Minutes of Maryland/DC Damage Prevention Meeting
November 25, 2003

Miss Utility Call Center
Hanover, MD 21076

I. Call To Order and Introduction:
Matt Ruddo (Miss Utility Center) called the regular monthly meeting to order at 9:35am. He stated that he was filling in for Wayne Gilmer (Comcast Montgomery) because Wayne’s father passed away. Introductions were given.

The minutes of October 25, 2003 were approved.

II. New Business:
Dora Parks (Miss Utility Center) stated that the Call Center would be closed for Thanksgiving and that the emergency tickets would be handled through the after hours center in Minnesota.

Tom Hastings (OCCLS) said that he has noticed a large increase in the number of emergencies being called in by tree planting companies.

Tom Baldwin (BGE) said their tree trimming and planting contractors shouldn’t be calling in emergencies. Tom did state that following Hurricane Isabel they had begun a two month “Plant The Tree In The Right Place” Program with the hopes of keeping trees away from overhead power lines. He said that BGE has agreed to take down any trees near their power lines and replace them with smaller ones that would avoid contact with their overhead lines. Tom referred everyone to Bill Reese, head of their Tree Trimming Division, for any questions or comments.

Tom Baldwin stated that the MD/DC Subscribers are attempting to add Design Tickets to the Miss Utility Law in MD. He said the Design Ticket would allow utility owners and the locate companies fifteen days to respond to a ticket by providing locate marks or drawings. He said they have solicited support from the Associated Utility Contractors Association of Maryland (AUCMD) as well as the Anne Arundel County Contractors Association. Tom did say that the AUCMD had reservations supporting the Design Ticket because there were other possible proposed changes to the MD Law.

Zenon Sushko (MDPSC) stated that the MDPSC would not being pursuing any changes to the MD Law this year.

Tom Baldwin said that the Locator Excellence Awards Committee is sending the nomination letter and the press release information out next week. Tom distributed copies of the nomination letter and press release and asked for comments by the end of the business day. Tom reiterated that three locators would be nominated from the seven different MDSHA zones.

Joe Lang (Howard County) asked if the Design Ticket is only going to be allowed for certain types of work.

Matt Ruddo stated that there are certain requirements that need to be met prior to a Design Ticket request; however, it is not specific to particular types of excavation work.

Susan Beall (B. Frank Joy) wanted to know if locators are marking on update tickets.

Tony Burrell (TelCove) and Kelly Hardy (Utiliquest) both stated that they refresh their marks on update tickets.

There was a general discussion about whether or not locators check their locate marks on update tickets. Several stated that the locators should check them, but sometimes the original locator will only refresh the marks vs. performing the locate again.

Tony Burrell wanted to know if the Call Center could pass along the utility companies that are being notified on caller’s tickets. Matt Ruddo stated that the staff does ask callers if they want a list of the utility companies and that the information is also available in the Search and Status section on the Miss Utility website.

There was a general discussion regarding the misconception people have about Miss Utility and the locate marks.

John Reinhardt (Just Locating) stated that people think he is from Miss Utility and that he is going to mark everything. He stated that he is always telling people that they must wait for all utility locators to respond or mark.

Dennis Lescalleet (Pleasants Construction) said that he has had his own foreman think that only one locator will mark.

Tom Baldwin stated that he has had instances in which MDSHA contractors are digging without calling Miss Utility first. He is concerned because a contractor, who did not call Miss Utility prior to excavation, barely missed a 4 inch high pressure gas line. He stated that it is very important that contractors call Miss Utility before digging.

There was a general discussion about putting together an excavator manual for Maryland. Several people thought it would be a great idea to put together a booklet with information such as the MD Law, marking standards, etc.

Zenon Sushko was asked if federal dollars would be available to fund an excavator manual initiative. He stated that federal funding has steadily decreased; however, he would look into it for 2004.

Matt Ruddo reported that there has been a steady increase in the number of ITIC tickets being processed through the internet application.

Upcoming Damage Prevention Presentations:
None are scheduled at this time.

Upcoming Trade shows:
February 5 & 6, 2004 Contractors & Builders Supply Show at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA

March 24, 2004 BuilderMart at the MD State Fairgrounds in Timonium, MD

Upcoming Meetings:
The next Maryland/DC Damage Prevention meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2004 at Miss Utility Center. Coffee and donuts at 9:00am, meeting at 9:30am.

The next Maryland/DC Subscribers meeting is scheduled for January 15, 2004 at the Miss Utility Center. Meeting will begin at 9:00am.

The next Maryland/DC Advertising meeting is scheduled for February 24, 2004 at the Miss Utility Center. Meeting will follow the Damage Prevention meeting at 11:00am.

There being no further business to be brought before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:25m.

Attendee List
Name		Company		Phone		Fax		Email
John Reinhart		Just Locating		410-923-4411		410-923-3161
Zenon Sushko		MDPSC		410-767-8113		410-333-0884		EMAIL
Karen Watkins		SMECO		301-274-4350		240-528-9757		EMAIL
Kelly Hardy		Utiliquest		410-787-7088		410-787-7417		EMAIL
Dennis Lescalleet		Pleasants Construction		301-428-0800		240-403-1104		EMAIL
Bob Murray		Verizon		301-230-5025		301-881-9397		EMAIL
Matt Ruddo		Miss Utility Center		410-712-0056		410-712-0062		EMAIL
Deborah McCrossin		Masters, Inc.		301-252-3327		301-840-3509		EMAIL
Tom Hastings		OCC Locating Services		410-712-0202		410-712-0202		EMAIL
Dena Walters		OCC Locating Services		410-712-0202		410-712-0202		EMAIL
Calvin Brooks		Howard County		410-313-4934		410-313-4989
Tony Burrell II		TelCove		240-446-9493		240-629-3368		EMAIL
Susan Beall		B. Frank Joy LLC		301-699-7767		301-699-6009		EMAIL
Dora Parks		Miss Utility		410-782-2026		410-712-0062		EMAIL
Joe Lang		Howard County		410-313-4971		410-313-4989
Tom Baldwin		BGE		410-291-3121		410-291-3677		EMAIL