Walmart's record for labor law violations at its Connecticut construction sites wasn't too pretty before, and it seems to be getting uglier all the time. State labor officials say one of Walmart's subcontractors at a Hartford job now owes its workers about $60,000 in back wages. That comes on top of a laundry list of citations for labor violations at various Walmart construction sites around Connecticut in the past year, including one involving severe injuries to a worker.Neither Walmart nor its general contractor have been cited for violations in any of these cases, according to state and union officials, because state law doesn't allow it.One union activist argues Connecticut needs legislative changes to stem what has become an epidemic of construction labor violations that goes far beyond Walmart projects. Labor officials say financially desperate contractors and subcontractors at sites all over Connecticut are cutting costs by ignoring laws meant to protect workers.
Covanta decision postponed untill after new administration
BRISTOL — A deal between the city and Covanta Energy to construct a regional recycling transfer station won’t be resolved until a new administration takes office at City Hall.
Officials agreed Tuesday to move ahead with a $100,000 project to firm up the ground beneath the proposed $2 million facility off Lake Avenue and come up with a final design.
But they put off any decision about whether to erect the regional building with Covanta or simply put up a structure for the use only of the city.
Public Works Director Walter Veselka said that when the city began looking at the foundation area it discovered some “soft spots.”
To deal with the problem, he said, the city needs to compact the ground and conduct a geological evaluation. It would then draw up a plan for the building foundation, Veselka said.
Veselka said he would like to have the work done by early December.
The soil work is required” whether or not the city decides to strike a deal for a regional recycling center, said John Smith, vice chairman of the Board of Finance.Mayor Art Ward said there will likely be a couple of workshop meetings about the proposed Covanta project but he won’t take any votes while he remains in office. Ward is not seeking re-election and is stepping down next month. A new mayor will take office Nov. 11.
Veselka said he would like to have the work done by early December.
The soil work is required” whether or not the city decides to strike a deal for a regional recycling center, said John Smith, vice chairman of the Board of Finance.Mayor Art Ward said there will likely be a couple of workshop meetings about the proposed Covanta project but he won’t take any votes while he remains in office. Ward is not seeking re-election and is stepping down next month. A new mayor will take office Nov. 11.
MERIDEN — A municipal parking lot on Colony Street could soon be the property of the Meriden Housing Authority, making way for a new parking garage and a four-story mixed-use building.
MANCHESTER — Eager to have access to cheaper energy, residents in the Spring Street area have been lobbying town leaders to help extend natural gas lines.William Overton of Timrod Road asked the board of directors Tuesday to use its influence with Connecticut Natural Gas to expand service to his neighborhood. Residents who now heat with oil would save thousands of dollars each year, and the town would benefit because natural gas service raises home values, Overton said.But Christopher Malone, a representative of CNG who gave a presentation at the meeting, said that although the company is eager to welcome new customers, the cost of extending gas pipes must tally with longterm benefits to the company and its ratepayers.To install new gas mains, the company needs "a reasonable rate of return," Malone said. Installation costs, which average about $500,000 for each mile of line, cannot be subsidized by existing customers, he said.
The City Council Economic Development, Housing and Zoning Committee, as well as the Planning Commission recommended the transfer of the 38-44 Colony St. parking lot to the DOT at meetings Wednesday night. The Meriden Housing Authority, DOT, Westmount Development Group, and the city are working toward $23 million worth of development on the parking lot, in addition to the adjacent 24 Colony St “We want to provide housing and we want to provide the parking to get the right people in the area to help foster commercial and retail development,” City Manager Lawrence J. Kendzior told the City Council during a presentation Monday night.