Effective Jan. 1, 2009, self-storage facility owners in the state of Vermont will be granted legal protection under the Vermont Self Storage Facilities Act, signed by Gov. Jim Douglas just last week. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bill Carris of Rutland, Vt., had been delivered to the office of the Governor's Counsel on May 27 for final approval. When pen met paper and the document contained an official governor signature last Friday, celebratory words swept throughout the Vermont self-storage and legal communities quickly.

"This week, all of our collective efforts to bring a self-storage lien law to Vermont came to a successful conclusion," stated Chris McGrath, executive director of the Vermont Self Storage Association, who'd been a strong advocate of the law. "All of us are delighted that this long process resulted in this success and we wish to thank Sen. Bill Carris who has been our 'champion' as well as Thad Lorentz who has been our most effective and persuasive advocate."

"The passage of the Vermont Self Storage Facilities Act is another historic milestone for the self-storage industry," heralded industry consultant Jim Chiswell, of Chiswell & Associates. "With the effective advocacy of Thad Lorentz and the leadership of the VSSA directed by Chris McGrath, our industry and the self-storage customers in Vermont are now mutually protected. It also points up the success that can be enjoyed when our industry works together as a strong and united association."

McGrath and the Vermont association are currently planning a summer celebration/meeting, at which time the law will be discussed and attending members will get a mini-education in what it takes to meet the statutory mandates. Until that time, McGrath offered congratulations and gratitude to all those who'd been actively supporting the bill along it's long journey to law.

"To all who participated in the process and made the legislative calls and visits," said McGrath, "we are extremely grateful and look forward to continuing working with you to make the VTSSA an effective and productive organization."

Congratulations, Vermont!