plans.
  • JC moved to approve but with two showers instead of the proposed one.       DK seconded. 
  • Roll Call:  Motion adopted unanimously.
• 26-PV-161370-Kevin O’Connell, 1 Seafood Way, Boston. The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 3.04, Products, Design and Standards, to allow the installation of a boot‑washing system that is not currently listed on the Product Acceptance list. This is a state project; a Board of Health notification is not required. State Inspector O’Reilly has been notified. 
  • Mr. O’Connell outlined the project.  Inspector James O’Reilly voiced no concerns with the project. The product in question was from Ukraine but met all the same standards as accepted products. 
  • HK moved to approve.  WT seconded.
  • Roll Call:  Motion adopted unanimously.
• 26-PV-161487- Brian Haddock- 166 Worcester St, Taunton. The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 10.06, Table 2 Materials, to allow the use of polyethylene for potable water distribution. This is a post‑installation variance; the Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified. 
  • Mr. Lenny Gaudette (inspector in Taunton) and Eric Miguel (acting inspector in Taunton) presented their thoughts on the project.
  • Mr. Kilb noted that the petitioner was not present and indicated the Board should not take further action. 
  • JC moved to table the petition.  WT seconded. 
  • Roll Call: Motion adopted unanimously.
  • Mr. Haddock later joined the meeting and was permitted by the Chair to describe his request after 26-PV-161605.  The only hardships presented were the cost of correcting the code violation and the need for an installation and family issues, the applicant did not indicate why this material was necessary. 
  • JC moved to deny.  HK seconded. 
  • Roll Call:  Motion to deny adopted unanimously.
• 26-PV-161605-Kevin Boyle-795 Bedford St, Bridgewater. The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 10.10, Table 1 Minimum Facilities, not to install the required mop sinks on each floor of a storage facility, but instead to install one mop sink on the first floor only. The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified. 
  • Mr. Kevin Boyle provided an overview of the project.  Members noted the space involved was 30,000 square feet.  The only hardship was a reference to possible loss of retail space. 
  • DK moved to deny.  JC seconded.
  • Roll Call:  Motion to deny adopted unanimously.
• 26-PV-161678- Paul Dionne- 1 Burtt Rd, Andover. The petitioner is requesting relief from 248 CMR 10.13, Piping and Treatment of Special Wastes, to allow the indirect waste connection of a laboratory sink into an existing trough drain. The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified. 
  • Mr. Mike Gillis, representing PJ Dionne, was on hand to present the request.  Mr. Kosuke Fujiwara of Hollom ICS presented the project’s designs.
  • Chair McNamee recused himself.  Mr. Knight took the Chair
  • Mr. Guida stated that the inspector from Andover was not present but contacted the Board to state his opposition to the variance.
  • It was noted that this was a post installation variance.  The applicant indicated the hardship was it would require cutting up the nearby floor shutting down operations.       
  • JC moved to deny.  BK seconded.
  • Roll Call:  Motion to deny unanimously approved.
• 26-PV-161713- Michael Moran- 125 Northeast Cutoff, Worcester. The petitioner is requesting relief from 248 CMR 10.10(15), Table 1 Minimum Facilities, to remove four existing shower stalls and install eight new shower stalls within an existing bathroom serving an office and manufacturing facility. The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified.  
  • After the vote on 26-PV-161621, Mr. McNamee took the Chair.
  • Mr. Michael Moran provided an overview of the project.  David Berryman of Newberry Design Associates provided further information.
  • Board Counsel Kilb clarified that the variance was entered as a post-installation variance.  Mr. Moran confirmed that the project is complete but that the showers have not been removed, thus it is code compliant currently.  Mr. Kilb indicated that the variance should be of a pre-installation nature.
  • WT moved that the Board approve the variance contingent on the re-submission of the variance application as a pre-installation variance.  DK seconded.
  • Roll Call:  Motion approved unanimously.
• 26-PV-161720-Christopher Heafey- 967 Old Post Road, Walpole. The petitioner is requesting relief from 248 CMR 10.15(9)(a), Sanitary Drainage Systems, to allow the installation of an ejector pump to serve a three‑bay sink in place of a gravity drainage connection. The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified.
  • The issue was addressed prior to the meeting and requires no further discussion. 

Appeal of Inspector Decision

None

Board Delegated Staff Approvals

None

For Your Information–board delegated staff approvals – Board vote not required.

None

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters will be convening their monthly meeting.

• 09:00 a.m. Open Meeting Called to Order
  • Note Meeting Recording 
  • Roll Call by Chair for Quorum

• Approval of Meeting Minutes
  • July 1, 2026, Regular Session 
  • July 1, 2026, Executive Session 
• Executive Director Report
  • Staff reviewed and accepted 2,839 Products.
  • Staff reviewed and approved the following licenses:
    • 2 Gas Fitter Apprentice
    • 1 Gas Fitter Corporation/Professional Corporation/LLC
    • 5 Gas Fitter Master
    • 2 Plumbing/Gas Fitter Inspector
    • 77 Plumbing Apprentice
    • 13 Plumbing Corporation/Professional Corporation
    • 46 Plumbing Journeyman
    • 22 Plumbing LLC
    • 24 Plumbing Master
• Legal / Board Counsel Report – Charles Kilb
• Discussion
  • Plumbing Board Code Subcommittee update.
• Product Matters
  • None
• Vocational School Projects
  • None
• Variances

  • 26-PV-161299- John Cannistraro-330 Brookline Ave, Boston. 

    The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 3.04, Products, Design and Standards, to allow the installation of approximately 180 feet of product‑accepted pipe‑lining material within an existing building drain that contains nine branch connections. The Board of Health and the local inspector have been notified.

• 26-PV-161621- Dennis Screnci- 51 Pond St, Belmont. The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 3.04, Products, Design and Standards, to allow the installation of product‑accepted pipe‑lining material within an existing building drain that contains branch connections. The Board of Health and the local inspector have been notified.
  • 26-PV-161110- Andrew Ferry, 729 Gifford Rd, Westport. The petitioner seeks relief from 248 CMR 10.02 Basic Principles for the need for Disposal of Sewage to allow waste generated from a milking process to discharge to a slurry/manure tank.  The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified.
  • 26-PV-161345- Michael O’Malley, 139 Campanelli Dr, Uxbridge. The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 10.10, Table 1 Minimum Facilities, not to install the required forty‑six showers for a 448,505 square foot warehouse with a maximum of 295 employees on shift at one time. The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified.
  • 26-PV-161370-Kevin O’Connell, 1 Seafood Way, Boston. The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 3.04, Products, Design and Standards, to allow the installation of a boot‑washing system that is not currently listed on the Product Acceptance list. This is a state project; a Board of Health notification is not required. State Inspector O’Reilly has been notified.
  • 26-PV-161487- Brian Haddock- 166 Worcester St, Taunton. The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 10.06, Table 2 Materials, to allow the use of polyethylene for potable water distribution. This is a post‑installation variance; the Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified.
  • 26-PV-161605-Kevin Boyle-795 Bedford St, Bridgewater. The petitioner is seeking relief from 248 CMR 10.10, Table 1 Minimum Facilities, not to install the required mop sinks on each floor of a storage facility, but instead to install one mop sink on the first floor only. The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified.
• 26-PV-161678- Paul Dionne- 1 Burtt Rd, Andover. The petitioner is requesting relief from 248 CMR 10.13, Piping and Treatment of Special Wastes, to allow the indirect waste connection of a laboratory sink into an existing trough drain. The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified.
• 26-PV-161713- Michael Moran- 125 Northeast Cutoff, Worcester. The petitioner is requesting relief from 248 CMR 10.10(15), Table 1 Minimum Facilities, to remove four existing shower stalls and install eight new toilets within an existing bathroom serving an office and manufacturing facility. This is a post‑installation variance.  The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified. 
  • 26-PV-161720-Christopher Heafey- 967 Old Post Road, Walpole. The petitioner is requesting relief from 248 CMR 10.15(9)(a), Sanitary Drainage Systems, to allow the installation of an ejector pump to serve a three‑bay sink in place of a gravity drainage connection. The Board of Health and the Local Inspector have been notified.
• Appeal Of Inspector Decision 
• None
• Board Delegated Staff Approvals – Special Permission – None
• Board Delegated Staff Approvals (FYI) – Board Vote Not required – 
• George Hills-Full Operation Letter-25-DAGV-91233-Rochester.
• Russel Perry- Full Operation Letter-26-DAGV-160430- New Bedford
• Daniel Mclntyre-26-DAPV-161055- Winchendon
• Daniel Mclntyre-26-DAPV-161056- Dunstable

Delegated Vocational School Project Approvals - None

• Items not reasonably anticipated by the Chair
• Quasi-Judicial Session - Disciplinary decisions - Closed per M.G.L c. 30A, §18
• Executive Session – Character Reviews
  • AS
  • CT
  • JP
  • LC
• Investigative Conference - Closed per M.G.L. c. 112, § 65C

Adjournment: Next monthly board meeting is September 2, 2026

Note: If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please reach out to Cheryl Yebba at 617- 701-8711. The Agency will make best efforts to accommodate requests received in a timely manner.