January 2025 Newsletter 
President's Letter
Dear Members, Colleagues, and Sponsors,
Happy New Year everyone! For most of us, replacing our calendars brings inevitable project deadlines and submissions. However, despite the long hours spent getting our projects out the door, it’s important to take time and celebrate with the people who matter most. For that reason, I hope that your holiday season was wonderful and included some well-deserved time away from work and in the company of friends and family.
Now that winter is upon us, I would like to discuss a phenomenon which continues to impact our infrastructure in New Hampshire and is becoming increasingly common. Coastal flooding during winter storms. At this time last year, New Hampshire received a heavy rainfall which combined with snow melt and resulted in flood warnings being issued across the state. Though at the seacoast, the impact of this winter storm was felt substantially. The heavy rains and swollen rivers joined with an ocean surge caused by the very same storm, and resulted in considerable flooding for towns along the coast. Residents in Hampton reported that the water simply had nowhere else to go. The ocean surge and waves overtopped seawalls and berms, then continued to move inland and cause damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Ocean Boulevard (Route 1A) and side roads were inundated and impassible. First responders performed a total of 15 rescues for drivers trapped in cars on flooded roadways and residents trapped in flooded homes. In addition, the ocean flooding carried debris and sea foam across roadways and properties. On Route 1A in Rye, pieces of debris included the stone revetment and rubble masonry walls which were constructed to protect the roadway from storm surges. This storm arrived on Wednesday January 10th, 2024 and was followed by a similar storm which also caused coastal flooding on January 13th, 2024.
(Rockingham Planning Commission, 12/23/2022)
Coastal flooding events like these are occurring more frequently in New Hampshire, and scientists point to relative sea level rise as a major contributor for these events. A symptom of climate change, sea level rise is most attributed to melting ice sheets and glaciers on land which then flow into oceans and increase the mean sea level. Though relative sea level rise continues to be studied and monitored all over the world, its impacts are being felt locally in towns like Seabrook, Hampton, Rye, New Castle, and Portsmouth. As structural engineers, the vulnerability of our seacoast to sea level rise and flooding is an opportunity for our profession to serve the public and to protect New Hampshire’s infrastructure. If this topic is of interest to you, I encourage you to join the Sustainability Committee and become involved!
In closing, I would like to recognize and thank all our members who have put aside time from their busy schedules and engaged with SENH and the engineering community. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming meeting in Concord and throughout the year ahead.
Sean Brown, PE, ENV SP
President, Structural Engineers of New Hampshire
Senior Member Spotlight
Jeffrey Tirey, PE – Founding Member, Structural Engineers of New Hampshire
Jeff Tirey is a retired structural engineer and a founding member of SENH. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in Structural Engineering and began his career working for LeMessurier Associates. After several years, Jeff struck out on his own and founded Tirey & Associates in 1985. Based in Littleton, NH Jeff provided structural engineering services for building structures in the north country of New Hampshire for over 34 years. His firm’s services included structural evaluations, renovations, designs, construction phase services, and testimony as an expert witness and forensic structural engineer. In 2012 Jeff also became an instructor at the University of New Hampshire and taught Timber Design for the Department of Civil Engineering. In his class, Jeff was a comprehensive teacher and used photos he had taken in the field to illustrate real world examples of the material taught in class.
While working as a structural engineer, Jeff helped to create SENH with eleven other structural engineers in 1993. Over time, he helped Structural Engineers of New Hampshire to grow into the prominent professional organization that it is today. In 2002, he also co-authored “Ground Snow Loads for New Hampshire” while working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold regions Laboratory in Hanover, NH. Through this work, Jeff gained national prominence and recognition for establishing snow loads for all towns in New Hampshire, and assisting other states in mapping snow loads. In recognition for his many achievement and involvement in the engineering community, Jeff was named Structural Engineer of the Year in 2010.
Since retiring, Jeff has attained a Captain’s license from the U.S. Coast Guard and offers chartered sailing trips on a 40’ sailboat to small groups on Lake Champlain. By all accounts he appears to truly enjoy being on the water and has been making the most of a well-deserved retirement. As a founder of SENH, he hopes that this organization will continue to promote engineering excellence in New Hampshire and advance the engineering community in our state. Thank you Jeff!
Calendar of Events
SENH Meeting Announcement
Next Meeting: January 22, 2025
Place:
Grappone Conference Center
70 Constitution Ave
Concord, NH 03301
Parking:
Parking is available in the main parking lot at the Grappone Conference Center with overflow parking in the lot across from the attached Courtyard Marriott Hotel. Please be mindful of spots that are allocated to the Urgent Care & Medical Office building that share the parking lot and are noted as such. Violators will be towed as these spots are monitored.
Agenda:
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Registration/Social Hour
6:30 pm - 7:15 pm Dinner
7:15 pm - 7:30 pm Business Meeting
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Presentations
Dinner:
Buffet with choice of roast sirloin of beef marinated and slow roasted with cabernet demi-glace, and grilled salmon fillet with herb champagne butter and lemon. Served with mixed greens salad, baby spinach salad, chef's seasonal vegetable and potato or rice, and freshly baked breads. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please email the Professional Development Committee at [email protected].
Cost:
$75.00 Member Ticket
$85.00 after 8:00 am January 17
$95.00 Member Ticket + 1 Pack Raffle Tickets
$105.00 after 8:00 am January 17
$100.00 Non-Member Ticket
$110.00 after 8:00 am January 17
$15.00 Student Ticket
$25.00 after 8:00 am January 17
$20.00 Government Employee
$30.00 after 8:00 am January 17
$20.00 Retired Member
$30.00 after 8:00 am January 17
$25.00 1 Pack Raffle Tickets
$45.00 2 Packs Raffle Tickets
$65.00 3 Packs Raffle Tickets
$100.00 5 Packs Raffle Tickets
"No-shows" will be billed at full amount. Refunds will not be issued.
RSVP:
By Noon on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. There will be a $10.00 late fee for anyone wishing to register past this date.
Registration and payments can be completed online at https://senh.org/meetinginfo.php. Please contact Julia Chartier ([email protected]) with questions about registration and payments.
Note:
2.0 PDHs have been assigned for attendance. Attendees are responsible for ensuring their check-in on the attendance list upon arrival at the meeting.
Presentations:
PRESENTATION #1: NHDOT Bridge Program Update – Find out what has been going on at NHDOT and what is on the horizon.
SPEAKER: David Scott, PE & Jason Tremblay, PE – NHDOT
PRESENTATION #2: Blue Hill Falls Bridge
Falls Bridge in Blue Hill, Maine spans a reversing waterfall at the narrows between Blue Hill Bay and Salt Pond. Originally constructed in 1926, the existing concrete tied arch superstructure had begun to deteriorate, a consequence of its age and the harsh marine environment. In 2023, the bridge underwent significant rehabilitation, which included replacing the superstructure and rehabilitating the granite-faced concrete abutments. This project preserved the hydraulic characteristics of the reversing waterfall while improving pedestrian and vehicular safety. Prestressed concrete with stainless steel prestressing strand and corrosion resistant rebar were implemented to withstand the marine environment. Additionally, the new superstructure aesthetic features were designed to harmonize with the remaining historic elements of the bridge.
SPEAKER: Harold Walton, PE, PhD
Harold is a Project Engineer with HNTB with over nine years of experience in the Structural/Bridge Engineering discipline. He has worked as a designer or design lead on a variety of bridge and toll infrastructure projects including bridge rehabilitations, bridge replacements, and Accelerated Bridge Construction projects. Harold earned his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering, all from the University of Maine.
Committee Updates
Code Advisory Committee
Chair: Dan Martel, PE; Members: Joaquin Denoya, PE
Board Liaison: Dan Martel, PE
A reminder that as of January 1, the NH State Building Code references the 2021 IBC. The grace period for using the 2015 IBC is expired. All building permit applications submitted starting January 1 must use the 2021 IBC. More information, including NH-specific amendments, can be found here: https://www.firemarshal.dos.nh.gov/laws-rules-regulatory/state-fire-building-codes
NH Engineer and Young Engineer Awards Committee
Co-Chairs: Josif Bicja PE, Katelyn Welch PE
Board Liaison: Jonathan Sproul, PE
No update at this time.
Professional Development Committee
Co-Chairs: Katelyn Welch PE, Eric Caron PE
Members: Fernanda Fischer PE, Blaise Imbembe PE, Holly Lauzon, Dustin Wells
Board Liaisons: Kayal Hampe PE, Rebecca Lubrano PE, Jonathan Sproul PE
Information for the January 2025 meeting can be found in this newsletter.
Public Relations Committee
Chair: Bob Durfee, PE; Co-Chair: Sean Brown, PE
Board Liaison: Sean Brown, PE
SENH will hold a raffle at our upcoming January meeting to raise money for our scholarship fund. Raffle tickets can be purchased online (details will be included in a following email) or in cash at the door. All proceeds will go towards the SENH scholarship program. As a quick reminder, SENH awards up to two $1,000 scholarships each year to college students who are studying structural engineering. To continue to support the next generation of structural engineers, we are excited to offer the following prizes for this year’s raffle event:
- 2 - mid-week lift tickets to Gunstock Mountain (Courtesy of Bob Durfee and Gunstock Mountain)
- 2 - mid-week lift tickets to Gunstock Mountain (Courtesy of Bob Durfee and Gunstock Mountain)
- 1 - $200 voucher to Bretton Woods (Courtesy of H&H)
- 1 - H&H Swag bag (Courtesy of - you guessed it - H&H)
- 1 - Tiki Speaki, Portable Outdoor speaker (Courtesy of Hoyle Tanner)
- 1 - NCSEA Summit Swag Bag (Graciously collected by Kayla Hampe)
Thank you in advance our to members for participating in the raffle and to the generous organizations who have donated our prizes!
Interested in donating to the scholarship fund? Click here!
Structural Engineering Excellence Awards Committee
Chair: Bob Durfee; Co-Chair Bob Champaign
Members: Fred Emanuel, Josif Bicja
Board Liaison: Dan Martel
The Awards Committee has issued a Call for Entries for the 2025 Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards Program. The Call for Entries is published elsewhere in this newsletter.
The Committee has made several changes to the 2025 program to encourage more entries by local (New Hampshire) firms and members. Changes to the 2025 program include:
- Added a new project award category (Buildings (Renovation) Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Public or Residential Buildings. There are now four award categories.
- Moved Pedestrian Bridge projects from Bridge and Transportation Structures category to Special Structures Category.
- In addition to the Excellence Award, a Merit Award may also be awarded in any of the four categories.
- The Awards Program and Winning Projects will also be published in regional and local media outlets (newspapers).
The deadline for entries is March 3, 2025.
Structural Engineering Licensure Committee
Chair: Kayla Hampe, PE; Assistant Chair: Eric Caron, PE
Members: Sean Brown, PE; Bob Durfee PE; Matt Low, PE
Board Liaison: Kayla Hampe, PE
The SE Licensure Committee is in the final phase of our efforts that will be completing a report that will include the research we have done, the survey results from our members, our discussion with the NH Board of Professional Engineers, and any recommendations for our SENH Board of Directors and our Members. Our goal is to have a draft report to our Board of Directors by the end of January. We will finalize the report once we receive any comments from them.
Sustainable Design Committee
Chair: Tom Lamb, PE
Board Liaison: Rebecca Lubrano, PE
The sustainable design committee meets online monthly. People interested in joining the committee should contact Tom Lamb [email protected]. The committee is currently collaborating with other committees in the northeast at the monthly meetings. More information to come in the future on education opportunities and a potential plant tour from SEAMASS and SEONY. Additionally, the committee continues to collaborate with the NCSEA Sustainability Committee. This committee is working on updating sustainability presentations, compiling a speaker list among other things. The SENH sustainable design committee will be sharing this information with SENH once it is available.
Younger Member Group
Chair: Dustin Wells
Board Liaison: Sean Brown, PE
Past Event - Bowling at Striker's East
Pictured below is the group enjoying a couple rounds of bowling at Striker's East in Raymond, followed by appetizers and drinks! Thank you all for attending and for a great event!
Upcoming Event
SENH YMG is discussing a potential joint-ski day with our Massachusetts counterpart, SEAMASS's Younger Member Group! This event is still in the planning phase, so look out for more information. The date has not yet been set, but will likely be in February. Hope to see you there!
Other Information
The Younger Member Group is seeking information regarding the PE exam - If you (or someone you know) are planning to take your PE exam soon, are beginning the registration process, and would be willing to share information about the exam and the registration process with the YMG, please reach out to [email protected] and let me know. Thank you in advance for your help!
Additionally, please be advised that Younger Member Group correspondence will soon have a new look. Communication will soon be switching from Outlook to Starchapter.
As always, feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or meeting event suggestions!
Structural Engineering Engagement and Equity (SE3) Committee
Chair: Tom Lamb, PE
Board Liaison: Rebecca Lubrano, PE
No update at this time.
Membership Committee
Chair: Dan Martel, PE
Members: Rebecca Lubrano
Board Liaison: Dan Martel, PE
Welcome to recent new members!
• Caitlin McNulty, UNH Student
• Chris Gagne, P.E., McFarland Johnson
• Michael Sievert, P.E.
• Miles Stetson, P.E., Engineering Ventures
• Rick Wolf, Jr., Turner Group
• Thomas French, P.E., HDR
SENH Appointments
Joint Committee of NH engineering Societies
SENH Representative: Timothy Polson, PE
Board Liaison: Sean Brown, PE
No update. The committee is currently looking for a new chair. Interested parties can contact Tim Polson for additional information.
NH Quality Base Selection Coalition
SENH Representative: Christopher Fournier, PE, SE
Board Liaison: Vacant
No update at this time.
National Council of Structural Engineer Associations (NCSEA)
Delegate: Bob Durfee, PE
Alternate Delegates: Tom Lamb, PE, Kayla Hampe, PE
The 2024 NCSEA Summit was held on November 5-8, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Delegates Bob Durfee, Tom Lamb and Kayla Hampe attended the summit and participated in several NCSEA Committee meetings. The Delegates have issued their 2024 conference (Summit) Report which is posted on the website.
The next NCSEA Summit is scheduled for October 14-17, 2025, in midtown, Manhattan, New York City.
The next NCSEA Leadership Retreat is scheduled for May 7-8, 2025, in Desplaines, Illinois. SENH will send a delegate to this retreat.
Northeast Coalition of Structural Engineer Associations (NECSEA) Committee
SENH Representative: Tom Lamb, PE
Board Liaison: Rebecca Lubrano, PE
After little activity in 2024, The Northeast Coalition of Structural Engineers Associations next planned meeting is scheduled for February 4th. Information on upcoming education opportunities, building code updates and other important information will be shared. This information will be passed on to SENH members in the following newsletter.
NCSEA Brand Ambassador
SENH Representative: Tom Lamb, PE
Board Liaison: Rebecca Lubrano, PE
No update at this time.
SEI Delegate
SENH Representative: Vacant
Board Liaison: Vacant
No update at this time.
UNH Liaison
SENH Representative: Vacant
Board Liaison: Vacant
No update at this time.
NCSEA Code Advisory Committee General Requirements Subcommittee:
Tom Lamb is a member of the NCSEA code advisory committee general requirements subcommittee. The sub committee is currently working on code change proposals for the 2027 IBC. Topics include walls as guards, guards on retaining walls, snow storage on parking decks, metal plate connected wood trusses and wood member notching. If you have a request for a code change proposal our would like more information on these topics contact Tom Lamb [email protected].
Dues Renewal Notice
2025 SENH Membership Renewals and Dues Increases
As the membership renewal season has begun, the SENH Board of Directors wishes to inform the membership about an increase in dues for Members and Associate Members. After preparing and reviewing the budget for the upcoming year, rising expenses have outpaced our income and an adjustment to membership dues has become necessary. For this reason, Members and Associate Member dues have been set at $90 for 2025.
As addressed in the 2023 membership year, our parent organization, the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA), announced that dues paid by state organizations would increase by $2 every other year beginning in the 2025 membership year. Through NCSEA, SENH members have access to a variety of benefits and resources including access to discounted continuing education webinars, licensure advocacy and collaboration, engineering white papers and publications, and access to NCSEA web-based communities.
In addition to the rising fee from NCSEA, rising costs associated with the management platform of our website, the increase in venue costs for our bi-monthly meetings and our continued support of professional development for members through webinars and seminars have necessitated an equivalent increase in our member dues.
As always, it is the goal of the Board of Directors to be as transparent as possible about this increase in membership dues. Through your continued support, SENH is able to offer benefits to our members and the local structural engineering community; this includes awarding up to two $1000 college scholarships each year, supporting younger engineers in their transition to professional practice, offering free webinars to members, and opportunities for peer networking and Professional Development through member meetings.
If you have any questions about these changes to membership dues, please feel free to reach out to the Board of Directors. Thank you for your continued participation in this organization.
Last Meeting Attendance List & Meeting Minutes
SENH meeting November 20, 2025, 5:30 pM, UNH DeMerritt Hall Room 112
Minutes recorded by Dan Martel, Secretary
Business Meeting
- Treasurer's Update - Kayla Hampe
- Year-to-date revenue and expenses largely as expected.
- Membership Commitee - Dan Martel, Committee Chair
- Committee recently formed by Board to increase membership and member engagement.
- UNH students encouraged to become members. No membership fees for students
- 2025 Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards - Bob Durfee, Committee Chair
- First call for entries - will be sent via email, uploaded to website, and published in the next newsletter.
- Modifications made to entry requirements to encourage more NH-based small firms to submit.
2025 UNH Steel Bridge Team Update
- The team is looking forward to implementing lessons learned from 2024 competition.
- 2025 regional competition to be held at UMass Amherst in the Spring
2025 UNH Concrete Team Update
- The team is implementing changes to their approach after 2024 results, including a different mold strategy and concrete mix design.
ABC Rehabilitation of Hall Road Bridge, Andover, NH - Josif Bicja and Holly Lauzon of Hoyle, Tanner & Associates
Hall Road Bridge over Bradley Brook was a 16' long steel stringer bridge with prestressed deck panels superstructure supported on stone masonry abutments. The presentation focused on the engineer's role in helping a small town with limited resources, experience, and funding to successfully and safely construct a bridge that restores public safety. This project was truly a success, as it replaced a structurally deficient bridge and restored emergency access for residents on a dead-end road, all at a fraction of the cost if it was constructed by a bridge contractor.
Downtown Cary Park - Rebecca Lubrano of SGH
Completed in 2023, this nature-inspired park encompasses seven acres in the center of Cary, North Carolina. The community-driven project creates winding paths that transport visitors between outdoor features - such as children's play areas, game courts, gardens, and a dog park - and to interior spaces like the marketplace, gathering house, and special event pavilion. The building designs help to blend interior spaces into the surrounding nature with conic roof forms and wood-clad walls.
Attendance at this meeting grants the attendees listed below with 2.0 PDHs
| Alexander Wimsatt | PROCON | |
| Bruce Scamman | Emanuel Engineering, Inc. | |
| Caitlin McNulty | UNH | |
| Dan Martel | Team Engineering | Secretary |
| Daniel Bartus | UNH | |
| Derek Gilbert | Simpson Strong-Tie | |
| Devon Christen | Emanuel Engineering | |
| Dustin Wells | H&H | |
| Emilee A Woodman | Emanuel Engineering Inc. | |
| Eric Caron | TEC, Inc. | |
| Fernanda Fischer | Hardesty and Hanover | |
| Fred Emanuel | Emanuel Engineering, Inc. | |
| Holly Lauzon | Hoyle, Tanner and Associates | Speaker |
| Ian Roessler | UNH | |
| Jacqueline Borruso | UNH | |
| Jonathan Sproul, P.E. | PROCON | Vice President |
| Josif Bicja, P.E. | Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. | Speaker |
| Katelyn Welch, P.E. | Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. | |
| Kayla Hampe, P.E. | Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. | Treasurer |
| Lily Beyer | Summit Engineering, PLLC | |
| Maxwell Becker | Emanuel Engineering | |
| Noah LaFlamme | Emanuel Engineering | |
| Rebecca Lubrano, P.E. | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Director at Large and Speaker |
| Robert Champagne, P.E., LEED | Summit Engineering, PLLC | |
| Robert H. Durfee, P.E. | Dubois & King, Inc. | |
| Ryan McMullen, P.E. | Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. | |
| Sean Brown, P.E. | H&H | President |
| Sean James, P.E. | Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. | |
| Stephen Nolin | UNH | |
| Thomas E. Lamb, P.E. | TFMoran, Inc. | |
| Thomas Leahy | University of New Hampshire | |
| Tom Kilrain, P.E. | Dept. Of Navy | |
| Travis V Michaud | Quantum Consulting Engineers LLC |
