The Northeast Manufactured Housing Association (NeMHA)has made tremendous progress over the past few years towards harmonizing state laws to make it easier and safer to transport factory-built housing across the region. The following is a summary of the most recent action.

Massachusetts - On August 3rd representatives from NeMHA met with the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA) and Massachusetts State Police, Troop E, which is responsible for providing police escorts on the Mass Turnpike. Paul Lariviere, from Maine Tomorrow, presented an overview of the issues. It was a good meeting and it was the consensus of the group that another meeting should be set up with the Mass DOT. While it appears that there is some reorganization occurring within the Mass DOT, attempts to contact the appropriate staff and schedule a meeting are ongoing.

Connecticut - On August 26th representatives from NeMHA and the Modular Building Systems Association (MBSA) met with Connecticut DOT Commissioner Korta and his staff. Paul Lariviere again presented an overview of the issues and very good discussion ensued. The CT DOT is considering a pilot program for the daytime movement of 16’ wide loads through Connecticut.

NASTO Highway Transport Committee – A meeting of the NASTO Committee was held October 12-14, 2004 in Albany, NY. In attendance were representatives from DE, MD, ONTARIO, NY, PA, NY Thruway, CT, FHWA, FMCSA, COM DOT, NYS Motor Truck Assn. and others. Paul Lariviere presented a program on the “Issues Related to Harmonizing Dimensional Transport Requirements in the Northeast”. Representatives of NeMHA were available to answer questions. NeMHA also hosted a smaller meeting with representatives from FHWA, NY DOT, NY Thruway, CT and VT (via telephone)to discuss the issues. The consensus of the group was that it is critical to have Massachusetts’s authorities involved and that the various authorities know the routes within their states the best. Together they should be able to find the best routes to move homes through the Northeast. A meeting will be set up in December in Massachusetts, if possible, to get all the state agencies together for a one-day meeting.

NeMHA Meeting – Thirty people attended the NeMHA meeting held on October 13th in Valley Forge, PA, in conjunction with the Five-State Manufactured Housing Associations Convention. Chairman Jim Freyer gave a brief history of the Transportation Project. Mary Gaiski and Tom Skinner reviewed the AASHTO meeting they attended in Cleveland in June. Nancy Geer reported on the NASTO meeting in Albany and Jack Ireton-Hewitt summarized the importance of this project to the industry. Jim Freyer invited everyone to attend the next regular meeting of NeMHA to be held January 20, 2005 in Baltimore, MD.

NeMHA established a dedicated fund for this project in 2002 to which many industry members have already contributed. As 2005 approaches, we need to continue the fund raising efforts to ensure success. Gratitude goes to Commodore, Redman, Champion, Penn Lyon, Haylor, Freyer & Coon and MHA of Maine for contributing a second time to the project.

Anyone wanting more information may contact Nancy Geer at 800-721-HOME or nancy@nymha.org .