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Tag: public works

  • Contractor pleads guilty in $99K Suffolk ‘wage theft’ case | Long Island Business News

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    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • Over $99,000 in wages was unlawfully withheld from five employees, officials say.

    • Misclassification led to workers being severely underpaid on a Longwood school project.

    • Company is banned from NY for 5 years as part of the plea deal.

    A contractor pleaded guilty Monday in District Court to a felony charge of willfully failing to pay prevailing wages and supplemental benefits, along with a related offense. The charges stem from a public works project in which more than $99,000 was unlawfully withheld from employees, officials said.

    Geraldo DeAlmeida, of South River, NJ, and his corporation, R&L Concrete, pleaded guilty to the charges, Suffolk County District Attorney said.

    DeAlmeida and his company served as subcontractors on a project from November 25, 2019, to April 10, 2020, involving the construction of an administrative building in the , whose administrative offices are in Middle Island.

    “This conviction reaffirms my commitment to protecting workers’ rights by combatting ,” Tierney said in a news release about the guilty plea.

    “It speaks to our dedication to the fight against anyone who would fraudulently and illegally fail to pay employees for their honest labor in Suffolk County,” he added.

    Officials say that the public works contract required DeAlmeida, operating through R&L Concrete, to accurately list and classify the employees on certified payrolls and to pay them the legally mandated and supplemental benefits. Instead, officials allege that DeAlmeida willfully misclassified employees under lower-paying job titles to avoid paying the appropriate rates. As a result, several workers who were entitled to wages ranging from $68 to $198 per hour were paid only $22 to $25 per hour.

    According to officials, DeAlmeida omitted one employee entirely from the certified payrolls, in direct violation of New York State Labor Laws.

    Officials said Monday that as part of the plea agreement, DeAlmeida and his company must pay $99,671 in withheld wages to five employees. Because of the felony plea, R&L Concrete is barred by the New York State Department of Labor from participating in any public works projects in the state for the next five years.

    DeAlmeida and R&L Concrete were also involved in a separate but related settlement with the New York State Department of Labor concerning the same project. As part of that agreement, they admitted to a willful violation for underpaying employees and agreed to provide additional restitution to the affected workers.


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    Adina Genn

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  • Floodwaters rise in one Orange City neighborhood days after Milton

    Floodwaters rise in one Orange City neighborhood days after Milton

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    One Volusia County family in the Orange City area is doing what they can to save all the furniture in their lakefront trailer. It’s been days since Milton swept through the area, and almost a week later, the flooding has gotten much worse in their neighborhood. Michele Kremer is taking all the furniture in her lakefront home right off Shady Lane. “It’s been coming up anywhere from 3 to 4 inches,” said Kremer. “It’s not stopping.”WESH spoke with the Volusia County public works director who said the water is settling after Milton and it’s finding its way to the lowest point of the basin, which is the lake right in front of Kremer’s home. He said all the ground and surface water are taking its natural course and flowing to the bottom of the bowl to the lake Kremer calls Miller Lake. This lake is flooded and overwhelmed, and now the water is up to the foundation of Kremer’s trailer. “We know WAWA, Domino, Target, dumps … even Rolling Acres,” Kremer said. “They say that water’s dumping into our lake and probably from many more spots. I just don’t know exactly where.”On the other side of the lake is Miller Road, and the residents who live along that road are dealing with the same issues. Roads, yards, and driveways are under a foot to 2 feet of water. The only way into and out of the neighborhood is compromised. Monica Emerson said she’s been helping out her neighbors who are in worse shape than her. “Somebody came up with an idea of building a berm all the way around the house,” said Emerson. “Which was kind of keeping it protected from the encroaching water. So he’s (her neighbor) kind of getting it from both ends, the front and the back.”Some residents believe the county is pumping water into the lake, but the public works director said that’s not true. They also say this lake is not connected or impacted by the rising St. John’s River water levels.Now, all residents want is help because the water is rising quickly.”We actually have a huge erosion in between the houses,” Kremer said. “Which we’re afraid as it keeps building, it’s all washing away.”The public works director tells WESH that pumping the lake down is not an option. There’s nowhere for them to send the water to that won’t impact other homeowners. Also, he said it would take days just to lower it one inch. He said the county is working on a solution at least to help dry out the flooded road that’s stopping people from getting to their homes. Other than that, they have to let nature take its course and wait for the water to recede.

    ORANGE CITY, Fla. —

    One Volusia County family in the Orange City area is doing what they can to save all the furniture in their lakefront trailer.

    It’s been days since Milton swept through the area, and almost a week later, the flooding has gotten much worse in their neighborhood. Michele Kremer is taking all the furniture in her lakefront home right off Shady Lane.

    “It’s been coming up anywhere from 3 to 4 inches,” said Kremer. “It’s not stopping.”

    WESH spoke with the Volusia County public works director who said the water is settling after Milton and it’s finding its way to the lowest point of the basin, which is the lake right in front of Kremer’s home.

    He said all the ground and surface water are taking its natural course and flowing to the bottom of the bowl to the lake Kremer calls Miller Lake.

    This lake is flooded and overwhelmed, and now the water is up to the foundation of Kremer’s trailer.

    “We know WAWA, Domino, Target, dumps … even Rolling Acres,” Kremer said. “They say that water’s dumping into our lake and probably from many more spots. I just don’t know exactly where.”

    On the other side of the lake is Miller Road, and the residents who live along that road are dealing with the same issues.

    Roads, yards, and driveways are under a foot to 2 feet of water. The only way into and out of the neighborhood is compromised.

    Monica Emerson said she’s been helping out her neighbors who are in worse shape than her.

    “Somebody came up with an idea of building a berm all the way around the house,” said Emerson. “Which was kind of keeping it protected from the encroaching water. So he’s (her neighbor) kind of getting it from both ends, the front and the back.”

    Some residents believe the county is pumping water into the lake, but the public works director said that’s not true. They also say this lake is not connected or impacted by the rising St. John’s River water levels.

    Now, all residents want is help because the water is rising quickly.

    “We actually have a huge erosion in between the houses,” Kremer said. “Which we’re afraid as it keeps building, it’s all washing away.”

    The public works director tells WESH that pumping the lake down is not an option. There’s nowhere for them to send the water to that won’t impact other homeowners. Also, he said it would take days just to lower it one inch.

    He said the county is working on a solution at least to help dry out the flooded road that’s stopping people from getting to their homes. Other than that, they have to let nature take its course and wait for the water to recede.

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  • ROCKPORT RAMBLINGS: ‘Shed your meds’ topic for luncheon

    ROCKPORT RAMBLINGS: ‘Shed your meds’ topic for luncheon

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    Worried your taking too many medicines? A presentation on Wednesday may help you advocate for yourself and keep medications in check throughout the aging process.

    The Rockport Council on Aging will host Donna Bartlett, author of “MedStrong,” at a special luncheon presentation Wednesday, Feb. 21, at noon.

    The lunch and presentation topic “Shed Your Meds” is free thanks to sponsorship from Addison Gilbert Hospital and the Friends of the Rockport Council on Aging. The event will take place at the Rockport Community House, 58 Broadway, where seats are limited and advance reservations are required.

    A board-certified geriatric pharmacist based in Worcester, Bartlett is engaged in community outreach programming specializing in older adult medication needs, affordability and prescription coverage. Bartlett has seen first-hand the effects of staying on medication longer than necessary and the impact of “over medication.”

    Those in attendance can expect to come away with a better understanding of “de-prescribing” from an expert who has been practicing, teaching and speaking on the subject for more than 15 years. Copies of Bartlett’s book “MedStrong” will be available for purchase at the event.

    Seats may be reserved by contacting the Rockport Council on Aging at 978-546-2573.

    Career Day

    The DECA chapter at Rockport High School is sponsoring Career Day on Wednesday, April 3, at the school, 24 Jerden’s Lane, from 8 to 10:30 a.m., and the chapter is seeking for volunteers for presentations. Rockport High alumni are encouraged to present. Anyone interested in participating should email DECA advisor Scott Larsen at slarsen@rpk12.org.

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    Rockport Ramblings | All Hands

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  • ESG Operations to Extend Services to Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Under City of Hinesville, GA, Partnership

    ESG Operations to Extend Services to Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Under City of Hinesville, GA, Partnership

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jul 1, 2020


    HINESVILLE, Ga., July 1, 2020 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​​​On June 25, the City of Hinesville and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield (FSHAAF) signed an Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) for grounds maintenance at the installation. Signed by Col. Bryan Logan, Fort Stewart Garrison Commander, and City Mayor Allen Brown, the brief and informal ceremony was the culmination of months of hard work.

    Beginning Aug. 1, 2020, and renewable annually for 10 years, the City’s Public Works department/ESG Operations will oversee the grounds maintenance for most of the developed acreage on the installation which consists of 5,000 acres, 54 cemeteries, and 25 training ranges. Consequently, ESG will add approximately 45 new Public Works team members to fulfill the needs of the Agreement.

    “We are extremely excited to be part of this process; working with the City and Fort Stewart over the past year has been a true team effort. Hopefully this will be the beginning of even bigger things to come,” says Gary Gilliard, ESG Project Director.

    ESG partnered with the City of Hinesville in September 2016 under a Public Works and Utilities Operations and Maintenance contract which also includes the operations, maintenance and management of the City’s water and wastewater treatment facilities. Public works services include streets and drainage, stormwater, parks and grounds, fleet maintenance, sanitation, meter reading, and construction maintenance.

    “We are always looking for ways to show our support for Fort Stewart and to serve those who serve our country,” says Mayor Allen Brown. “This project is almost two years in the making and helps us plan for and accommodate growth on both sides of the fence. It goes without saying that I’m grateful to our city staff for helping making this happen and for our excellent relationship with ESG Operations and appreciate all the services they provide.”

    “The Hinesville – Fort Stewart Grounds Maintenance contract is the direct result of meetings, research, presentations and dedication from both sides of the fence. We are proud of the results and looking forward to beginning this partnership and carrying it out over the next 10 years – along with exploring the possibilities of additional ventures in the future,” said Kenneth Howard, Hinesville City Manager.

    Home to the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Division, Fort Stewart is located in southeastern Georgia near Hinesville and is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River. Hunter Army Airfield in nearby Savannah, Georgia, is a military airfield and subordinate installation to Fort Stewart, and is also the home of the U.S. Coast Guard Station, Savannah – the largest helicopter unit in the Coast Guard. These two installations, commonly known as the Stewart/Hunter complex, comprise a city unto itself, with 57,000 soldiers, civilians and family members working together in support of the Army mission.

    Photo Credit: City of Hinesville

    (The Public Relations Manager for the City of Hinesville and the Army Materiel Command contributed to this news release.)

    Contact:
    John F. Eddlemon
    jeddlemon@esginc.net
    478-474-5025

    Source: ESG Operations Inc.

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