CMTA is hosting a special presentation on CT DEEP’s Industrial Stormwater General Permit on Wednesday, August 8th from 9:00 - 11:00 at CMTA HQ in Essex.   Karen Abbott from Connecticut DEEP will lead this important presentation on compliance aspects and offer tips for members regarding common noncompliance items identified during industrial stormwater general permit inspections (including housekeeping problems, monitoring requirements, and materials management issues). 

She will also provide insights on what DEEP expects to receive to address NOVs and suggestions on how to properly address benchmark exceedances.  She will offer tips to help with how to successfully utilize the new EZ file system.  This program will be full of practical information for your marina.

This beneficial environmental education morning is brought to you free of charge and we encourage every marina to send a representative to this important event.

Beverages and light breakfast will be provided. Please RSVP Here.

In the July 18th Notice SN 2018(5.1) from DRS, the Department expanded its guidance on the application of the 2.99% tax rate on vessels, defining the qualifying vessel as that which is "registered with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)". 

This definition has eliminated vessels "propelled solely by paddles or oars, and vessels less than 19 1/2 fee in length that are not motorboats or required to be registered with DMV..." from the 2.99 tax rate and must be charged the full sales tax rate of 6.35%.

CMTA is further pursuing this definition and ruling.

On July 18, the Department of Revenue Services announced new guidance as it relates to the Diesel Tax Exemption for Marine Fuel Dock Retailers effective July 1, 2018.

Please find the Entire document HERE.  This notice, SN 2018(5.1) supersedes other notices provided.

Summary:

To be exempt from the excise tax  of 43.9 cents per gallon:

• Marine Fuel Dock MUST be licensed in order to qualify for the exemption
• Contact DRS at 860-541-3224 to become licensed
  
• Marine Fuel Dock operators must provide their distributor a declaration affirming that the fuel will be exclusively for marine purposes - meaning dispensing dyed diesel fuel directly into the fuel tank of a vessel or vessel motor via Form AU-478.  This form can be kept on file with distributor for up to 3 years
  
• Marine Fuel Dock must maintain the following records:
  
• • All purchases from the distributor
    
  • All sales invoices to the purchaser which must include vessel registration number and customer signature
  • Inventory on hand the first of the month
  • Records must be maintained for three years

• Sales Tax must be charged and collected on the sale of dyed diesel at the rate of 6.35% and reported monthly on Form OS-114
  
• Only the excise tax exempted fuel must now be assessed the sales tax
  

Finally, marine fuel dock operators are not required nor obligated to become licensed if the company is "unable or unwilling to comply with the requirements".  The company may continue to purchase excise tax-paid diesel fuel and operate as they have been.

Please feel free to contact CMTA at 860-767-2645 with any questions.

7-19-2018

DEEP recently announced the Boat Infrastructure Grant (BIG) funding opportunity for fiscal year 2019 is now open.  The grant is designed to provide federal funds for marinas and facilities for the creation or renovation of tie-up facilities for transient recreational boats and is administered for CT based facilities by CT DEEP.

There are two levels of funding:

Tier I:  A minimum grant of $30,000 up to $190,000

Tier II: For projects over $200,000

The grant is funded by the Department of the Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service and funds projects such as moorings, day-docks, navigational aids, transient slips, safe harbors for transients, dinghy docks, restrooms, bulkheads, utilities, fueling stations and more.

For a complete description of projects and requirements of the Grant Package, Click Here.

For the DEEP Site Click Here.

We encourage all facilities to look at this opportunity seriously to fund transient related projects.  It is important that your submittal is complete and follows all requests of the Grant Proposal.

The deadline for project submittals is August 1, 2018

The DMV contacted CMTA on June 19th to provide new guidance for registration of trailers after July 1, 2018 when the new tax rate of 2.99% goes into effect for trailers used exclusively for transporting boats.

For all dealers and customers registering a trailer after July 1, 2018 a new H-13B Form "Connecticut Registration and Title Application" must be used.  The form has a new box that must be checked to indicate the trailer is to be "Used in the Transportation of a Vessel (BOATS)" and thus subject to the 2.99% tax.  Otherwise the trailer will be taxed at 6.35%

Please find a copy of the form here, with the new box highlighted in RED.

It may also be found on the DMV Website.

KB 6/19/18

The National Marine Trades Council has been meeting annually for over thirty years and is made up of Marine Trades Associations Executives and other Industry Trades Associations from around the country. 

The Council, chaired by New Jersey Marine Trades Association Executive Melissa Danko met in Newport, Rhode Island May 16-18th.  The three-day event was organized by the team at RIMTA which included a visit to the Volvo Ocean Race Stopover at Fort Adams - a highlight!   The meeting covered all aspects of the marine trades industry including boat show management, member benefits, programs and more.  With each topic, an open and robust discussion allowed colleagues to share their successes and challenges with the group from which great ideas emerged for all to bring back to their states.

Speakers from the Workforce Development Field provided great insight into establishing programs on a state by state basis while RI SeaGrant Director Dennis Nixon outlined breakthrough programs on old boat recycling.

States represented included, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia, Minnesota, Louisiana and Alabama.

 

CMTA was again honored to join several other MTA's, Industry Associations and Companies nationwide as a Co-Host of the Annual American Boating Congress.  The two and a-half day event was held at the Renaissance Hotel and Capitol Hill in Washington DC. 

As NMMA says, "No lobbyist is as influential as an employer or employee from a Congress member’s district or state. Attending ABC and participating in Capitol Hill visits with others from your state is the best way to educate your representatives on issues that impact your business."

Day One included a line up of speakers including Representatives Joyce Beatty of Ohio (and an avid boater); Jackie Walorski of Indiana; Charlie Crist of Florida and Garret Graves of Louisiana.  This was followed by a series of special topic seminars to prepare attendees for the Capitol Hill visits the following day.  CMTA's Kathleen Burns presented the 10+1 Workforce Strategy during the Workforce and Educational Session

Day Two was focused on Hill Visits organized by NMMA and its partners.  CMTA visited with Congressman Joseph Courtney; and staff members of Senators Blumenthal and Murphy and Congressman Jim Himes.  These face to face meetings were very productive discussing issues facing the industry in Connecticut and beyond.

Friday's half-day session featured an impressive line up of speakers including USEPA Secretary E. Scott Pruitt, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke; Fox News Sunday's Chris Wallace; Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and more.

CMTA encourages any member wishing to attend to save the dates for the American Boating Congress, May 13 - 15, 2019.  It is one of the most worthwhile conferences to attend.

To share this experience with all members, please find links to all program materials and policy statements:

American Boating Congress Program

Policy Statements

2018 Access

2018 Boating Safety

2018 Conservation

2018 Fuel Policy

2018 Jobs in America

2018 Recreational Fishing

2018 Trade

2018 Transportation and Infrastructure

For more information, please don't hesitate to contact Kathleen Burns, Executive Director of CMTA

CMTA's Second Annual Industry Day Conference and Annual Meeting was held on Thursday March 22nd at Saybrook Point Inn and Marina in Old Saybrook.  The afternoon long event began with a brief welcome by Executive Director Kathleen Burns who introduced the seven educational sessions that would follow.

Mr. Rod Duxbury of Liberty Financial lead an economic policy and planning discussion where he touched upon current economic conditions as well as future retirement and succession planning.  Concurrently Attorney Robert Noonan shared an informative look at what federal and state legislation will impact our member businesses.   A lengthy Q & A followed which stressed the importance of staying on top of proper employee hiring and training.

The second sessions focused on equipment handling and OSHA regulation by distinguished OSHA instructor Kellie Crete  while Attorney Noonan continued and focused on payroll and payment requirements for employees.

Board Member and Dredge and Permitting specialist Devin Santa and colleague Steven Sternberg led a detailed session specific to project planning and also shared an update on current dredge activity impacting the State and CMTA members.  Across the hall, Kathleen Burns together with Wendy Mackie of RIMTA and Michael Iavorne of East Haven schools lead an open forum on education and workforce development where the development of a 501 C 3 CMTA Foundation was announced.

The Keynote Speaker, Freya Olsen, Senior Program Manager for Discover Boating at the National Marine Manufacturers Association led a great tour through new research by the national organization giving insight into the mindset of the first-time boat buyer, followed by tools that are available to all members for marketing and advertising.  Her presentation was both insightful and exciting to see how the boat business is growing.  We will be providing to all members the tool box of marketing ideas that are available, but we start with a link here to the Grow Boating Website.

The Annual Meeting was held immediately thereafter with a State of the Association presentation by Chairman, Ron Helbig and elections of Officers and new Directors.  A lively reception with live music, fabulous hors d'oeuvres and lots of networking followed and capped a wonderful day in celebration of this great industry!  

Hartford, CT -- Celebrating the 49th year of this award winning Boat Show, CMTA was proud to host the annual event February 8 - 11, 2018 powered by Evinrude BRP.  Attendance levels rebounded strongly after last year's show was hampered by snow and ice. 

Attendance was up 33% over 2017, 14% over 2016 and 25% over 2015.  Thousands of guests strolled the aisles packed with boats and accessories - including record setting crowds on Saturday and Sunday.

        

Numerous dealer reports indicated that sales were strong and goals set for the Show had been reached as year over year sales jumped.

This year's show was highlighted by special presentations, a nod to the industry's future and celebration of waterfront enhanced communities.

Opening Ceremonies

CMTA Chairman Ron Helbig and HBS18 Committee Chair Phil Gaudreau welcomed an energetic group of members, sponsors and partners to officially cut the ribbon, dedicated to Winter Olympic TEAM USA.  Included were:

• CMTA Boards of Directors & CMTA Boat Show Committee Members
• Sponsors:  Jess Callabero, Evinrude BRP Presenting Sponsor; Kevin Muffler, Geico; Richard Piscotano, Renewal by Anderson "Windows to the Future: Sponsor; Matthew Barnes, Leaffilter, Entertainment Sponsor; Melvin Burkey, Shoreside Docks, Paddler's Paradise Pool Sponsor; Anthony Dipetro, Capitol Equipment and Andy Pye, Summit Handling, Equipment Sponsors. Scott Bates, Chairman, CT Port Authority "Destination CT" sponsor.
  
• DEEP Guests:  Susan Whalen Deputy Commissioner; Michael Lambert, Bureau Chief, Kyle Overturf, Environmental Police
• State Representative, William Petit, Plainville
• Stonington First Selectman, Rob Simmons
• Thompson Public Schools Superintendent Melinda Smith, Teachers, Volunteers and Members of the Boat Building Program
  

Special Presentations

Two very special presentations were made during HBS18.  The first during opening Ceremonies to the Thompson Public Schools Boat Building Program to which CMTA donated $1,000 to the program which was matched by sponsor Renewal by Anderson.

On Saturday, Bobby Kolodziej was awarded a $2,500 Scholarship to be used towards tuition for technical and computer training that he wishes to use to advance a marine career.  His parents and grandparents and employer Crocker's Boatyard were on hand for the surprise presentation!

Other Great Participants

CMTA was pleased to welcome other groups to HBS18 this year including Hartford-based Our Piece of the Pie.  OPP students volunteered all weekend as well as staffed our complimentary coat check.  Exhibiting their wood-work projects, their big news was selling their hand-built canoe to a CT based customer.  The instructors and staff were ecstatic to sell their project boat that will continue to help fund their important operations to keep kids off the street and focused on building and other interests!

The CT Port Authority was a new sponsor hosting our CPA Pavilion Destination CT.  Participants in this designated area were attractions and water-enhanced communities such as the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, NL Port Authority and Town of Stonington who launched their brand new website at the Show!

The Big Winners!

CMTA was proud to award The Best in Booth Displays to the Following Great Looking Exhibitors!

The judging was done by an independent representative of our advertising agency who spent two days walking the show and assessing each and every booth. 

Congratulations

• First Place Best Boat Display - A & S Boats
• Second Place Best Boat Display - Bass Pro/Cabelas
• First Place Best Booth Display - Brewers/Safe Harbor & Yacht Sales
• Second Place Best Booth Display - Three Belles Marina             
  

      

 

We're working on a video recap of four great Show Days in Hartford!

On February 8th, all members are invited to gather in the lobby of the CT Convention Center for "Opening Ceremonies" for the 49th Annual Hartford Boat Show!  With a nod to the Olympic Games, which also premier the same day, the Opening Ceremony will tie together these two great events!

Media

• The first of January saw our magazine advertisements hit the street and beginning this week, social media will ramp up with both free and paid posts hitting all our outlets.
• This week (Jan 15) our billboards will be posted with photos coming soon!
• This will be followed up this week with our paid digital campaign
  
• The week of January 22nd radio and ticket give-a-way promotions will be fueled across the radio networks and to be followed up by live-remotes during the Show!
• The radio and TV schedule commences the week of January 29th!
• Show programs are printed and shortly 10,000 will be inserted into the Wall Street Journal in advance of the Show!  The rest sent on to the CCC for distribution at the Show!
• Each exhibitor should have received their Show Promo Discount code to pass along to your customers!

Logistics

• The Move In Meeting for boat dealers is scheduled for Thursday January 18th at 11:00 am.
• A full schedule will be released following the meeting for all exhibitors including times and dates for the staging lot and directions.
• Credentials will be MAILED to all exhibitors Friday, January 19th.
• There is still time to donate to the Door Prize Contest and to list any available job opportunities for our Job Kiosk.

Show Hours

Thursday   3:00 - 8:00

Friday      12:00 - 8:00

Saturday 10:00 - 8:00

Sunday    10:00 - 5:00