[MassHistPres] Restoring windows and lead paint issues

Wed Dec 30 13:33:17 EST 2009

The certification of local lumber in terms of quality and origin need not be state-controlled, just state-sanctioned.  Certification of quality could be done as it’s done now, through the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NeLMA), the National Hardwoods Lumber Association (NHLA), etc.  Certification of origin could be done through the American Forest Foundation’s Tree Farm System or equivalently responsible industry organizations, in exactly the same way that certification of agricultural produce grown in Massachusetts is currently done.

Lumber is no different than any other market-driven industry.  Just as clumsy regulation or over-regulation lead to stagnation, under-regulation in a global marketplace leads by economic reflex to abuses, which is what has brought us to our current situation.  There would be nothing wrong with people responding to the on-the-shelf costs of lumber if all of the real costs of obtaining and producing that lumber were present right there in the price tag on the end of the 2x8.  But too many of the real values and costs of lumber, whether in energy use, degraded environmental quality, lost historic resources, collapsing local economies, boom and bust cycles for timber workers, etc., etc.—are sloughed off onto or stolen from others in order to assure short-term profits for the middle men and provide hapless, heedless end users with what they think they want for as low a price as possible.  This is illustrated by the issue under discussion—the fact that we can’t get moderately-priced windows made from high quality local lumber, but have plenty of access to cheap, poorly made windows or exorbitantly expensive windows made from exotic foreign lumber.  That’s not a healthy, working market generated by consumer choice, that’s a broken market resulting from consumer ignorance and under-regulation.

Given our situation, regulation is not only called for but necessary to protect us all, including the responsible folks who work in the lumber industry.  In the end, the principal function of this kind of regulation is to require that all costs are recognized and paid for.  It doesn’t do much for the parasitic middle men or lumber businesses who only know how to operate in a slash-and-burn manner, but it works better for the majority of responsible lumber producers, wood products consumers, and the forests in the long run.  And the only legitimate planning horizon for forest resources is the long run.

Respectfully,

Jonathan Tucker

Planning Director

Amherst Planning Department

4 Boltwood Avenue, Town Hall

Amherst, MA  01002

(413) 259-3040

tuckerj at amherstma.gov    

From: WestmillPres at aol.com [mailto:WestmillPres at aol.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 12:14 PM
To: Tucker, Jonathan; jade at crocker.com; mdstarkey at crocker.com; djd184 at verizon.net; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Restoring windows and lead paint issues

In response to Mr. Tucker, I get your point, but the LAST thing anyone needs is the state government in control of determining lumber quality. Could probably arrange a surcharge for their "service" to boot. Perhaps even require prevailing wage and DCAM certification as well. Can't trust a job like that to just anyone after all. How about trusting people to know themselves what they are buying. If they choose to buy garbage from Home Depot, that is there choice. We do not need the government to "protect" them. With respect and regards, MC in Halifax.

In a message dated 12/30/2009 11:34:17 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, TuckerJ at amherstma.gov writes:

	I agree about restoring existing wood features as a conservation/preservation measure.

	However, the quality of lumber depends on its source.  Farm/forced lumber is either from plantations in the southern or western U.S., or abroad.  Holding out for lumber of the quality seen in the 18th and 19th centuries encourages the mining of remaining old growth forests (here or abroad), which is less than useful.

	There are good local sources of sound lumber from mature trees, but larger window manufacturers, urban/suburban contractors and homeowners use the price point determined by Home Depot or Lowe’s as the baseline for purchasing their wood.  That cuts local options out of the market and sustains the current mire of wasteful stupidity.

	Maybe it’s time for the Massachusetts legislature to start requiring all home products manufacturers who sell their wares in the Commonwealth to certify that they have acquired and include in their product some minimum percentage of raw material from Massachusetts or at least New England sources.

	Jonathan Tucker

	Planning Director

	Amherst Planning Department

	4 Boltwood Avenue, Town Hall

	Amherst, MA  01002

	(413) 259-3040

	tuckerj at amherstma.gov    

	From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of jade
	Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 10:24 AM
	To: Marcia Starkey; Dennis De Witt; MHC MHC listserve
	Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Restoring windows and lead paint issues

	today's lumber is mostly farm/forced grown wood...it is far inferior to lumber available even 75 years ago...new window frames--whether all wood or vinyl/aluminum clad--are made with finger jointed wood as is a lot of the trim...a new window made from spanish cedar or mahogany and with mortise and tenon joinery will offer a century or more of service if properly maintained...of course the product's longevity will be reflected in its price...

	looking at the long term scenario, restoration of windows from the 1940's and before is by far the best investment, financially and environmentally...

	jade Mortimer

		----- Original Message ----- 

		From: Marcia Starkey <mailto:mdstarkey at crocker.com>  

		To: Dennis De Witt <mailto:djd184 at verizon.net>  ; MHC MHC listserve <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>  

		Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 11:35 AM

		Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Restoring windows and lead paint issues

		Is wood window sash an acceptable compromise to reduce the use of synthetic 
		materials, promote beneficial industries and forest management? (you can 
		always tell these folks from western Mass.)

		Marcia Starkey

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