The Owners' Manual Newsletter | Issue 22 | Fall 2021

2021 ▬ issue 22 ▬ fall

issue 22, fall 2021

Photo credit: Heather Halotek, Meriden Featuring some of the ingredients for the ESOP Month care packages.

BL Buzz Around BL..........................................1-2 Get to Know.......................................3-7 ESOP Behind the Scenes...................8-9 Question of the Quarter................11-12 Cover Project......................................13 LinkedIn..........................................17-19

FYI IT Tip..................................................10 Safety Tip..........................................14 Client Care Corner.....................15-16 Legal Tip...........................................20 Upcoming Events.............................21

Front & Back Covers: Costco (South Windsor, CT) in construction - see page 13 for more project pictures. Photo credit: Lisa Pavano.

Our BL Bowlers took home two trophies at AIA Connecticut’s Bowling Invitational. Congrats to our ringer, Dan Turner, who had the highest overall score.

Team BL participated in Junior Achievement’s Virtual Office

Olympics and took home the coveted Golden Shredder (1st Place!!)

Tim Myjak and Chris Gagnon represented BL at a recent golf tournament that BL sponsored.

Ian McPhillips was happy to be a new ESOP participant, and his daughters were happy to have a new fashionable shirt. :)

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It’s a small world! Kathy Rodo and Mike Shepley randomly ran into each other at the USA soccer game at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Mike Moonan (Warwick, RI office) represented BL at the New England Park Association 2021 Fall Conference.

Our Survey and Environmental teams held a training session for some new equipment! The Trimble TDC150 GNSS Handheld Receiver can track multiple satellite systems with a high degree of accuracy. This tool will be used for wetland locations, boring layouts, and other locations.

There is a gem of a recreational trail in Carlisle, PA that BL Companies contributed to creating! BL provided land surveying, landscape architecture, structural engineering and civil engineering services for the design, permitting and construction administration of the LeTort Spring Run Rails to Trails project. Mark Heeb & Greg Holtzman from the Harrisburg office were the Landscape Architects of record. It’s an asset to the community and some of our BL bikers have logged many miles there. Be sure to check it out if you’re ever in the area.

MAY 2021

Get To Know Employee Owners

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Megan Burke Meriden Office

When did you join BL Companies? As an intern, May 2019, Full-Time May 2021 What made you decide to come to BL Companies? Bret Boudreaux knew me from University of Saint Joseph where I worked in Marketing and Public Relations, asked if I was interested

What did you want to be when you grow up? A lawyer or an actuary. What is a favorite vacation or dream destination? Dream destination is Ireland. My dad is from England (where I’ve been many times), and his dad is from Ireland where we have yet to go. Who inspires you and why? My parents and my brother. They are 3 of the smartest people I have ever known, and I only hope one day to be as accomplished as they are. Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be good? Moving to Florida before starting my junior year of high school. What do you miss most about being a kid? My mom doing my laundry… Do you have a TV binge/Movie/Book/Music worth recommending? Any book by Peter Swanson. What is something you learned in the last week? Or since joining BL? The importance of workplace culture. Upon graduating, many of my friends found full- time jobs… since their start date (just months ago) they are already unhappy, and hate going to work. I never understood how important it is to have values in place that where you work and what you do enjoyable.

in interviewing to be a marketing intern. Tell us a little about yourself! I went to school at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT, where I got a B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Actuarial Science and a minor in Accounting. I also was a part of the softball and cheerleading teams. I currently live in Middletown, CT with my fish Vincenzo, but I miss my dog Giblet who is back home with my parents in North Carolina. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I enjoy running, roller blading, and playing for my slow pitch softball team.

Mom and Dad

Big Brother, Colin

Giblet

Vincenzo

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When did you join BL Companies? May, 2021 What made you decide to come to BL Companies?

I was at my previous company for 15 years and was released after they exited the coal power generation market. I wanted to work for a firm that was growing, and BL was looking for a pipe expert while being conveniently located in Hartford CT. Tell us a little about yourself! I grew up in Stamford, CT and went to school at UConn in Storrs, CT. Graduated in 2005 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and again in 2010 with a Master’s in Business Administration. I currently live in South Windsor, CT with my wife Lindsay and son, Nicholas. He’s two, full of energy, and never sleeps. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Used to enjoy home improvement, happy hours, and binge-watching TV shows before I became a Dad. Now, there is no free time. Seriously zero. What is a favorite vacation or dream destination? Always a good time in Clearwater Beach, FL. If you won the lottery, what’s your splurge? Just give me a nice big house and an early retirement. Who’s your celebrity look alike? I’ve been told I resemble Steve Carrel (old version, with a beard and glasses). What do you miss most about being a kid? Playing outdoors til sundown. We had a great neighborhood full of kids our age. What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time? I’ve been studying stock charts since 2005. When money is involved its always quite a thrill. What is something you learned in the last week? Or since joining BL? Since joining BL, I’ve learned not only how to write procedures for gas piping, but also how to read all those colorful CBYD markings in the road. Now, you notice them everywhere…

Hartford Office Anthony Guarnieri

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It was all hands on deck for prepping and packing up the care packages for ESOP Month (along with some special helpers). Thanks to all involved - we hope you’ve been enjoying all the goodies!

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IT TIP

DIY System Maintenance It is important that you take some time to do some general cleanup and maintenance of your local station. Almost every application will create some kind of temporary information while you are working and that information can add up. Please take a moment to review the list below on locations to review and clean up. Please understand that for those with BL Equipment at home that the IT Department does not have the common or direct access for them to update and maintain your station without you being available and connected.

Clean UP 1. Your local machines Desktop.

Please make sure that project related information is saved into the correct project folder on the network. If your station is not available for any reason, that information will also not be available. Please remember, your local computer data is not backed up whereas our network is. 2. REVIT users Please remove the associated *.RVT and * Support Folder for closed and completed projects located in your DOCUMENTS folder. 3. You can remove anything inside the C:\TEMP folder and C:\{YOUR LOGIN NAME}\ APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP folders. If prompted, please select SKIP as some components are actively in use and cannot be deleted. 4. Pictures and Videos It is easy to forget about them, but they can also use up a lot of space.

Maintenance 1. Windows 10 updates

These are best run after hours to minimize any prolonged downtime while it completes. ONLY install the suggested updates and not the OPTIONAL or MAJOR FEATURE UPDATES. 2. Dell Command Updates These are best run after hours to minimize any prolonged downtime while it completes. 3. RESTART your station It is best to restart your station when you are done for the day. This will release

any locks that may have been generated as well as return your station back to its best working order. Disconnecting from a remote session is not the same as doing a restart.

Question of the Quarter What is your favorite or most memorable school photo?

moments.

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I totally pull off this mustache!

Michael Archer 12th Grade Pittsburgh Office I was wearing shorts, knee braces and high-tops from the waist down. We had summer basketball after my picture was taken.

Ray Bjorkman Meriden Office Feat. Niece and Nephew

Joy Kloss 12th Grade Meriden Office I decided to chop off my long hair junior year and looking back it was a big mistake. And yes… that is a bear claw necklace.

Tyler Meek 1st or 2nd Grade Meriden Office There’s definitely a boat somewhere in central PA named “Tyler’s Two Front Teeth.”

Lisa Pavano 11th Grade Meriden Office

Chelsea Reynolds 1st Grade KOP Office This was my peak cute years!

Jason Silver 5th Grade Meriden Office I was wearing my brothers old lacrosse jersey

Michele Smith 1st Grade Meriden Office

Favorite Hairspray: Aussie Mega Hair Spray

Costco is a longtime client of BL Companies, and this location is the newest project being constructed.

Costco is under construction and will be opening soon in South Windsor, CT.

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Stay alert and avoid distracted driving. Transportation Safety Walking to School It is a good idea for families to discuss safety rules and practice walking to school with your children. Walking on the sidewalk should be the preference, if one is available. If there is no side walk, then walk facing the traffic. Before crossing the street the walker should look left, right and left again to be sure no cars are coming. Walkers should make eye contact with drivers before crossing and should always cross at a cross walk or intersection. Biking to School Your child should know the rules of the road and practice riding the bike route with an adult. Teaching them to ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in single file will keep them safe. They should come to a complete stop before crossing the street and walk the bike across. Children should understand the importance of staying alert and avoid distracted riding. Driving to School The most important thing you can do while driving your student to school is to stay alert and avoid distracted driving. Set a good example for your teen driver or soon to be teen driver. Be sure to obey school zone speed limits and follow your school’s procedures for dropping off and picking up. Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street and never pass a bus loading or unloading children. Keep in mind that the area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children. Make sure to stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus.

SCHOOL ZONE Safety

Cell Phones: A Costly

Distraction Shocking Statistics It takes 5 seconds to read the average text message. About 36% of drivers use a smartphone app at a red light or stop sign.

Reminder to Slow Down and Share the Road

Texting doubles the odds of being in a car accident.

school. It’s always a good idea for parents to talk bus safety with their children. Your child should arrive at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive, stay 5 steps away from the curb, and always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before entering or exiting. School buses remain the dominant form of transportation for students. More than 25 million children ride school buses each day in the United states. Students are 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a school bus than by travelling by car according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

When school begins the roads get busy. The streets are dense with buses, cars, children walking or on bikes and everyone is anxious to get to their destinations before the bell rings or before work starts. It is crucial to stay aware, slow down and pay extra attention when children are present... especially before and after school. Parents or caretakers should know their school’s drop-off and pick-up procedures for the school year, but the following rules apply to all school zones: • Do not double park. This makes it very difficult to see other children and vehicles. • Do not load or unload children across the street from the school. • Carpool, if you can, to reduce the number of vehicles at the

Texting while driving is more dangerous than intoxication. A driver has the same response time as a person who has had four beers in a single hour. Pedestrian injuries among teenagers in the 16-19 year old age group is on the rise due to distracted walking.

A recap of some of the best practices in Client Care from the Client Care Committee >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THE PROJECT A lot goes into sourcing and being awarded a project. If you’re selected to work on it, take ownership of the project as if your personal success relies upon the success of the project. >>>Here’s what you can do>>> When things start to look impossible, ask yourself “Is there another way to get this done and still meet the project goals?” Have a can-do attitude! Working through issues by brainstorming with the team can open ideas about how to prioritize multiple projects, find alternatives to conflicts, and overcome roadblocks that get in the way of the project’s success. Remember to choose the best solution for our external clients while being fair and considerate to your internal clients. THE VALUE OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS Over the past year and a half, many of us have noticed the impact of working alone, secluded from fellow employee owners and our clients. As the world discovers a new normal, it is especially important to be ready to connect when called upon. >>>Here’s what you can do>>> Don’t underestimate the value of spending time with colleagues and clients (in person or virtual). Opportunities are gained by building trust and being there when a client calls. Become a trusted and respected teammate. Let them know they can count on you by following through with commitments. Go that extra step; offer more when you can. Understand your role in the project, and be prepared to provide advice and opinions when appropriate.

BL Companies Employee owned. Client driven.

Get The Most

For Your Post

Tips to Keep Marketing Top of Mind on LinkedIn

01. Let us know! YOU are the BL Brand and we want to show you off! Are you going to an event? Let us promote it! Are you speaking at a tradeshow? We want to know! Is there a specific job you’d like posted? Tell us why your team is the greatest! Remember, we don’t know what we don’t know so pass along anything you think should be posted. 02. What Would Marketing Do We all know pictures say a thousand words. When attending an event, or heading into the field, try and think WWMD. How aesthetically pleasing is this shot? Are there people in the shot? If so, are they wearing PPE and BL gear? Would this picture grab people’s attention? How’s the lighting? 03. Provide Content Have you ever heard of the KISS Principle? K eep I t S imple S tupid. When providing content think, “what’s engaging for the audience?”. Keep in mind thoughts like, what makes this project unique? Why is this project important to the community? Or if you’re at an event or speaking, why am I excited about this event? What will you takeaway if you attend my education session? 04. Engage Lastly, follow BL on LinkedIn (and all other social media platforms) and join the conversation! Whether that’s liking posts, commenting, or even sharing to your own platform, we want our employee owners engaged.

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ESOP Month Challenge

Create a LinkedIn Profile 2 Tickets New to LinkedIn? Now’s the perfect time to create an account. Reach out to Jocelyn or Bret for assistance. Update LinkedIn Profile 4 Tickets New Headshot Add Licenses

Update About Section Update Job Description

Share, Like, and Comment 2 Tickets Engage with BL’s Linkedin account.

Create Posts and Tag BL 4 Tickets Post about BL on your own platform

Send Photos to Marketing 4 Tickets

Whether you’re in the field, at an event, or grabbing coffee with a co-worker - take a pic!

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LEGAL TIP As a reminder and refresher, there are two types of projects that add considerable risk for BL that are highlighted below A legal tip from Julia O’Brien,Vice President & General Counsel.

DESIGN BUILD PROJECT

CONDOS

Over the past year or two, we’ve seen a slow increase in the number of design build projects that we’ve been asked to participate in. Design/Build projects can take three forms: contractor led, design consultant led or a new entity (sometimes a joint venture) is created to contract with the Owner. The only type of design/build project that BL will participate in, at least for the foreseeable future, is the one where the contractor contracts with the owner and we contract with the contractor. If you have a potential design/build project that meets this criteria, please loop me in at the outset of the project so I can have input and we can discuss the scope, fee and clarifications of how we would be willing to perform our work. Often times, an owner is looking for a fixed price and is not allowing the contractor/design consultant team to advance the drawings very far and/or do the investigations, due diligence, testing needed to come up with an accurate price for construction costs. Therefore, contingencies must be built into our contract with the contractor in terms of costs and schedule, and we would want to understand the flow-down provisions from the owner. Please get me, as well as your Director/Executive Director, involved early in the process to assist. Please also remember that Carolyn needs to sign off on a design/ build project before the contract gets signed.

While all PM’s who’ve been at BL for a while know this, I want to reiterate to all PM’s, as we have many who are new, that we do not do condo work. Why? These are deemed to be the riskiest projects that a design consultant can take on. When we renew our professional liability insurance each year, we are asked if we do condo work and each year we check no. Insurance companies do not want to see this type of work as part of our list of projects. Condo projects are risky for the following reasons as set out by the professional liability insurance industry: ƒ Condo developers are often highly leveraged and cut costs. ƒ Often design consultants are not provided the opportunity to perform CA. ƒ Condo buyers are often first time homebuyers or elderly people with limited resources who believe advertisements and marketing materials that promise much more than is realistic. When what they are promised does not materialize, they turn to litigation. ƒ Condo dues are often not high enough to cover ongoing maintenance costs. While this is not BL’s problem, if a suit is filed, often all parties who touched such a project are brought in. ƒ Homeowners’ associations provide ready vehicles to sue as they are often targeted by aggressive lawyers who promise action on alleged design and construction errors. ƒ When a claim is filed,often contractors and developers are long gone leaving the design firms with deep insurance pockets the only target.

Fridays @ Noon: Weekly Audio Conference Calls with our CEO (“Moving Forward” Meetings)

ESOP Month - ESOP Month is wrapping up but still plenty of fun left to be had. Be sure to participate in the rest of the festivities.

Thursday, November 25: Thanksgiving Day

Friday, December 10: Employee Owner Meeting

Company Paid Time Off: Friday, December 24, 2021 through Friday, December 31, 2021

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2021 ▬ issue 22 ▬ fall

NEWSLETTER TEAM: Julia DeFrances Jessica Fasi Heather Halotek Lisa Pavano Jocelyn Taylor

CONTRIBUTORS: David Parent Julia O’Brien

Question of the Quarter Participants (thank you!) Client Care Committee