It was around 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 20 when Resa Spaziani entered a bodega on Albany Avenue accompanied by Hartford police officers, who were on a mission that morning to inspect several small storefronts suspected of illegal activity. The city, according to Hartford Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley, has a number of neighborhood markets that operate outside legitimate means violating liquor laws, peddling stolen goods, or even selling drugs. Spaziani was clad in a bulletproof vest, but she's not a cop; she's a member of the state Department of Labor's Division of Wage and Workplace Standards. The city police force asked Spaziani, and her Spanish interpreter co-worker Ariel Morales, to join their inspections because she has power they lack: the ability to shut down businesses that violate state labor laws. The strategy paid off. That morning Spaziani issued stop work orders on three separate bodegas — two on Albany Avenue and a third on Bellevue Avenue — for failing to pay wages and paying under the minimum wage. Each market was closed and faces thousands of dollars in fines. In recent years, state labor officials have ramped up efforts to crack down on unscrupulous employers that skirt labor laws by misclassifying workers as independent contractors, not reporting workers on their payroll, or failing to pay workers' compensation insurance or minimum wage, among other violations. Not only have the number of stop work orders increased, but inspections and fines are also up. More significantly, state labor officials have broadened their investigative scope. Traditionally, inspections were focused on the construction industry, but other businesses — ranging from restaurants, nail salons, small merchants, and even hospitals — are audited these days. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Harbor Point developer proposes new boatyard plan
Harbor Point developer Building and Land Technology has filed zoning applications to build a new boatyard as well as a housing development in Waterside at 28 Southfield Ave. The proposal, which was presented to The Advocate by BLT officials on Monday, comes about a year after the developer withdrew an application to construct a boatyard at 205 Magee Ave. amid strong protests from the boating community as well as city officials. The 205 Magee project had been part of a broader plan by BLT to build a $750 million headquarters for hedge fund Bridgewater Associates. BLT is hoping that the latest plan will put an end to the legal battle that has stalled development at key parcels within Harbor Point, including the peninsula which once housed a historic working boatyard. Since 2012, BLT has faced a cease-and-desist order from the city for demolishing the former Brewer’s Yacht Haven boatyard despite zoning regulations mandating the preservation of the boatyard. The latest project calls for a boatyard and 167-unit residential development on a 5.4-acre site that is currently zoned for residential and marina development. As part of the plan, BLT will construct 220 slips on the former South End boatyard site as well as provide “meaningful public access,” according to a letter to the city’s land use bureau. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Southington Council approves firm for work to stop sewer plant odors
SOUTHINGTON — The Town Council voted unanimously Monday to award a contract to a Danbury company for sewer plant improvements that could solve odor issues. At Monday’s meeting, Town Attorney Mark Sciota recommended accepting the $3.8 million bid from Kovacs Construction Corp., the lowest of four bids received by the town. The upgrade work, approved by town voters in a referendum last week, is intended in part to prevent bad smells reported by residents who live near the plant, which is in Recreation Park off South End Road. Sewer department officials say the smells were caused by changes to water treatment techniques. Research traced the odor to waste sludge containing polyaluminum chloride mixing with other sludge, triggering a chemical and biological reaction. The upgrade will also reduce the amount of sludge that needs to be hauled and incinerated. Town officials say the upgrade could save $145,000 a year in hauling fees. In the Nov. 4 referendum, voters approved spending $5.2 million for the upgrade. Democratic Councilor John Barry called for a major change in oversight of the sewer plant because of the odor problems and recent bill increases.
“We have to look at a different way of managing the sewer plant,” he said. “What’s happening now isn’t working. The council has dropped the ball time and time again as to how we operate the sewer plant.” He suggested the town investigate creating a regional sewer authority, creating a new, elected body to oversee the plant, or appointing directors for the plant. Council Chairman Michael Riccio suggested Barry take his ideas to the sewer committee first. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
PUTNAM — The contract has been signed and construction of phase one of the QuinebaugRegionalTechnicalPark should start this month. Mayor Tony Falzarano signed the contract with Tully Construction to build the bridge and road that will connect Kennedy Drive to the future 62-acre regional technical park. Falzarano said he had hoped the work would start this week. But Town Administrator Douglas Cutler said there are a few more issues that need to be put in place before work can begin. “Tully is already working on getting the necessary subcontractors in place,” Cutler said. “Within 30 days the subcontractor should be on site clearing the area.” Tully submitted the low bid of $2,248,000 to do the work and was awarded the contract by the Board of Selectmen on Oct. 14. CME Associates, the engineering firm that designed the bridge, has worked with Tully before and recommended the selectmen award them the bid, Cutler said. Tully is primarily a bridge construction company and has worked in other northeastern Connecticut towns, Cutler said. Tully will be responsible for constructing the bridge and the short road leading to it from Kennedy Drive. A sign on Kennedy Drive marks the location of the road and bridge and also thanks the three towns - Scotland, Pomfret and Brooklyn - that purchased shares in the park. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE