In this issue
- Message from the Executive Director
- New Classes available
- Question: Do You Gang Cut Your Studs?
- In Search Of
- Our members – in action
- Interesting Links
- Training
- Events
- Thank You, Members
It’s August, folks, and we’ve got….
Addressing the Acute Housing Crisis
Over the past few months, SEON has been diligently working on several fronts. Although we faced a setback with our Congressional Delegation’s decision not to accept our CDS application, this challenge has only strengthened our resolve to stay focused on our core mission. Stay tuned for some exciting news on this front.
We Welcome Matt Musgrave to the Board of Directors
Matt Musgrave, a lifelong Vermonter, has dedicated the first 20 years of his career to the residential real estate industry, gaining deep insights into the challenges of developing safe, efficient, and affordable homes. Transitioning to the construction field, Matt now serves as the Vermont Regional Director for the Associated Builders and Contractors, NH and VT Chapter. His passion for uniting diverse perspectives to address Vermont’s needs is evident through his involvement in various taskforces and working groups, including Vermont’s lead taskforce, building energy code updates, and workforce development. Matt’s pragmatic approach and dedication make him a valuable asset to every project he undertakes.
Even MORE New Classes Available!
Look below or visit our website to see our newest training. P.S. We are still seeking a building supply company in the northern part of the state that has a suitable classroom facility.
Farewell to Jonathan Morse
Jonathan Morse, one of the founding members of the Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON), has been a pivotal figure in our organization since its inception in 2012. SEON was established in southern Vermont in response to the devastation of Hurricane Irene, recognizing the urgent need for building professionals to understand water and vapor management.
Jonathan, who has worked in the building trades since 1975, moved to the Brattleboro area in 1976 and began working with Rich Blazej, an innovative local builder. He contributed significantly to a solar-heated condo project in Brookline and went on to work with various builders until founding Mindel and Morse Builders with Steve Mindel in 1981.
Throughout his career, Jonathan’s priorities have consistently included energy efficiency, the use of local materials, maintaining a productive and congenial workforce, and ensuring high-quality workmanship. He and his team regularly attended training workshops and seminars, engaging in spirited discussions about building science and energy efficiency. Their commitment to staying ahead of the curve on the latest information and techniques has always been a hallmark of their work.
Jonathan’s emphasis on energy efficiency and natural materials has driven him to educate himself and his employees on cutting-edge ideas, techniques, and materials. His dedication to making buildings as energy-efficient and sustainable as possible has been a cornerstone of his career. As a founding member of SEON, Jonathan has been instrumental in promoting sustainable building practices.
As Jonathan resigns this month, we will miss him tremendously. His contributions to SEON and the building community have been invaluable, and his passion for sustainable building practices will continue to inspire us.
Thank you, Jonathan, for your years of dedication and leadership. You have always been my
North Star when issues of social justice and the “Right thing to do” when difficult decisions
had to be made.
Onward and upward until next month!
Guy Payne
Executive Director
Spread the Word – New Classes are Here!
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Question: Do You Gang Cut Your Studs?
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Do You Gang Cut Your Studs?
“Do you gang cut your studs? What method do you use? This is cutting two rows off a unit of studs, cutting 24 studs per pass with a 10 1/4” circular saw. It took 2 minutes to flush up the ends, measure each end stud, snap a line and cut them.
Have you ever tried to it your studs with a Bigfoot attachment for a chainsaw? We cut our floor systems with that but I’m too scared to try it on studs!
These studs are for new construction partition walls on a dead flat floor system so very easy and consistent. I cut 72 studs in less than 10 minutes”
► Read more at Shelterwood Construction
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Is Search Of…..
We’d love to feature your job site animal and your projects:
Just send us email at: sarah@buildingscience.org
Members in Action
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HELM – Making a Difference
“HELM’s Just program is a voluntary disclosure tool for organizations to elevate internal discussions, policies, and procedures and create a common language and measurement framework for social justice issues. Just is a call to action, and HELM is committed to being a more transparent, equitable, and socially just organization.”
► Read more at HELM Construction Solutions
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Bob’s Getting Better!
“My energy is still touch and go. I expect that will not change anytime soon. I’m working on my fitness level but am still unable to ride my bike up steep hills like I did BC. I try to spend time working on my hammock skills on sunny warm days. I am no longer felling, hauling cutting splitting and stacking several cord of wood each winter. I am slowly working on putting a second floor on my small circa. 1970 house to accommodate the bursting-at-the-seams nature of this domicile.
There was one very dramatic week last fall wherein our roof was removed, The pre-built second floor was lifted onto the one story house and the roof was placed back on top. Now there is a 5 year plan to finish this all off.
Eventually there will be a second floor sleeping porch. Now it is just flappy plastic :-)”
► Read more at Bluetime Collaborative
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Chebeague Island Zum Home
“The Chebeague Island Historical Society will be featuring a Unity Zum in their 2024 “House Tour” event on August 13th, which will include a full Zum tour among other home tours on the island.
Completed in 2023, this Unity Zum was prefabricated using offsite construction methods at our Keene, New Hampshire factory, and then raised on the island in just a few days.”
► Read more at Unity Homes
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A Bathroom Setup
“Our typical bathroom setup. 3/4 Advantech to make for a flat and stiff backer for Kerdi board plus grab bars etc. can go wherever they need to down the road.”
► Read more at Mindel and Morse Builders
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Bird’s Eye Views
“Four homes in Pine Meadows Development, located in Northampton, MA. Constructed on a former golf course, these homes all feature beautiful woodland views, giving you a serene reprieve from the hustle and bustle of town life while still being a quick trip to any amenity you may need. All of the houses are zero-net energy construction, with each house contributing more energy back onto the grid than they consume throughout the year. Development can work hand in hand with environmental conservation and stewardship if you have the right team!”
► Read more at Wright Builders
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The Secret Library
“Secret room unlocked! This amazing library is hidden behind a secret bookcase door that adds a bit of fun and intrigue to this home!”
► Read more at Wadsworth Design Build
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A Look Back – GPI Construction
“2 years ago, GPI construction was putting in the work on Phelps Court with the gut rehab of some of our earliest developed properties. The redevelopment work started that spring alongside the redevelopment of our Canal St and Clark St properties in Brattleboro.”
► Read more at GPI Construction
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Residential Garage Craftsmanship
“This residential garage is coming together beautifully with expert craftsmanship from @wrightbuilders
The deliberate views to the yard, natural materials, and balanced proportions allow this building to transcend its function of housing vehicles and become an integral part of the nearby Japanese inspired garden landscape.”
► Read more about this project from Wright Builders, Inc
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Tree House Season
“Is there a tree house season? This feels like it! ☀️ Such a unique spot!
Pictured Here: Direct glaze windows, urban casements and awnings, and a bifold door. Mixed grain Douglas fir interior. ⠀”
► Read more at Sierra Pacific Windows
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Deep Work Sanctuary!
“The Story: A nearby client spent years working remotely in the technology industry, with occasional trips to New York, Silicon Valley or Europe. Time during the pandemic encouraged a long-standing dream: to have a standalone office on his property that would provide an ideal space for both work and hobbies.”
► Read more at Apple Tree Builders
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Outdoor Space along the Ottauquechee River
“Tidying up a deck installation along the Ottauquechee River in Quechee, Vermont.
The next exciting step is removing a double window and replacing it with a beautiful French Door. 👀 Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance this stunning outdoor space!”
► Read more at Housewright Construction
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Efficiency Vermont to the Rescue
“Efficiency Vermont is proud to be a partner in the new energy efficient and all-electric farmworker housing at Riverview Dairy in Franklin!
The project was possible with the help of several key partners. Funded by the @vthousingconservationboard and administered through @champlainhousingtrust, we’re also proud to work with the Milk With Dignity Standards Council (MDSC) in their longstanding advocacy for healthy, comfortable, and energy efficient new housing for Vermont’s dairy workers. The MDSC’s efforts helped secure grants that funded a significant portion of the construction. Other partners include the Vermont Low Income Trust for Electricity (VLITE), the @vtcommfoundation, and the @vtagriculture @vtworkinglands initiative.
Denna says she’s really proud of her electric bills: “Vermont dairy has a responsibility to provide safe and dignified housing. This is what it needed to be. It took a long time to get here.”
Denna and Michael at Riverview Dairy were committed to working with local tradespeople to make this new house just right for the people who will call it home. The new housing is a great example of the benefits of high performance construction. The building uses no fossil fuels. Heat pumps meet all heating and cooling needs, with rooftop solar panels to help offset its energy costs. Excellent indoor air quality is achieved with an advanced ventilation system.”
► Read more at Efficiency Vermont
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Interesting Links
► Good stuff Here. A quick history of modernism in the Northeast. Via Robert Swinburne
► Vermont Sees 4.0% Increase in Construction Employment.
► ECHO announces construction of Vermont’s largest freshwater aquarium.
► Vermont again leads nation in ‘equity-rich’ housing
► Vermont maintains a list of registered contractors to avoid scammers for flood damaged homes (SEON has proudly continued to work/promote this State initiative.)
► Want to save an old house? Cheap Old Houses Instagram page wants you to pick this VT one!
Training
► Lead Carpenter Training
4 Tuesdays in September 2024 (begins Sept 3)
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM EST
Cost = $600
Info and Registration Link
► Introduction to Estimating
4 Tuesdays in October 2024 (begins Oct 8)
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM EST
Cost = $600
Info and Registration Link
► Fundamentals of Pre-Construction and Project Management
7 Tuesdays in November & December 2024 (beings Nov 5)
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM EST
Cost = $900
Info and Registration Link
Events
6th annual Arcadia Folk Festival sponsored by Wright Builders, Inc.
• August 23 and 24, 2024
• Easthampton, MA
• Saturday, September 23rd, 2023
The Solidarity Scholarships allow HELM to provide free or discounted consulting and training to BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and women-owned construction and design companies. These communities are underrepresented in our industry and traditionally have less access to business consulting services and training opportunities. We want and need their leadership in our building community!
Thank you, Members
- 475 High Performance Building Supply – Nationwide
- Alan Wall (individual owner) – Chicopee, MA
- All Seasons Construction Corp – Springfield, VT
- Andrew Dey (individual owner) – Walpole, NH
- Apple Tree Builders – Southern, VT
- Bluetime Collaborative – Brattleboro, VT
- Bob Rueter Foundation (individual owner) – Turners Falls, MA
- Building-Wright – Durham, NH
- Delta Energy Works (DEW) – Heat Pump Systems – Brattleboro, VT
- Duane Case (individual owner) – Bellows Falls, VT
- Earthshare Construction – Lebanon, NH
- Efficiency Vermont – Winooski, VT
- EnviroProfit, LLC (lighting) – West Wardsboro, VT
- Farnum Insulators – Dummerston, VT
- Friendly Homes (individual owner) – Vermont
- Friends of the Sun – Brattleboro, VT
- GPI Construction – Brattleboro, VT
- Helm Construction Services – Brattleboro and Montpelier, VT
- HempStone, LLC – Hatfield, MA
- Housewright Construction – Newbury, VT
- Integrated Solar Applications Corporation (“ISA”) – Brattleboro, VT
- JA Saccoccio Workshop, PLLC – Brattleboro, VT
- Junio Anthes-Moody (individual owner) – Vermont
- Mathes Hulme Builders – Brattleboro, VT
- Mindel & Morse Builders – Brattleboro, VT
- Nate Gusakov (individual owner) – Vermont
- Owl’s Head Builders – Guilford, VT
- SEED Design / Build – West Townshend, VT
- Shelterwood – Waitsfield, VT
- Sierra Pacific Windows – Nationwide
- Snowdog Construction – Norwich, VT
- Steve Sebastian (individual owner) – Vermont
- Sustainable Design – Dorset, VT
- Tim Lillis Builder – Bellows Falls, VT
- Tom McLoughlin (individual owner) – Brattleboro, VT
- Unity Homes – Walpole, NH
- VSECU – Brattleboro, VT
- Wadsworth Design | Build – Stratton, Mount Snow & Okemo, VT
- Windham Regional Career Center – Brattleboro, VT
- Wright Builders – Durham, NH
- WW Building Supply – Newfane, VT
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