On the Level: 2nd Quarter 2024

A New Playing Field

Inside: Stadium Upgrades, PLAs, and Infrastructure Paves the Way for Work

Director’s Message

People and Businesses are Leaving New York. It’s Time to Welcome them Back.

The world of business, and in particular, the construction business, is challenging. Recently CCA Member Joe Minuta, an architect and an Orange County legislator, invited me to be a guest on the WTBQ radio show he co-hosts with County Legislator Glenn Ehlers.

The interview started off with, “what was it like during my time in the Legislature?” That lead in reminded me of my children asking me what it was like going to school with Abe Lincoln. What was it like in the old days? Thank you to Joe and Glenn for reminding me how old I am.

Then we got into concerns for our industry, county and state. I am very troubled by state regulations on our local contractors that they must adhere to while the same requirements are not enforced on out-of-state contractors, who come here to work on a single job. When there are violations, there are never enough inspectors to get to a job site before the offending out-of-state contractor has completed his portion of the work and vanished. New York State insurances and taxes are often avoided and working conditions are questionable.

This is not a new phenomenon. I remember hearing war stories about workers being housed together in tractor trailers at a retail construction site in 1993. While I can agree with most of the regulations in place, they need to be uniformly enforced to give local contractors a fair shot. A shout out to Fellenzer Engineering for the fair and even enforcement on the Orange County IDA projects.

I also have a great concern about the outward migration of money (taxable income) and people out of New York. While Governor Hochul touts increased employment in the state, there are numerous studies - including a December 2023 study by New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli - citing the net outward migration, with the greatest being those in the $100,000-$500,000 earnings bracket.

Pattern for Progress’s May 2023 study showed that there has been an outward movement of 134,505 residents over the last 25 years in the Hudson Valley alone. IRS data indicates that New York lost $25 billion in adjusted gross income in 2021 on top of $20 billion lost in 2020. Unacast states that New York has lost 5 percent of its population and $3.7 billion per year in state income. Amazing statistics and not in a good way!

While one could nitpick that the numbers don’t exactly agree in all the studies, those people would miss the alarming point of the fact that many New Yorkers have decided the grass is greener elsewhere.

With the incredible tax burden on our businesses and individual taxpayers, the regulatory burden and the public safety crisis caused by diminished police authority, I am afraid hard-working taxpayers will feel compelled to leave the state in even higher numbers.

Politicians in Albany need to realize we must have good paying jobs so our residents can afford to stay here. All taxpayersindividuals, businesses, our contractors and union members - shouldn’t be expected to shoulder any more tax increases. It’s time our government begins to work with the business world to make New York the Empire State once again.

On another note, if you manage people, sign up for Glenn Shepard’s newsletter (at www.GlennShepard.com). Glenn always has an interesting and informative story to tell that gives a new perspective on people management. The late Dr. John D’Ambrosio introduced me to Glenn while John was President of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. I’ve been a loyal follower of Glenn’s newsletter ever since, and it’s always worth the read.

Have a great spring! See you at our annual dinner on May 7 at the Powelton Club.

Best regards,

Alan Seidman

Alan Seidman

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On the Level magazine reaches the people who are building a better Hudson Valley. From contractors and union leaders to developers, policy makers, suppliers, and business owners, if they’re involved in construction they’re reading On the Level

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To advertise with us or to learn more about our services and membership benefits, contact:

Lisa Ramirez, Editor: lramirez@ccahv.com

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Board of Directors

Construction Contractors Association

Mike Adams — Board President

James McGowan — First Vice President

Joseph Perez — Second Vice President

Josh Ingber — Secretary-Treasurer

Scott Dianis — Immediate Past President

Joseph Barone

Roland Bloomer

Dan Depew

Louis Doro

Joe Jerkowski

Kurt Kaehler

Anthony Perrello, Jr.

Mark Stier

Alfred D. Torreggiani

Charlotte Van Horn

Fabricators, Erectors & Reinforcing Contractors Association

Justin E. Darrow — Chairman

Jake Bidosky — Vice Chairman

Bernie Hillman — Secretary

Daniel Teutul — Treasurer

SMACNA of Southeastern NY

Steve Mulholland — President

Dominick DiViesti — Vice President

William Haskel — Treasurer

Mark DiPasquale — Secretary

James D Annibale — Immediate Past President

Louis J. Doro — Trustee and Chapter Representative

Walter “Chip” Greenwood — Trustee and Chair of SMACNA North East

Richard K. Berg — Trustee

Dan Harden — Trustee

Dennis LaVopa, Jr. — Trustee

Association Staff:

Alan Seidman — Executive Director

Lisa Ramirez — Director of Communications and Marketing

Millie Rodriguez — Office Administrator

Vincent Rouhotas —Membership Coordinator

Renegades’ New Home

Share Your Story Ideas

Lisa Ramirez Full story at ccahv.com

Welcome to Our New Members

We are pleased to welcome our newest members to the Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley:

E-Gill Rebar specializes in the supply, assembly and installation of reinforcing steel bars (REBAR) for reinforced concrete structures and works with contractors from planning stages to end-line production, helping contractors increase efficiency and stay within time and budget constraints. E-Gill’s core team combines for over 75 years of leadership experience on some of the largest rebar projects in the region with certifications that include New York State, the Port Authority of Port Authority of NY & NJ, the DOT and the MTA.

To learn more call 845-559-8659 or visit www.e-gillrebar.com

The YMI Group provides award-winning mechanical construction, HVAC and plumbing service to general contractors; high-tech companies; property management firms; local, state, and federal government agencies; and hospitals and laboratories. Since its inception in 2009, the company has been committed to developing long-term relationships with its customers through a dedication to building systems knowledge and expertise, superior service, practical applications of advanced technology, and continuing education and training. To meet the demands of the New York and surrounding areas, YMI has opened a new office to strategically service and provide our professional installation in HVAC and plumbing services to these areas. This combined with the corporate facilities located in Elk Grove Village, IL, which serves our commercial piping, plumbing, sheet metal, provides a total of 62,000 square feet of qualified fabrication space to better serve our clients and meet all of our corporate fabrication requirements. Our Illinois facility operates under the U.A. National Pipe Fabrication agreement and uses blended crews to bring cost and scheduling savings to every project.

To learn more call 845-330-4200 or visit www.TheYMIgroup.com

Ringler Construction is a family-owned and operated concrete flatwork company established in 2009. The company provides place and finish services throughout New York and New Jersey, including several million square feet of floors and sidewalks, many in New York City. Owner Bradley Ringler is a proud member of Local 780, taking pride in putting out quality work with the best people and equipment in the industry.

To learn more call 914-837-7400 or email ringlerconstruction@gmail.com.

Join CCA

Since 1956, the CCA has had a hand in almost every significant construction project in the region. With a commitment to providing quality management together with outstanding local labor, CCA members get the job done right, on time and within budget.

The CCA is your tireless advocate. OUR MEMBERS ENJOY:

• The power and leverage of strong relationships with state, local and federal officials

• Project leads

Exclusive networking and informational opportunities

• Inclusion in the CCA’s directory of contractors, suppliers and service providers

• The support of the CCA’s expert staff

Money saving support of the CCA’s labor expertise regarding compliance, wage and fringe issues, and grievances

• Competitive health insurance plans with premium rates not available on the open market

Access to exclusive networking events

Retirement planning

PROVIDING EXPERT VERTICAL ACCESS SOLUTIONS

Service Scaffold Company Inc is one of the fastest-growing independent scaffolding companies in the Tri-State Area offering innovative and cost-effective scaffold access and protection solutions to major residential, commercial, civil and industrial customers.

With over 60 years of experience, our talented team has the strength and resources to deliver competitive custom scaffold solutions for any size project. Whether it’s designing and installing scaffold equipment for a large urban building or coming to the aid of a client to erect an emergency sidewalk canopy, we can deliver access and protection.

• Mast Climbing Work platforms

• Construction hoists and transport platforms

• Supported Scaffold

• Temporary Stair Access

• Sidewalk shed and overhead protection

• Shoring

Wall

• Temporary weather enclosures

INFRASTRUCTURE: Water, Sewer Improvements on Tap for Orange County

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

From Appius Claudius Caecus, the statesman credited with bringing the first aqueducts to Rome, to the Mad Max bad guys, it has always been understood: Without water, you’re sunk.

It is the same everywhere, across all time and the entire globe, and it holds true here in the Hudson Valley. Clean, reliable water delivery and, conversely, a system by which to carry it away is the foundation on which everything else relies. All development and construction - be it residential or commercial or industrial or anything else the zoning allows - goes nowhere without water and sewer.

Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano paraphrased the maxim at a recent gathering of economic development leaders, elected officials and project business people. Hosted by the Alliance for Balanced Growth, the Feb. 29 information session — titled Water & Sewer: A Strategic Resource for Smart Growth — focused on the need for enhanced infrastructure and the hurdles in the way.

Infrastructure: Water, Sewer Improvements on Tap for Orange County

The event, held at The Country Club at Otterkill in Campbell Hall, featured a panel that included DeStefano; Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus; John Brust, principal, Delaware Engineering DPC, and Joseph G. McKay, partner at Catania, Mahon & Rider, PLLC. Dan Depew, co-chair of the Alliance and Director of Business Development at Holt Construction, moderated the discussion.

It was DeStefano who looked back on millenia of economic development and succinctly defined the core issue.

“He who controls the water rules the world,” the mayor said. “Wars are fought over water.”

He added that Middletown’s economic health and development is discussed at every meeting of the city’s Common Council, and water and sewer service is an integral part of the conversation.

For Orange County, the challenge of adequate water and sewer service is twofold. Aging

water/sewer infrastructure is in want of repairs and, in some instances, replacement. Meanwhile, interest in the region is high and developers are seeking sites, but there times when adequate water and sewer isn’t available at all.

All agreed: The region’s economic future hangs in the balance.

For example, Conor Eckert, Vice President of Business Attraction for the Orange County Partnership noted that the Partnership, recently held a site tour for a leading manufacturer of off-shore wind components, and the firm is exploring the feasibility of a $600-million project, and Orange County is perfectly situated.

“Water and sewer are critical components to executing on these projects,” Ecker said. “The big developers will no longer accept going onto a property without municipal water and sewer.”

The good news is that significant funding is available.

In November 2022 New York voters approved the state’s $4.2-billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. Last year, the state handed out grants totaling $1 billion for water and sewer projects. Over the previous seven years, a combined $2 billion in grants were issued.

“We’re putting tens of millions of dollars (of American Rescue Plan Act funding) into infrastructure,” Orange County Executive Neuhaus said.

“You are going to see some massive stuff go out to bidding for development right now,” he said, adding that the county is also investing in road and bridge infrastructure.

The Naysayers

Water and sewer projects, like all development, are subject to public scrutiny and, almost invariably, some opposition.

For Middletown Mayor DeStefano, the key to turning that scrutiny into support is communication.

DeStefano noted that a contingent of his constituency balked when his administration floated the idea of selling Middltown’s water and sewer services to surrounding communities. But the proposal won support as residents learned that selling one million gallons of water and sewer per day would generate $6 million for the city each year, thus reducing everyone’s property tax burden.

“The loudest voices are usually the minority. My job as an elected official is to listen to them, but I have to also look at the bigger picture,” DeStefano said.

“There are 30,000 people in the City of Middletown, but the same 50 will show up at a meeting.”

The Solutions

Neuhaus pointed to cooperative water/sewer ventures the county is pursuing with municipalities, including the Route 17M corridor through

Middletown, New Hampton, Goshen and Wawayanda. The stretch is ripe with potential; the New York State Dormitory Authority at the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in New Hampton is now under major redevelopment.

McKay echoed the benefits of collaboration and ingenuity.

“The disconnect that I see is that a lot of the smaller communities are using that funding to repair their aging infrastructure,” McKay said. “You have part of the county moving forward with vision, and then you have some communities that want to share in that vision, but they need the money to simply, no pun intended, keep their head above water.”

The answer, he posited, lies in teamwork and bringing people together.

“The Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson has been providing water to the Town of Cornwall since 1895. Those people had a lot of vision,” McKay said. “There are creative ways to solve problems.”

Brust cautioned that while there is significant funding available from both federal and state sources, the competition for that money is fierce.

In 2008 the state Department of Environmental Conservation estimated the sewer and water infrastructure needs statewide at $80 billion. Today, that need has ballooned to $250 billion. Plus, he said, the money can be slow in coming, even if a grant application is successful.

Securing funding “is about vision and leadership,” Brust said, adding, “it’s a years’ long process to make it happen.”

Despite the challenges, all the panelists remain optimistic.

Said Depew, “Anything can be done if you have leaders that want to do it.”

Membership has its Benefits How CCA Members Save with a Workers’ Compensation Insurance Safety Group

Steve Bell Vice President Underwriting & Sales, Lovell Safety Management Co., LLC

To compete in the ever-changing and competitive landscape of the construction industry requires a low-cost, reliable and comprehensive workers’ compensation insurance solution. That’s why Lovell Safety Management, in conjunction with construction associations and construction contractors, created a workers’ compensation insurance safety group program in 1960.

With more than 64 years of history, this fully insured program — known as Safety Group #469 — operates on a non-profit basis, providing low upfront costs while delivering financial returns through dividends.

Safety Group Benefits

Safety groups are a collection of New York businesses in the same trade or industry who group together to reduce workers’ compensation costs. This enables group members to spread the risk of loss from the individual policyholder to all members of the group. These fully insured programs combine members’ annual workers’ compensation premiums and then deduct the costs of claims and administrative charges. Any money left over after accounting for these expenses is available for payment of a dividend. Since its inception, Safety Group #469 has returned more than $620 million to its members.

To further reduce cost, safety group managers encourage and assist members in instituting measures to prevent accidents and make the workplace as safe as possible.

All construction contractors with primary business operations in New York are potentially eligible for Safety Group #469. Occasional losses are inevitable, so to ensure the program’s success it is imperative that group members achieve good loss results. That’s why qualification is also based on historical loss trends, underscoring the significance of a steadfast dedication to safety practices.

Recognizing the diverse footprint of businesses in the construction industry, the program can extend coverage

to other states. This enables members to manage their workers’ compensation insurance through a single invoice, simplifying the complexities associated with overseeing coverage in multiple states.

Joining Safety Group #469 presents construction contractors with a host of compelling advantages. Members enjoy an advance discount of up to 32.5 percent on their workers’ compensation insurance costs. In addition, any underwriting profits the group earns are available to pay dividends. The dividend for the most recent year was 27.5 percent of premium.

The benefits of membership are more than just financial; the safety group also provides access to industry leading safety, claim and underwriting expertise.

Managed by Lovell

Group #469 is managed by Lovell Safety Management Co., LLC and a committee of its members. Lovell has been the market leader in managing workers’ compensation safety groups since 1936, providing comprehensive services to ensure the program’s success..

Lovell’s team of experts provide loss prevention services to prevent and control losses, claims management services to mitigate the cost of claims, and underwriting services to ensure each member is priced at the lowest possible cost. These services produce underwriting profits that are returned to members through upfront discounts and dividend payments.

The combination of the CCA’s and Lovell’s respective expertise ensures that CCA members are provided unparalleled benefits and can navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation insurance and the construction industry with confidence.

To learn more about Safety Group #469, contact Lovell Safety Management Co., LLC at 1-800-556-8355.

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Dietz Set to Welcome Athletes by Fall 2024

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

A much-anticipated $22 million rebuild of Dietz Stadium should be complete by late summer, just in time for the fall reopening of schools and the high school sports season.

“We were all pleased to see the significant work that has been done to date, and that the project is currently on schedule for substantial completion by Aug. 31,” Kingston Mayor Steven Noble said, noting that this year’s relatively mild winter helped keep the construction schedule on track despite unanticipated issues with rock removal.

Dietz Stadium is the home field of the Kingston High School Tigers football team. Built in the 1940s and originally dubbed Kingston Municipal Stadium, it was dedicated in 1954 to Kingston-native Robert H. Dietz, a Medal of Honor recipient killed in World War II. The stadium is also home to the Kingston Stockade Football Club, a semi-pro soccer team, and the Hudson Valley Buccaneers, a semi-pro football team.

“We are very happy with the progress that has been made so far and are looking forward to getting our students back into this upgraded facility,” Kingston City School District Superintendent Dr. Paul J. Padalino said.

A March 2024 progress report put the stadium at about 35 percent complete, and, officials noted, the construction pace will accelerate substantially this spring, putting it on track for fall play.

Funding included $2.5million from a $10 million DRI award Kingston won in 2017, which covered the costs of the full master plan and designs and some construction of some elements identified in the plan. Kingston also received two New York State grants for green infrastructure improvements to the parking lot and surrounding drive; $1.5 million from the Environmental Facilities Corporation and $1 million from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The remaining amount — approximately $19 million — is being shared with the Kingston City School District.

Work has been completed on Phase 1, which included the exterior of the Andretta Pool House, improvements and repairs to the pool, and the addition of the splash pad. The pool and a picnic area are across the street from the stadium.

Much of Phase 2 is focused on the stadium and its surroundings. Pre-construction work and site clearing began in fall 2022.

Kingston entered into a Project Labor Agreement with local unions and have contracted with several local construction companies, including Darlind Associates (general construction) and Dynamic Systems (mechanical and plumbing.) continued...

New Dietz will Boast Improved Grandstand, Parking, Concessions, Basketball Courts and More

The Dietz Stadium and Andretta Pool Improvements Project is a multi-phased, comprehensive restoration of the sports complex, parking lot and surrounding drive. The renovated Dietz will be a 2,000 seat, state-of-the-art regional sports attraction and economic driver for the City of Kingston.

Stadium improvement highlights include:

• Exterior renovations of the grandstand, including improved accessibility (ADA), a 50-yard line access tunnel to the locker rooms, new benches and press box upgrades

• Interior renovations of the grandstand, including upgrades to the restrooms, new locker rooms, new mechanical/ electrical services, coaches offices, training room and improved storage facilities

• New track surfacing, turf field, and LED stadium lighting

• New scoreboard with large screen broadcasting

• All new underground utilities (water, sewer, storm, electric, communications)

• Removal of the old concession building and administration building and construction of a new 100’ x 36’ open-air pavilion with food truck hook-ups, concession booth and referee locker room

• Visitors concession area with two restrooms

• Expanded grassed practice area with an equipment storage building

• New gated ticket booth grandstand entrance

• Bus parking and new parking lots with green infrastructure

• Improved access loop road and sidewalks around the stadium

• Two-way access to Hurley Avenue and Joys Lane

• Relocated basketball court with benches and lighting

• Pedestrian access to Joys Lane

• New stadium perimeter fencing

• Upgraded Wi-Fi and security cameras

• Landscaping, including 125 new trees

Innovation Excellence Integrity

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• Wrongful Termination

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INFRASTRUCTURE: Quickway Finally Getting that Third Lane?

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

It’s

an assurance we’ve heard so many times and over so many years that it’s become difficult to believe: “Route 17’s getting a third lane.”

Talk of expanding, or improving, or adding lanes to Route 17 began decades ago, when Catskill-bound summer visitors could bring the Quickway to a crawl. Most locals know to avoid the road westbound on Fridays, eastbound on Sunday night, and have at one time or another been stranded for hours in backups caused by accidents or breakdowns. Harriman to Exit 113 on the “Wurtsboro hill” has always been the most troublesome stretch.

But, dare we say, the wait is (sorta) over.

The New York State Department of Transportation earlier this year held two public meetings in the

Town of Wallkill to answer community questions and provide updates on the conversion of a section of Route 17 to I-86 from the 1-87 connection in Harriman (Orange County) to Sullivan County’s Exit 113. In all, it’s about $1 billion in upgrades.

It’s dubbed the “NYS Route 17 Mobility and Access Improvements Project,” and if the timeline on the DOT’s website is to be believed, that third lane — one in each direction, no less - could be a reality by 2030. Preliminary designs are underway, and a draft environmental impact station is set for completion by late 2025.

Route 17’s improvements will come in phases:

The Route 17 at Exit 122 Project: Upgrades to this busy interchange which provides access to Mechanicstown, Scotchtown, Middletown, and Washington Heights. This is a busy commercial hub, with retail, lodging, commuter train and bus stations, and Orange Regional Medical Center. It’s also a trouble spot where traffic accidents are not uncommon. Construction, scheduled to begin in this spring, should be complete by winter 2025.

Among the upgrades are the relocation of the exit ramp; direct access from the Crystal Run Road Park and Ride to I-84; the widening of the Wallkill River bridge at the approach to the exit, allowing for deceleration to meet interstate standards, a tunnel, and landscaping.

The Route 17 Mobility & Access Improvements

Project: The crux of the Route 17 to I-86 initiative, intended to address congestion, improve safety, and includes the long-hoped-for third lane.

Work on Route 17 is projected to commence by early 2026 or so, coinciding with the completion of the Exit 122 work.

The upgrades have the support of many municipal leaders and economic development experts, who say the roadway improvements will improve travel for residents and visitors and also encourage commercial development.

“For too long, local and regional travelers have heard empty promises about the future of Route 17 to I-86 conversion, and we have all seen those rusty ‘Future I-86’ signs along the shoulder to prove it,” New York State Senator James Skoufis said in a statement. “When completed, this interstate will serve as a vital connector and tourism corridor for the Hudson Valley and the Catskills, buoying our economy with new jobs and easier access to the exceptional amenities this region is known for.”

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, Orange County Chamber of Commerce and Legoland are among the groups and businesses that have also rallied for the expansion.

But expansion has its naysayers, who argue that the third lane is an expensive and unnecessary overcorrection to the inconvenience of some seasonal congestion. Others, including the Catskill Mountainkeeper, a nonprofit whose mission is to protect the region’s natural resources, warn that Route 17 expansion won’t ease traffic, but will simply lure more cars and more pollution.

The Natural Resources Defense Council has also weighed in, saying: “Expanding Route 17 is not only at odds with the state’s climate law but would be inconsistent with other state laws and federal transportation requirements.”

Legislation converting Route 17 to I-86 dates back 26 years, to the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. It was then that NYS Route 17 from the New York-Pennsylvania state line in the west to its intersection with Interstate-87 in Orange County was designated for inclusion in the Interstate System. Eventually, Route 17 will be converted to Interstate-86 and will link Interstates 81 and 88 at Binghamton; Interstate-84 at Middletown, and Interstate-87 at Harriman.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Route 17 Poised to Spur Semiconductor Renaissance

By Maureen Halahan President, CEO, Orange County Partnership

We’re living through a new industrial revolution, driven by a global competition for semiconductor manufacturing projects. The United States, China, Japan, Taiwan, Germany and other countries are vying to attract and support these significant capital-intensive projects. New York has emerged as a rising star in the semiconductor industry – Global Foundries, Onsemi, AMD, IBM, and now Micron have positioned New York State to play a critical role in growing this dynamic industry.

We recently attended the Semiconductor Strategy Symposium, one of the largest semiconductor conferences in the world. Hundreds of executives from across the industry were in attendance, from companies like Micron, Intel, Onsemi and numerous supply chain manufacturers.

With a contingent of economic developers from across New York State, our goal was clear: position Orange County and the Mid-Hudson as “the bridge” between New York City innovation and upstate semiconductor assets — an ideal

location for the supply chain. Specifically, the semiconductor supply chain opportunity is driven by the manufacturers of tools, equipment, packaging, and advanced materials — these firms are suppliers for chip fabrication plants, and will seek to establish advanced manufacturing facilities proximate to their semiconductor customers across the northeast.

To attract and grow this industry, we cannot proceed alone, collaboration is key. To that end, we’re working with our partners from Sullivan, Delaware, and Broome counties along Route 17 to collaboratively market the corridor for semiconductor and advanced manufacturing. The goal of this collaboration is to share assets, leads, and opportunities — combining our collective market assets to position the corridor for a robust manufacturing ecosystem. This corridor can accommodate different projects in

the supply chain and manufacturing space. Our distinct, dynamic markets will be connected via an innovation super-highway.

The real estate industry is rapidly changing around us – reshoring, federal and state tax credits, infrastructure demand, market ecosystems, etc. If we don’t act now, we will miss the opportunity to fundamentally change our market– aggressive, bold action is needed to play a role in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industry. Site development, infrastructure investment, and regional collaboration are critical for the economy of today, and tomorrow.

The Orange County Partnership is a private notfor-profit office of economic development that serves as the external marketing agency for business development in Orange County.

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Watervliet Teen Readies to Walk the Iron at Capital Region BOCES

Story and Photos by Michael McCagg Capital Region BOCES Communications Specialist

Lajay York learned about construction working alongside her father, Leon, then built upon that knowledge by watching the TV show Forged in Fire, where she gained an appreciation for the art of welding.

Now, the high school junior is marrying those two interests at Capital Region BOCES, where she’s building the knowledge and skills necessary for a career as an ironworker.

“There’s not a lot of us women in welding, but that just makes me want to do it more,” the teen said. “I get really excited when I accomplish something because it’s not expected. It’s a ‘guy skill’ in their mind. But it’s not.”

March was National Women in The Trades Month, when Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School

spotlights students like York, who are challenging gender stereotypes and building solid futures through a BOCES education. Only about 5 percent of the 405,000 welders in the U.S. are women, according to federal labor statistics.

“BOCES is like a giant family. Everyone is helpful. If you need help with something, your classmates will come over and help you or your teacher will help you. Even if it’s not in the classroom, people are just really nice and helpful and want you to succeed,” York said.

“As part of her welding education, York has taken part in “work-based learning” with the City of Albany Department of General Services, where, she said, the environment has been open and supportive.

“I love it there. The people are helpful, and I am doing some of the things that I have learned here,” York said. “I have used a torch and a plasma cutter there and we are about to weld a garbage truck.”

Work-Based Learning Coordinator James Haas said York is a good student making the most of the opportunity at BOCES and with Albany.

“Every time I have come in contact with Ms. York or our business partners at (General Services), their purpose and

joy is clearly expressed,” Haas said. “Everyone involved is getting a lot out of this arrangement.”

York is among five dozen students currently enrolled in the Welding and Metal Fabrication program. Students in the two-year program learn American Welding Society standards and earn certifications that prepare them for a career in the industry. Located on the Albany campus, the program is being expanded to the Schoharie campus for the 2024-25 school year to address increasing demand among students.

Meanwhile, York is eager to begin her career.

“I want to be an ironworker,” said York. “I want to be up high in the air welding.”

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NLRB Rules Worker’s “BLM” Action Was Protected In the News

Home Depot violated the National Labor Relations Act when it discharged an employee for refusing to remove the letters “BLM” from their work apron, the National Labor Relations Board has found.

Under the National Labor Relations Act, employees have the right to discuss working conditions with their co-workers, including topics such as scheduling, their bosses, vacation time and workplace discrimination.

In the Home Depot case, the NLRB found that the retailer broke the law when it made the removal of “BLM” — which stands for “Black Lives Matter” — a condition of employment. The worker refused and resigned.

In its decision, the NLRB noted that the workers had discussed alleged discrimination and unfairness at the New Brighton, Minn. store, complained to management, and several other employees at the store displayed “BLM” on their aprons during the same time period. Further, the discharged worker had written emails to management requesting “a broader discussion about racial injustice and discrimination in the workplace.”

The National Labor Relations Act protects the right of employees to engage in “concerted activities” for the purpose of “mutual aid or protection.” The Board reasoned that the employee’s refusal to remove the BLM marking was “concerted” because it was a “logical outgrowth” of prior concerted employee protests about discrimination and because it was an attempt to bring those group complaints to the attention of managers. The discharged employee’s conduct was also “for mutual aid or protection” because the issue of racial discrimination involved working conditions.

“It is well-established that workers have the right to join together to improve their working conditions — including by protesting racial discrimination in the workplace,” said NLRB Chairperson Lauren McFerran. “It is equally clear that an employee who acts individually to support a group protest regarding a workplace issue remains protected under the law.”

The NLRB is an independent federal agency that protects employees from unfair labor practices.

Photo Credit: The New York Times, Godofredo A. Vasquez/Pool, via Reuters

Montgomery Biz Park Lands FAST Grant

The Aden Brook Commerce Park in Montgomery has secured a $462,000 FAST NY Shovel-Ready Grant.

Empire State Development provides grants for pre-development activities and infrastructure investments to develop sites that will attract high-tech manufacturing, renewable energy, life sciences, materials processing and industrial machinery manufacturing.

Aden Brook Commerce Park, a 116-acre farm site, is set to feature an array of buildings designed for advanced manufacturing uses such as microelectronics and clean tech. Local economic development officials aim to use Aden Brook as a bridge between New York City and Albany, offering supply chain connectivity, proximity to innovation institutions and access to downstate talent.

“The Orange County IDA is proud to have teamed up with the Orange County Partnership in submitting this grant application,” said Orange County IDA Executive Director Bill Fioravanti. The money, he said, “will help facilitate the development of our newest advanced manufacturing park, creating good paying jobs and delivering tax revenue to the residents of Orange County.”

The FAST NY grant will go towards costs related to engineering, site design, environmental review (SEQRA) and consulting. The grant awards — which, along with Aden Brook, included sites in Oneida, Broome, Chemung, Niagara, Clinton and Fulton counties - were announced in March.

Federal Funds Headed to Orange, Dutchess for Community Upgrades

Nearly $17 million is headed to local community organizations in the 18th Congressional District, it was announced in March. The funding includes:

IN ORANGE COUNTY:

• Newburgh: $4.1 million to the Boys and Girls Club for facility rehabilitation

• Kiryas Joel: $2 million for cost associated with tapping into the New York City aqueduct

• Port Jervis: $1 million to The Rumshock Village Veterans Project to build 10 one-bedroom/one-bath houses for homeless veterans.

• Middletown: Nearly $1 million for water infrastructure improvements

• Village of Warwick: Nearly $1 million for water infrastructure improvements

• Cornwall-on-Hudson: Nearly $1 million for water infrastructure improvements

• Chester Agricultural Center: $1 million

• Otisville 4-H: $1 million

IN DUTCHESS COUNTY:

• City of Poughkeepsie: $1 million to the Youth Opportunity Union to re-develop the site of the former Dutchess YMCA

• Family Services: $1 million for facility improvements

• Millerton: $1 million for water infrastructure improvements

• Town of Wappingers: $1 million for water infrastructure improvements

• Rifton and Tivoli fire departments: $500,000 each

In Memoriam Dario

Boccarossa, September 1, 1944 - March 15, 2024

The CCA is saddened to hear that Dario Boccarossa, who dedicated his life to advocating for the working members of the Local 141 Laborers Union, has passed away.

Dario, a resident of Carmel, NY and formerly of Port Chester, died peacefully on March 15, 2024. He was 79.

Dario was born Sept. 1, 1944 in Picinisco, Italy to the late Carmine and Loretta Boccarossa.

He was the beloved husband of Debra and is survived by his brother, Vittorio (wife Rita) and sister, Genoveffa. He was also the adored uncle of 11 nieces and nephews.

Dario was passionate about his family, golf, cars and work. He became Business Manager of Local 141 in 1977, and in 1985 responsibilities expanded to the Westchester District Council and merged all the locals in 1993, after which he managed the newly formed Local 235.

For the last 27 years of his career he led the Eastern New York Labor District Council as President.

Dario will rest in eternal peace with his predeceased sister Carmela and brothers Antonio, Gerardo, Michele and Rinaldo.

A visitation was held March 20 at the Joseph J. Smith Funeral Home in Mahopac. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 21 at St. James the Apostle Church in Carmel.

Memorial contributions in Dario’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association.

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Luke’s Cornwall Chronic Care Center

What‘s Next?

Why Succession Planning is Imperative

By Thomas J. Zupan, CPA, MBA —Client Service Partner, RBT CPAs, LLP

Succession planning is a critical strategic process that ensures business continuity in the event of a leadership change. It is a proactive approach that involves identifying and developing potential leaders who can replace key roles when they become vacant. This process is crucial in every industry, but it holds particular significance in construction due to its unique challenges and skills and knowledge requirements.

Succession planning enables a smooth transition should someone in a key role leave or become unable to work. Construction projects often involve complex operations and long timelines. Having a well-prepared successor can ensure that projects stay on track during a leadership change. In addition, succession planning fosters a culture that shows staff development matters. By identifying potential leaders and providing them with training and mentorship, companies can enhance employee engagement and retention. Finally, succession planning reduces the risk of business disruption. In the construction industry, where contracts are time-bound and penalties for delays can be substantial, business continuity is critical.

Succession planning in the construction industry entails a systematic process beginning with identifying key roles that are critical for business operations. These roles often include the company owner, project manager, site supervisor, and

other positions that are instrumental in decision-making and project execution.

Once these roles have been identified, potential successors are selected based on their skills, experience, and leadership potential. These individuals are then provided with targeted development opportunities, such as training programs, mentoring, job rotation, and exposure to strategic decision-making. This process helps them acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their potential future roles.

The impacts of not having a succession plan can be severe. Without one, the transition of leadership roles can be chaotic and stressful, leading to disruptions in project execution. This can result in delays, cost overruns, and potential damage to the company’s reputation.

Furthermore, the lack of a succession plan can lead to talent drain. If employees do not see opportunities for advancement within the company they may choose to leave, taking their skills and knowledge with them. This can further exacerbate the leadership vacuum and affect the company’s long-term sustainability.

What’s more, in the absence of a succession plan, companies may resort to a hurried recruitment process, which can lead to the selection of leaders who are ill-prepared for their roles. This can impact the quality of decision-making and potentially put the entire business at risk.

Don’t leave the future of your business to chance. Invest time and resources in developing a robust succession plan that prepares the company for future leadership transitions and promotes long-term success.

Paves Way for Workforce Re-Entry

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

New York’s new Clean Slate Act will automatically seal certain criminal records for most individuals convicted of a crime, opening up meaningful job opportunities for countless individuals.

Labor unions as well as several municipalities — Westchester, Albany, Ulster County, Newburgh, Ellenville, Poughkeepsie, Beacon and New Paltz among them - have passed resolutions in support of Clean Slate.

The act, which becomes effective Nov. 16, 2024, will automatically seal certain criminal records after a required waiting period – three years after conviction or release from incarceration for a misdemeanor and eight years for a felony – provided the individual has maintained a clean record and is no longer on probation or parole.

There are exclusions. Individuals with pending criminal charges, who are required to register as a

sex offender, who received a life sentence, or were convicted of a class A felony – murder, for example –are ineligible for Clean Slate.

Other Clean Slate provisions include:

• Any revocation of parole or probation, or a new conviction, will restart the waiting period.

• The law seals records but does not expunge them.

• The Act only seals convictions under New York penal law; it does not seal convictions under federal law or the criminal law of other states.

Employers, including those that work with children, the elderly or vulnerable adults, law enforcement,

and any that are entitled to receive a fingerprint-based check of criminal history will continue to have access to these records. Such checks are considered necessary prior to the employment of individuals working with these populations and will include criminal records which have been sealed under Clean Act.

There are many other exceptions to the sealing of records that could specifically impact certain positions in your organization. Employers should begin to review with legal counsel how the Clean Slate Act will impact them.

“The (Clean Slate Act) will restore the power and dignity of workers who have paid their debt to society, yet find that they aren’t truly free to rebuild their lives,” said Henry Garrido, executive director of District Council 37, the largest public employee union in New York City.

“They are workers who perform some of the hardest labor at the lowest wages. Holding them back from full participation in the workforce is neither fair nor rational.”

Unions is support or the law include:

• Laborers’ Local 79

• Hotel Trades Council (HTC)

• 1199SEIU

• CWA District 1

• District Council 37

• Legal Services Staff Association, NOLSW/UAW 2320

• Mason Tenders

• NYS Nurses Association

• RWDSU Local 338

• UAW Region 9A

• New York City Peer Workforce Coalition

• Joint Council No. 16

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INFRASTRUCTURE: Rail Projects on Track to Create Thousands of Union Jobs

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor is getting a $16.4 billion influx of federal funding to rebuild aging tunnels, bridges, stations and tracks.

With a $66 billion total investment in national rail, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law marks the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak and stands to generate 100,000 jobs for union construction workers. Of that, 25 projects are planned for the Boston-to-D.C, Northeast Corridor, which, with 800,000 trips per day, is the nation’s busiest rail corridor. The trains carry five times more passengers than all flights between Washington and New York, yet this major transportation artery hasn’t seen meaningful investment in generations.

The goal of the infrastructure improvements is to increase passenger rail operating speeds, improve travel time, and reduce delays. At the same time, Amtrak has launched a $9 billion fleet program, replacing more than 1,000 locomotives and coaches with state-of-the art, American-made equipment.

The $16.4 billion announcement is through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Federal State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program, and reflects $9 billion in 2022-2023 funding and $7.4 billion in future commitments.

Major Northeast Corridor projects include:

• The Gateway Hudson River Tunnel: $3.8 billion to rehabilitate and expand the Hudson River Tunnel between New York and New Jersey, which is more than a century old, serves 200,000 riders daily, and sustained damage in Superstorm Sandy.

• The Hudson Tunnel Project is a critical component of the Gateway Program, a comprehensive investment program to improve commuter and intercity rail services and increase capacity for the busiest section of the Northeast Corridor.

• Penn Station Access: $1.6 billion to repair and upgrade 19 miles of the Hell Gate Line, including tracks, bridges and signals. The project will introduce Metro-North service to Penn Station, increase Amtrak service, reduce travel time, and create four fully ADA-accessible stations. This project is in active construction as of 2023.

• Frederick Douglass Tunnel: $4.7 billion to replace the 150-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel, dramatically increasing speeds and reducing delays. The tunnel is the largest Northeast Corridor bottleneck between Washington and

New Jersey and a single point of failure for the 24,000 passengers who rely on it daily. Construction began in March.

• Susquehanna River Bridge: $2.1 billion to replace the Maryland rail bridge with two new spans, allowing speeds to increase and improving reliability.

• The Connecticut River Bridge: $827 million to replace a 116-year-old bridge with a modern, movable bridge, increasing rail speeds, reliability and safety. Construction will begin this year.

• Two planning studies are included in the investment; one examining ways to reduce travel time between New York and Washington, D.C., and one exploring future infrastructure options.

Across all Northeast Corridor projects an agreement is in place between Amtrak and North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) that ensures the work will be performed under a collective bargaining agreement that addresses wages, benefits and working conditions. The agreement also promotes diversity and veteran hiring, and contractors and subcontractors will share the commitment to fair wages and benefits.

The goal of the infrastructure improvements is to increase passenger rail operating speeds, improve travel time, and reduce delays.

Safety Roundup

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Worksite Penalties Rise with Cost of Living

The U.S. Department of Labor has made changes to Occupational Safety and Health Administration civil penalty amounts based on cost-of-living adjustments for 2024.

This final rule increases penalties the DOL assesses, including those issued by OSHA, based on workplace violations of safety and health standards. Here’s a look at the new maximum penalties:

• Other Than Serious Violation: A violation that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

Up to $16,131 (increased from $15,625) for each violation is discretionary. The penalty may be reduced by as much as 95 percent, based on the employer’s good faith, history of previous violations and size of business.

• Serious Violation: A violation where there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and that the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

Up to $16,131 per violation (increased from $15,625) is mandatory. The penalty may be reduced based on the employer’s good faith, history of violations, the gravity of the violation and size of business.

• Willful Violation: A violation that the employer knowingly commits or commits with plain indifference to the law.

Up to $161,323 (increased from $156,259) for each violation can be imposed. The penalty may be reduced, depending on the size of the business and history of previous violations. Usually, no credit is given for good faith. If an employer is convicted of a willful violation that has resulted in the death of an employee, the offense is punishable by a court imposed fine, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

A fine of up to $250,000 for an individual, or $500,000 for a corporation, may be imposed for a criminal conviction.

• Repeat Violation: A violation of any standard, regulation, rule, or order where, upon re-inspection, a substantially similar violation can bring a fine of up to $161,323 (increased from $156,259) per violation.

• Failure to Abate Prior Violation: A civil penalty of up to $16,131 (increased from $15,625) for each day the violation continues beyond the abatement date.

Congress passed the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act in 2015 requiring agencies to publish “catch-up” rules and make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation by Jan. 15 of each year. (This year, Jan. 15 fell on a federal holiday, so the updated OSHA penalties became effective Jan. 16.)

Traveling? Be Prepared and Put that Phone Down

As you and your team drive to the job site, be sure your vehicle is in good running condition, get plenty of rest and be prepared for any emergency.

Here are some tips from the National Safety Council:

• ●Prepare your vehicle for springtime weather extremes.

• ●Keep an emergency kit with you.

• ●Get a good night’s sleep and avoid drowsy driving.

• ●Leave early and plan ahead for heavy traffic.

• ●Make sure everyone is buckled up.

• ●Put the cell phone away.

• ●Practice defensive driving.

More about phones

Drivers are 23 times more likely to crash when using their cell phone. Odds are, many of your employees and colleagues (and maybe even you) can’t keep their hands and minds off their phones while on the road. In fact:

• ●47 percent of Americans consider themselves “addicted” to their cell phone

• ●People check their phones an average of 344 times each day

• ●One out of every four car accidents is caused by texting and driving.

Telematics programs - which track vehicles - provide insights into your fleet’s driving habits, including phone use, speeding and abrupt braking. To learn more, visit www.federatedinsurance.com.

NJ Contractor’s Disregard for Fall Safety Nets $1M Penalty

A Paterson, New Jersey contractor has again been cited for exposing workers to fall hazards, this time while working at a construction site in Franklin Lakes.

OSHA initiated an inspection of Adrian Construction Group LLC issuing six willful violations for lack of fall protection and failure to ensure the use of eye protection and four serious violations for unsafe scaffolds and failure to provide hard hats for overhead hazards. The company faces a proposed penalty of $1,017,248.

OSHA has inspected Adrian Construction five times since 2016, and in each instance the company was cited for failure to provide workers with fall protection. Adrian, a residential carpentry and framing contractor, was also added to the Severe Violators Enforcement Program.

Step-Up Your Ladder Game

Each spring, the American Ladder Institute faithfully reminds us of the proper care and use of one of construction’s most ubiquitous pieces of equipment.

Ladder misuse results in tens of thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths every year. Whether using a step stool or extension ladder, it’s crucial to follow safety precautions and make sure that ladders are regularly inspected for signs of wear, corrosion and structural failure, especially after any occurrence that could affect their safe use.

Also, defective and damaged ladders must be immediately marked in a manner that readily identifies them as defective/damaged or tagged with a “Do Not Use” tag and removed from service until repaired.

Here’s what to check for during a ladder inspection:

• ●Broken, split, cracked, corroded or missing rungs and side rails.

• ●Cracks, which weaken ladders.

• ●Excessive bends on rungs and rails. Bent areas are weakened and can fail during use.

• ●Loose, corroded or weakened fasteners and hardware.

• ●Missing or damaged feet.

• ●Painted areas must be inspected carefully for hidden damage, and wooden ladders should not be painted or coated with any opaque covering (except for ID or warning labels, which may be placed on one face of a side rail.)

• ●Oil, grease, moisture and other slipping hazards. Clean as necessary.

• ●The capacity label, to make sure the ladder can hold you and everything you’re wearing and carrying.

The American Ladder Institute is the only approved developer of safety standards for the U.S. ladder industry. The institute believes accidents are preventable through planning, training and product innovation. View their training modules at www.laddersafetytraining.org.

OSHA Upgrades to Safety Helmets

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is replacing its employees’ traditional hard hats with more modern safety helmets.

Since the 1960s, traditional hard hats have been the standard, but hard hats offer minimal side impact protection and lack chin straps, so they can fall off a worker’s head in a slip or trip. Traditional hard hats also lack vents and trap heat.

Meanwhile, today’s safety helmets address those deficiencies and may also offer face shields or goggles to protect against projectiles, dust and chemical splashes. Some even offer built-in hearing protection and communication systems.

In a statement, OSHA said it, “wants employers to make safety and health a core value in their workplaces and is committed to doing the same by leading by example and embracing the evolution of head protection.”

 Carpentry

 ACT Ceilings

 Doors/Hardware

 Millwork

 Specialty Construction

PLAs Now Required on Large Gov’t Projects

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Construction projects for the federal government valued at or above $35 million will now require Project Labor Agreements, setting a new precedent for federal construction projects.

This new mandate, called the Federal Acquisition Regulation: Use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for Federal Construction Projects, took effect earlier this year.

“This means that projects funded by my Investing in America agenda will move faster and without delays, giving taxpayers better bang for their buck.” — President Biden

Workers will have the security and peace of mind that collectively bargained wages and benefits bring, better pathways to good-paying jobs, and stronger health and safety protections,” President Biden said in a White House statement.

PLAs, which are unique to the construction industry, are pre-hire collective bargaining agreements typically negotiated between construction unions and contractors in order to establish the terms for construction projects. Some commonplace conditions included in PLAs include provisions binding contractors and subcontractors to the agreement; no-strike, no-lockout clauses; and grievance and arbitration procedures. Also often included are wage and benefit specifications and health and safety requirements.

Federal construction projects can include the maintenance of nuclear sites, base construction, flood projects and more. Based on 2021 figures, the new PLA requirement could affect $262 billion in federal construction contracting.

PLAs help to alleviate the management and coordination challenges that can stall progress on large projects, keeping them on schedule and saving taxpayers’ dollars. Perhaps most importantly, PLAs ensure that highly skilled laborers participate in the projects, as they often stipulate that hiring is done through a union hall.

Additionally, PLAs improve diversity efforts on federal projects, as goals for hiring local community members, equity plans, strategic recruitment policies for workers from underserved communities, and the required participation of small businesses are often part of such agreements, the Department of Labor has reported.

The Pluses of PLAs

By requiring PLAs on large federal construction projects, an estimated 200,000 workers will enjoy collectively bargained wages, benefits, and safety protections.

Project Labor Agreements also:

• Ensure that all parties agree to dispute resolution procedures and mechanisms for labor-management cooperation on matters like safety all but eliminating the risk of costly construction delays associated with labor unrest

• Alleviate coordination issues on large, complex projects, which can present management challenges to the primary contractor, who bring together multiple businesses, sub-contractors and various types of labor.

• Raise the quality standards for contractors bidding on federal projects. Businesses with well-trained workers are more likely to bid for and win federal contracts, and well-trained workers complete projects well and on time.

• Reduce uncertainty in the contracting process. PLAs standardize the work rules, compensation costs, and dispute settlement processes. This standardization helps create more certainty for the government and, therefore, taxpayers, about costs and scheduling.

Unions Urge PLA Legislation for SUNY Campus Projects

Union members from across New York are advocating for state legislators to put stronger binding conditions, including project labor agreements, on SUNY projects valued at $3 million or more.

Proposed legislation would require a PLA on SUNY-funded projects and ensure New York companies - and New Yorkers - land this work.

“When New York taxpayer funds are used on a project, that investment should go back into New York communities,” said Bill Banfield, Assistant Executive, Secretary-Treasurer, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.

“A project labor agreement protects taxpayers by ensuring a project is built on budget and on schedule – by and for New Yorkers. By requiring a PLA on large scale SUNY construction projects, Albany can restore accountability and bring effective labor standards to the public university procurement process.”

Union leaders point out that their members — including carpenters, laborers, painters, insulators, sheet metal workers, bricklayers and steamfitters – helped build SUNY’s state-of-the-art campus system. They built and maintained the facilities, earned degrees on SUNY campuses and paid tuition to send their children to SUNY colleges and universities.

SUNY’s current procurement system uses taxpayer dollars to subsidize development on campus but

frequently awards contracts to out-of-state companies, some with records of wage theft, worker misclassification, health and safety violations and more. Making matters worse, these contractors also bring out-of-state workers with them, effectively barring New Yorkers from working on projects in their own backyards.

SUNY is the nation’s largest comprehensive public university system and boasts 64 schools, a mix of 29 state-operated campuses - including, in the Hudson Valley, Albany and New Paltz - five statutory colleges and 30 community colleges.

In January, SUNY New Paltz unveiled the $38 million renovation of Awosting Hall, which included the addition of a fourth floor and sustainability enhancements. Awosting is among five residence halls to receive a full gut renovation in recent years. Also complete are Ashokan, Shawangunk and Minnewaska halls, with Mohonk Hall undergoing renovations next and marking the completion of the initiative. In total, there are 14 residence halls on the New Paltz campus.

Senate Bill S6050 (2023-2024 Legislative Session) “Relates to requiring the use of project labor agreements for large scale construction projects under the state university construction fund.” Learn more and follow the bill’s progress at www.nysenate.gov.

Dialing Down on Workplace Cell Phone Use

By Robin Seidman

Robin specializes in general HR policy and procedures. rseidman@ccahv.com

We’ve all been there.

Standing at a counter, waiting for the customer service rep to get off the cell phone and take care of your business. Walking down a street and almost being knocked over by someone talking on their cell. Driving down the highway behind the car going 45 mph in the passing lane because the driver is texting.

Cell phones have become an integral part of our lives and we can no longer imagine leaving home without one. The cell is a phone, a camera, a watch, a calendar, a laptop, and more all wrapped up in one relatively compact device.

It is also the 800 lb. gorilla in the room when that room is your office, your workplace.

According to surveys, an average employee spends roughly 2.5 hours each day on their personal cell phone for non-business-related matters. Actual phone calls are just a small part of the usage. The employee is texting, reading personal email, shopping, playing games and checking out websites. That’s more than 10 hours a week of unproductivity that surely is impacting business.

Not only is it unproductive, it can be dangerous. Countless accidents occur when employees are distracted by their phones, whether it is tripping or falling while walking and texting or car accidents caused by the same distraction. Just the few seconds it takes to look when the phone lights up forces the employee’s attention away from what they were doing.

There is also cyber security risk if an employee is on the company Wi-Fi and visiting unsecured sites or clicking on attachments, which can wreak havoc on the business’s computer network. Many times, an employee will use their personal cell to circumvent restrictions placed on business computers for accessing certain sites.

Mobile phones issued by the company for employees to conduct company business have the same risks but are more easily managed by monitoring usage and putting restrictions on the device. That is not the case with personal phones.

So what is a business to do?

Banning personal cell phones is probably not the smartest move since that creates too much anxiety for employees, thus impacting productivity as well. Ditto to having everyone place their phone in a basket until it is their break time.

Using a collaborative approach might be a better move.

First, a cell phone policy is a must and can be incorporated into a document that addresses all electronic devices, such as tablets and laptops. The policy should address personal cells as well as company-issued phones, if applicable.

That policy should clearly state:

• The company’s stance on when the cell can be used, such as lunchtime or breaks

• Under what circumstances a call is otherwise allowed, i.e. emergency, children or family calling

• Whether the phone needs to be on silent or turned off during working hours

If the employee must take a call, are they required to step away from other employees so as not to distract them?

The policy should also address whether the business Wi-Fi can be used – a risky practice for sure.

The policy should state the possible consequences or disciplinary actions for non-adherence. Perhaps a verbal warning would be issued for a first offense, a written warning for a second or third offense and a final warning as a last resort.

Enforcement is key otherwise the policy is worthless. Make sure to document all violations and warnings with employee signoff on the documentation.

A good idea to introduce a new cell phone policy or reinforce an existing policy is at a company meeting. After clearly outlining the company’s expectations, expect some pushback or animated discussion. Remember, most people view their phone as an extension of themselves and placing restrictions can cause strong reactions. Remind everyone that the business phone number should be given to family trying to reach the employee for an emergency.

Be prepared to make some concessions if needed to maintain office harmony. A possible concession might be to offer a 10-minute break every couple of hours to use the break room to respond to calls and texts and check emails. Allowing 20-30 minutes a day for cell phone breaks can ease employee anxiety about their missed calls and messages and hopefully keep them focused on their work tasks. It also gives them the opportunity to take care of home matters, doctor’s appointments, and whatever urgent issues arise.

Keep in mind that many smartwatches act as phones, email and text devices as well. Make the distinction that using a smartwatch falls into the same category as the cell phone.

The business owner walks a fine line in keeping employees satisfied with their job, staying focused on their duties and maintaining a productive and happy workplace environment. Managing the team’s expectations regarding personal cell phone usage is a step in the right direction.

New York Cracks Down on Illegal Cannabis Shops

New York is stepping up efforts to shut down unlicensed cannabis businesses, which have openly operated throughout the state, creating nuisances in communities and often selling untested product of unknown origin.

The newest measures include expanding the powers of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to streamline padlocking of illicit shops, authorizing local governments to execute OCM padlock orders to quickly close unlicensed dispensaries, and establishing local registries of licensed businesses.

“When New Yorkers choose to shop at a legal, adult-use dispensary, they know where their products are coming from, that these cannabis products have been tested, and that these small businesses are reinvesting in our communities,” said New York State Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander. “We have to be abundantly clear about what kind of market we are building.”

Local governments are also empowered to seek closure orders from the State Supreme Court, sue landlords who fail to evict commercial tenants selling cannabis without a license, and arrest and prosecute business owners selling cannabis in stores without a license. Fines for

illegal sale start at $10,000 per day and can increase to $20,000 per day for “egregious conduct.”

The state is building a robust legal cannabis market which includes dispensaries and large facilities for growing, processing and packaging. Building those facilities has already generated construction work for local union workers, and the legalized market has the potential to generate millions of dollars in revenue. Meanwhile, unlicensed sellers have complicated the efforts and in the Hudson Valley, economic development leadersalong with licensed companies like PharmaCann, with a sprawling facility in Hamptonburgh, and Cresco Labs, under construction in Ellenville - have long pressed for more robust crackdown.

“As we continue to build and expand the most equitable legal cannabis market in the nation, we cannot let the brazen, illegal operators undermine public health and threaten our neighborhoods,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a news release. “Last year, we passed new laws to padlock and shut down illegal operators, but we know there’s more to be done and we need more tools to do it.”

- By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Beware Deepfakes, Social Engineering as Cybercrime Trends

By Karen Webber, Partner

Bonadio Group

I recently asked my LinkedIn followers about their fraud predictions, and 82 percent of responders predicted a rise in deepfakes. The rest were split between social engineering and earnings manipulation.

Here’s what you need to know about each of these schemes:

DEEPFAKES

What is a deepfake? Chances are you’ve already seen one. Deepfakes are images and videos generated by artificial intelligence (AI) but used maliciously for harassment and extortion. In fact, the FBI released a PSA warning individuals – especially parents of young children – about the risks of posting photos and videos online and the potential for being targeted by malicious actors out to damage reputations or extort victims by manipulating the images to look like a subject was saying or doing something explicit or controversial.

Reputational losses to celebrities and major brands could be huge if a deepfake were circulated in the media.

SOCIAL ENGINEERING

Social engineering is a significant risk to both organizations and individuals. In a social engineering attack,

fraudsters use emotional manipulation techniques – often buffered by publicly available information – to compel the victim to turn over sensitive information like passwords and account data.

In a business, this might look like a fraudster posing as the CEO via email and asking employees to “help her” access secure data by sharing login credentials, known as phishing. For a grandparent, this might look like a caller posing as a grandson needing a quick funds transfer to “get out of trouble.” This is known as a grandparent scam.

EARNINGS MANIPULATION

Earnings manipulation is a fraud tale as old as time, and increased pressures like economic uncertainty and a thinly stretched labor force may push executives to overstate performance to keep customers, shareholders, and employees calm or to negotiate higher compensation falsely.

The

What other risks are Bonadio practitioners currently considering?

FASTER PAYMENTS

If you have not heard of FedNow, you will. It is the U.S. government’s response to a regulated “faster payment” or “instant clearing” system for financial institutions that was deployed in 2023. Gone are the days of three-day waiting periods for deposits of checks; funds are available immediately for participating institutions. While the idea seems great for the consumer, fraud protections available over slower payments—like making a stop-payment on a check waiting to clear—don’t exist. The instant the money is transferred, it can’t be retracted.

Not all financial institutions are participating—the FedNow system is still very much in its infancy. The U.S. is behind the United Kingdom and India, which have been operating with similar systems for years, so we already know that just because a centralized government runs the system doesn’t mean it’s without risk. Indeed, in the U.K., 97 percent of payment app fraud occurs on their Faster Payments System.

FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION

There’s no denying our population is aging. Mandatory retirement ages are being extended here in the U.S. and homes in rural Japan and Italy are increasingly empty because deaths of older residents outpace new residents. The United Nations predicts that the older adult population will double by 2050.

Meanwhile, older adults are at increased risk of fraud, not only by strangers but of financial exploitation by trusted

people in their lives. Last year may have marked the official end of the COVID-19 pandemic states of emergency, but not the end of inflation that came with it.

As the family dollar is stretched thinner and thinner, potential fraudsters may feel pressure to take money from the one place they know has a recurring income and a nest egg – mom, dad, grandma or grandpa.

COVID RELIEF EXPOSURE

In September 2023, the IRS put a halt on all claims for its Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC) because of the meteoric rise in applications out of “ERC mills,” or pop-up businesses that process these claims for a share of the proceeds. Most CPA firms, Bonadio included, assisted clients with claims for a flat fee, not contingent on the size of the credit claimed.

The IRS crackdown predicted doesn’t only put these pop-up firms at risk. Business owners who signed the amended returns to make the fraudulent ERC application will also be on the hook.

The use of Payroll Protection Program (PPP) funds is also increasingly under scrutiny. Some nonprofit boards are just beginning to discover that the funds they received were not ultimately used for the purposes for which they were approved. We are including a review of the use of these funds in our standard fraud investigations.

Karen Webber is at the Bonadio Group and is responsible for growing Bonadio’s fraud and forensic services and solutions practice, bringing 14 years of experience in financial exploitation investigations, divorce consulting and estate litigation support.

White Plains, Montgomery, Highland Falls Snag Millions for Downtown Upgrades

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

White Plains will receive $10 million in funding as the Mid-Hudson Region winner of the seventh round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, while Highland Falls and Montgomery—this year’s Mid-Hudson Region NY Forward winners—will each receive $4.5 million.

For Round 7 of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, each of the state’s 10 economic development regions are being awarded $10 million, to make for a total state commitment of $100 million in funding and investments to help communities transform fading downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

“Local communities’ downtowns are part of what makes New York State vibrant and great,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “Helping uplift the areas around the Hudson River will drive tourists in and make residents excited about where they live.”

With a commitment last year of $100 million each for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward, New York has now invested a combined total of $1 billion.

White Plains, Montgomery, Highland Falls Snag Millions for Downtown Upgrades

White Plains’ successful DRI application focused on the city’s walkable core, which is home to multi-family developments, the soon-to-be-redeveloped Galleria and City Center shopping malls, a thriving restaurant row and a busy Metro North train station. Projects there will focus on green affordable housing, community gathering spaces, safe and accessible pedestrian and bike infrastructure and interconnectivity between downtown and an adjacent low-moderate income neighborhood.

White Plains joins Middletown, Kingston, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Haverstraw, Ossining and Port Jervis, the $10 million Mid-Hudson winners in the first six rounds of the DRI.

Meanwhile, the Village of Highland Falls will use its $4.5 million NY Forward grant to build on prior downtown improvements, particularly those that support its 2020 Local Waterfront Revitalization Strategy. Projects include improvements to traffic flow and safety, main street façade renovations, branding, marketing and expanded waterfront access.

“Highland Falls is a beautiful, historic village with wonderful local business and restaurants, incredible people, and a beautiful view of the Hudson River,” State Senator James Skoufis said. “It is also a place that has

faced adversity recently and will truly benefit from the momentum and support that will come with the NY Forward grant.”

The Village of Montgomery’s will use its $4.5 million to improve connectivity among its parks, upgrade streetscape safety and walkability, preserve historic structures, and improve wayfinding, signage and branding.

“As the former Supervisor of the Town of Montgomery I had the honor of working with countless local stakeholders to build on the great work being done in the Town and Village of Montgomery,” said Assemblymember Brian Maher. “Being able to support this application as a member of the State Assembly and advocating for this funding has been a long and arduous effort.”

NY Forward communities are supported by a professional planning consultant and team of state agency experts. NY Forward projects are scaled to the size of each community and may include building renovation and redevelopment, new or improved public spaces and projects that enhance cultural and historical qualities that distinguish the small-town charm that defines the municipality.

Sleepy Hollow and Cornwall/Cornwall-on-Hudson were Mid-Hudson winners in the first round of NY Forward.

About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) was created to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all 10 regions of the state. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI couples strategic planning with immediate implementation in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York rebuild its economy, especially as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Another goal is to help the state achieve its climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.

In the first six years of the program, the state committed $700 million in 69 downtowns that show the potential to become magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation and greater economic and housing diversity and opportunity. Participating communities are nominated by the state’s 10 Regional Economic Development Councils based on the downtown’s potential for transformation. Communities are awarded $10 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement projects that advance revitalization and leverage additional private and public investments.

Falling Interest Rates

Bode Well for Contractors, Developers

Michael Coulter EVP, Chief Lending Officer Orange Bank & Trust Company

For most companies here in the Hudson Valley and across the U.S., the last few years have proved to be anything but business as usual. We witnessed rampant inflation, interest rates soaring to levels unseen in more than two decades, labor shortages, supply-chain disruptions, and an office market upended as “remote” changed the workplace dynamic and reduced the need for physical space.

Amid all the changes, however, one thing remained constant – the Hudson Valley business community’s commitment to stay the course. Once again, our innovative contractors,

developers and other members of the commercial real estate sector set the foundation for successfully navigating an evolving landscape.

An Improving Financial Outlook

Construction in general has been slower this year, simply because it’s very expensive to build. Borrowing costs have nearly doubled in the past two years: for loan transactions that are prime based, you have the prime rate plus 1 percent, or 1.5 percent, so a construction loan is costing borrowers 9.5 percent or 10 percent today versus 5 percent or 5.5 percent. We are still seeing lending restrictions from some banks, all at a time when the costs of labor and materials are rising. All of this is prompting more scrutiny from investors viewing potential projects.

The good news is, we have seen a drop in inflation – hovering around 3 percent – which will likely get closer to 2 percent by mid-summer. This bodes well for interest rates. The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates by summer, and we expect at least two more rate cuts this year. That will immediately bring down the cost of construction finance, and contractors will see the benefit of the reduced rates.

Growth on the Horizon

As we move into the second half of 2024, it is important to stay ahead of the curve by leveraging trends and making informed decisions. While New York City continues to suffer from a glut of office space, the Hudson Valley is seeing opportunities in the commercial market, particularly with warehouse distribution, multifamily construction and mixed-use properties comprising commercial and residential space.

In terms of financing, expect increased scrutiny from lenders and investors based upon the regulatory environment and the volatility in the banking sector over the last year and a half. The bottom line is, do your due diligence and consider these factors when evaluating potential projects: the market, competition and cost of return on investment.

• Conduct a market analysis. With multifamily projects, for example, look at the competition and whether there’s saturation in the market. See where the rents are today and where they’re projected to go, to ensure the project is viable from a cost standpoint and a return to the investors.

• Research the property. Consider the potential risks and “what-ifs,” and think about strategies to manage them. Identify any red flags and know when to walk away.

• Outline your objectives. What are your financial projections for the project?

It’s more expensive to build now, so the return has to be higher than what you might have expected. Do you have

the wherewithal to support a project that may take longer to complete than in previous years? Once the project is completed, what are the benefits to initiate the rate of return to both you, the owner, and to potential investors?

It’s important that your lender knows your market and is in tune with changing conditions. Companies do have hiccups on occasion, there are cycles to businesses, and contractors and developers face their own unique set of challenges. We know because Orange Bank & Trust has been collaborating with the local business community for more than 132 years, from small-business owners, electricians and painters, to home-builders and developers of high-rise hotels and office buildings.

The Hudson Valley is poised for economic growth. There may be more challenges to come, so it’s key to stay ahead of the trends, leverage the right financing options, and exercise due diligence to position your company for success in 2024 and beyond.

Building a Better World

CCA members are among the kindest, most generous people around. Here, we celebrate their good deeds:

Local 825 Rolls Up Their Sleeves

Thank you to all the members of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers who donated blood March 13 at the New Hampton Training Center. In all, 53 units of blood were collected at the New Hampton Training Center. Great job everyone!

Retainage Law sets 5 Percent Cap

With New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature finally on Senate Bill S3539/Assembly Bill 4167, the amount of retainage that can be held on private construction projects is now capped at 5 percent.

The new law amends the state’s General Business Law so that no more than 5 percent of the contract sum can be withheld from a contractor or subcontractor on projects of $150,000 or more. Previously, project owners, contractors, and subcontractors could agree to withhold “a reasonable amount” of retainage.

The new law also allows contractors to submit invoices for final payment as soon as the contractor reaches “substantial completion.” Previously, contractors had to wait until they completed all contract obligations before a final invoice could be submitted.

Project owners still have until 30 days after the final approval of the work under the construction contract to release the retainage. But if the

owner fails to release retainage as required - or the contractor or subcontractors fail to release retainage to downstream parties — the owner, contractor, or subcontractor are liable for interest at the rate of 1 percent per month from the retainage due date.

The new provisions apply to contracts executed on or after Nov. 17, 2023.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Neil Breslin, a Democrat first elected in 1996. Breslin, who represents parts of Albany, Schenectady and the surrounding region, is the longest-tenured member of the state Senate. He has announced that he is not seeking re-election.

The bill enjoyed the support of both contractors and project owners; the 5 percent retainage frees-up cash flow for contractors and subcontractors, and the ability to submit final invoices at substantial completion should mean shorter wait times for payment.

Retainage Law: A Closer Look

The Provisions

Section One

Amends section 756-a of the general business law to require that the release of retainage from the contractor is conditional upon the achievement of the substantial completion terms described in the contract.

Section Two

Amends section 756-c of the general business law to limit the amount of retainage to a maximum of 5 percent of the contract sum and establish a maximum release period for retainage of 30 days after the final approval.

The Why

Under the previous law governing private construction jobs, subcontractors were subject to long waiting times, as long as a year after the completion of a construction project, to receive retainage payments. That lack of clarity resulted in avoidable disputes, which in turn prolonged the release of retainage payments. This ambiguity creates economic burdens for contractors and subcontractors.

The new provisions revise the procedures for contract payment of retainage for owners, contractors, and subcontractors, and establish deadlines for the completion of all remaining items by the contractor and subcontractor.

Within 45 days, the private owner shall submit to the contractor a written list specifying all items remaining to be completed by the contractor as stipulated in the contract. The contractor is required to provide to each subcontractor a written list of all remaining items to be performed by the subcontractor no later than five business days. Mandating that substantial completion on private construction projects be specified in the contract and reforming the contract payment process of retainage will reduce disputes and delays.

Students Flex Skills at CTEC Competition

Nineteen Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education students earned medals at the Area IV SkillsUSA Regional Competition held recently at the Amy Bull Crist Campus in Goshen and are headed to the state-wide SkillsUSA competition, held April 24-26 in Syracuse.

Nearly 300 Hudson Valley high school students showcased their career-launching talents in 38 events - ranging from advertising design to heavy equipment to welding - at the Goshen competition.

Orange-Ulster medal winners in the construction trades include: Carpentry

• First Place: Benjamin Doyle, Pine Bush Central School District

• Second Place: Sebastian Rubio, Valley Central School District

• Third Place: Luis Cruz, Pine Bush Central School District

Welding

• First Place: Ryan Jaloszynski, Pine Bush Central School District

Heavy Equipment

• Second Place: Anthony Ciaglia, Marlboro Central School District

• Third Place: Devon Waage, Marlboro Central School District

Carpentry judges included executive board members to Carpenters Local 279 Ted Fotopoulos and Kaycee McGovern; Rockland County BOCES instructor

Frank DaToma; Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and Local 279 President Matt Ross.

SkillsUSA is a nonprofit organization that creates a partnership between students, teachers and industry workers to create and sustain a skilled workforce. Through career and technical education programs, events and competitions, students are empowered to become world-class workers, leaders and citizens.

SkillsUSA Week is celebrated each February, when the regional competitions are held. The National Championships are scheduled for June 24-28 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta and typically feature 6,000 state champions competing in 115 skill and leadership categories.

Hat Tips!

The CCA congratulates our friends and colleagues on their achievements and recognitions.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to longtime CCA member E-J Electric Installation, Co, which this year celebrates its 125th anniversary.

E-J Electric was founded three generations ago in 1899 by Jack Enright and Theordore Joseph in New York City has grown into a premier full service electrical and communication contractor in the Metropolitan New York region. Some of their recent projects include Yankee Stadium, the United Nations Security Strengthening Project, and the Astoria Energy and NYPA Poletti Power Plants.

Orange County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO

Heather Bell-Meyer has been elected Chair-Elect of the Chamber Alliance of New York State (CANYS).

Bell-Meyer’s exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing the interests of businesses and communities have earned her this prestigious role within the Chamber Alliance. Her vision and strategic advocacy will undoubtedly bolster the collective strength of chambers statewide.

“Heather’s passion for chambers is effusive, her experience extensive and I’m confident our association will continue to

Derrik Wynkoop, president and CEO of Walden Savings Bank, is this 2024 recipient of the annual Ottaway Medal, an award that recognizes outstanding commitment to leadership and service.

The award is named for Ruth and James Ottaway, beloved quality-of-life advocates. Wynkoop will receive the honor

grow with her involvement,” said CANYS Executive Director Peter Aust.

Bell-Meyer brings more than 10 years of experience working with chambers of commerce, economic development initiatives and advocacy throughout Orange County. She is a fierce advocate for the greater business community.

“I am delighted to align my passion with CANYS, working towards the organization’s growth and, ultimately, enhancing business representation in New York State,” she said.

The Chamber Alliance of NYC is dedicated to providing members with education and insight into the latest trends and issues facing chambers, member businesses and communities.

at the Ottaway Medal dinner, to be held May 2 at The Barn at Villa Venezia, Middletown.

Walden Savings Bank celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022 and is often recognized for its extensive community involvement, an example set under Wynkoop’s leadership. “His level of enthusiasm, engagement, and commitment to each of the causes he is involved with is truly representative of everything that Ruth and James Ottaway stood for,” event organizers say.

Our Member Directory

CCA members are the very best contractors, suppliers and service providers in the Hudson Valley and Catskills. For detailed information about their services and specialities, visit our online directory at www.CCAHV.com.

CONTRACTORS

Construction Management | General Contracting

Andron Construction Corp.

914-232-7531

21 Anderson Ln, Goldens Bridge, NY 10526

Joel Foley jfoley@androncc.com androncc.com

Barone Construction 845-691-2244

23 New Paltz Rd, Highland, NY 12528

Joe Barone joseph.barone@bcgcmgc.com Bcgcmgc.com

Con-Tech Construction Technology, Inc.

914-455-3100

1961 Route 6, Suite R-3, Box 12 Carmel, NY 10512

Antoinetta Carino amcarino@contechconstruct.com contechconstructiontechnology.com

Darlind Associates, Inc.

845-223-5115

1540 Route 55, P.O. 130 LaGrangeville, NY 12540

Justin Darrow j.darrow@darlindassociates.com darlindconstruction.com

Ferrari & Sons, Inc.

845-452-0387

195 Van Wagner Rd Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Anthony Ferrari tony@ferrariandsonsinc.com ferrariandsonsinc.com

Helmer Cronin Construction, Inc. 845-942-1330

27 NY-210, Stony Point, NY 10980

Bill Helmer wfhelmer@helmercronin.com helmercronin.com

Holt Construction Corp. 845-735-4054

50 East Washington Ave Pearl River, NY 10965

Dan Depew ddepew@holtcc.com holtcc.com

Key Construction Services 845-454-1192

4246 Albany Post Rd, Suite 1 Hyde Park, NY 12538

Alfred Torreggiani adt@contactkcs.com keyconstructionservices.com

LeChase Construction 914-741-1212

1 Labriola Ct, Armonk, NY 10504

David Campbell david.campbell@lechase.com lechase.com

Paramount Building Construction 845-569-0970

28 Windsor Hwy, New Windsor, NY 12553

Joe Perez jperez@pbcinc.co pbcinc.co

Pike Co. 800-264-7453

1 Circle St, Rochester, NY 14607

Edward Kurowski kuroe@pikecos.com pikecos.com

Profex, Inc. 845-565-8845

264 North Plank Rd, Newburgh, NY 12550 Roland Bloomer rbloomer@profexinc.net profexinc.net

TDX Construction Corporation 212-279-1981

3 Manhattanville Rd, Suite 104 Purchase, NY 10577

Joe Fitzpatrick jfitzpatrick@tdxconstruction.com tdxconstruction.com

U.W. Marx 518-272-2541

20 Gurley Ave, Troy, NY 12182

Peter Marx pmarx@uwmarx.com Uwmarx.com

Acoustical | Carpentry | Drywall

O’Kane Enterprises, Ltd

845-271-3445

55 W. Railroad Ave, Bldg 24C, First Floor Garnerville, NY 10923

Dan O’Kane dano@okaneenterprises.com okaneenterprises.com

Penlyn Construction Corporation 845-268-5445

10 Burnside Ave, Congers, NY 10920

Scott Dianis scott@penlynconstruction.com penlynconstruction.com

Schumacher Systems, Inc. 845-887-5381

1043 County Rd 164, Callicoon, NY 12723

Kori Allen kallen@schumachersystems.com schumachersystem.com

Tri-State Drywall and Acoustical 845-856-8400

183 Jersey Ave, Port Jervis, NY 12771

Charlotte Van Horn cvanhorn@tristatedrywall.net tsdainc.com

Concrete

Darlind Associates, Inc. 845-223-5115

1540 Route 55, PO Box 130 LaGrangeville, NY 12540

Justin Darrow j.darrow@darlindassociates.com darlindconstruction.com

KCM Contracting Inc. 914-963-0390

1 Executive Blvd., Suite 410 Yonkers, NY 10701

Roxanne Guerrerio rguerrerio@kcmcontractinginc.com kcmcontracting.com

PCC Contracting, Inc. 800-328-7816

1861 Chrisler Ave., Schenectady, NY 12303

Michael Lock mlock@pcccontracting.com pcccontracting.com

Ringler Construction, LLC 914-837-7400

PO Box 573, Fishkill NY 12524

Brad Ringler ringlerconstruction@gmail.com

Sullivan Construction Group, LLC 845-640-2200

21 Allen Lane, Bloomingburg, NY 12721

Anthony Perrello anthony@sullivancg.com sullivancg.com

Demolition | Asbestos Abatement

Beam Enterprises, Inc.

914-617-7699

3 Contorino Way, Bldg #2 Chester, NY 10918

Mike Adams mike@beamenterprisesinc.com

Taylor-Montgomery, LLC

845-457-4021

350 Neelytown Rd Montgomery, NY 12549

Hans Taylor hans.taylor@taylor-montgomery.com Taylor-Montgomery.com

Electrical

All Bright Electric

845-358-1200

100 Snake Hill Rd West Nyack, NY 10994

Howard Hellman hhellman@allbrightelectric.com allbrightelectric.com

E-J Electric Installation Co. 845-234-4280

5 Jeanne Dr Newburgh, NY 12550

Brendon Bergin bbergin@ej1899.com ej1899.com

Perreca Electric 845-562-4080

520 Broadway Newburgh, NY 12550

Kurt Kaehler kkaehler@perreca.com perreca.com

Ray S. Pantel, Inc.

845-343-7250 71-73 Wisner Ave Middletown, NY 10940

Ray Pantel ray@rayspantel.com

Tri Co Electric of Goshen 845-294-8882

114 Hartley Rd, Goshen, NY 10924

Ann Kata ann@tamenterprises.com tamenterprises.com

Upstate Electric

845-565-2026

501 Temple Hill Rd New Windsor, NY 12553

Rich Schwarzbeck rich@upstateelectricny.com upstateelectricny.com

Fire Protection | Insulation

Black Hawk Fire Suppression, LLC 845-590-5792

163 Brookside Farms Rd, Suite 109 Newburgh, NY 12550

Ralph Diaz r.diaz@blackhawkfiresuppression.com

DeBrino Caulking Associates 518-732-7234

1304 Route 9 Castleton, NY 12033

Lewis P. Houghtaling lhoughtalingiii@debrino.com debrino.com

Insulation Pro Inc.

845-629-4643

192 Plains Rd Walden, NY 12586

Dominick DiViesti insulationprony@gmail.com insulationprony.com

Sullivan Fire Protection Corp. 845-434-4030

16 Railroad Plaza, P.O. Box 2021 South Fallsburg, NY 12779

Ira Gold sullivanfireira@gmail.com

United Spray LLC 845-829-2688

3 Contorino Way, Bldg #1 Chester, NY 10918

Zack Adams zadams@unitedspray.com unitedspray.com

Glass & Architectural Aluminum

Basec Corp. 845-795-1011

1978 Route 9W, Milton, NY 12547

Emanuel Cauchi estimating@BasecCorp.com

HVAC | Plumbing

ABM Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.

914-747-0910

11 W. Cross St, PO Box 204 Hawthorne, NY 10532

William Haskel bhaskel@abmhvac.com abmhvac.com

AMX Contracting Corp.

914-741-2600

101 Castleton St, Pleasantville, NY 10570

Anthony DiGuglielmo atd@amxcooling.com amxcooling.com

Carey & Walsh 914-762-9600

529 North State Rd Briarcliff Manor, NY 10501

Don Carey dcarey@careyandwalsh.com Careyandwalsh.com

Clean Air Quality Service, Inc. 914-769-7700

161 Brady Ave, Hawthorne, NY 10532

Lou Doro ldoro@caqs.com caqs.com

D.L. Flow Tech 845-265-2828

2421 Route 52 Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

Dennis LaVopa dmlavopa@dlflowtech.com dlflowtech.com

EMF Technical Services, Inc. 914-747-1007

581 North State Rd, Unit 6 Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510

Walter E. Greenwood info@emfcontrols.com emfcontrols.com

J & M Heating & AC, Inc. 914-632-4433

395 Adams St Bedford Hills, NY 10507

James Woodward office@jmhvac.com jmhvac.com

MDS HVAC-R, Inc. 845-713-4598

192 Plains Rd Walden, NY 12586

Dominic DiViesti domdiviesti@gmail.com

Petro Plumbing & Heating 845-561-3340

2989 Route 9W New Windsor, NY 12553

Rich Bremer rich@petro-plumbing.com petro-plumbing.com

Robison 914-345-5700

One Gateway Plaza, 4th Floor

Port Chester, NY 10573

Daniel Singer executiveoffice@robisonoil.com robisonoil.com

Taconic Heating & Cooling 914-348-4751

9 Dogwood Rd

Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567

James D’Annibale jim@taconichvac.com taconichvac.us

Heavy Highway | Site

Argenio Brothers, Inc.

845-561-5102

2 Argenio Dr

New Windsor, NY 12553

Jerry Argenio ja@argeniobros.com argeniobros.com

Butler Construction

845-769-7413

275 Union St Montgomery, NY 12549

Eric Butler ebutler@butlerconstructiongroup.com butlerconstructiongroup.com

Callanan Industries

518-374-2222

8 Southwoods Blvd Albany, NY 12211

Michael Mastropietro mmastropietro@callanan.com callanan.com

D.A. Collins Construction 518-664-9855

269 Ballard Rd Wilton, NY 12831

Aaron Tubbs dacestimating@dacollins.com dacollinscompanies.com

Petillo New York, LLC 845-610-9010

90 Crystal Run Rd, Suite 400 Middletown, NY 10941

Michael Petillo mpetillo@petillo.com petillo.com

Masonry

B. Miller Masonry, Inc.

845-769-7233

275 Union St, Montgomery, NY 12549

Bill Miller billmiller@bmillermasonry.com

Casler Masonry, Inc. 315-253-8871

2080 Cranebrook Dr, Auburn, NY 13021

Michael F. Casler mcasler@caslermasonry.com caslermasonry.com

James McGowan & Son Masonry 845-339-0329

5 Railroad Ave, Kingston, NY 12402

James McGowan jim@mcgowanmasonry.com mcgowanmasonry.com

PCC Contracting, Inc.

800-328-7816

1861 Chrisler Ave Schenectady, NY 12303

Michael Lock mlock@pcccontracting.com pcccontracting.com

Mechanical

Armistead Mechanical, Inc. -Newburgh Office 845-566-0770

324 North Plank Rd Newburgh, NY 12550

Joseph Jerkowski jjerkowski@armistead-ny.com Armisteadmechanical.com

Dynamic Systems

845-454-0600

417 Manchester Rd Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Adam Weisburgh aweisburgh@cbstrain.com dsi.us

Hauser Brothers 845-359-1881

17 Old School Ln Orangeburg, NY 10962

Tim Hauser thauser@hauserbros.com hauserbros.com

F&F Mechanical 203-239-7025

2 Dwight St New Haven, CT 06473

John Ferrucci jferrucci@ffmechanical.com ffmechanical.com

Turner Mechanical Service 203-544-8936

724 Danbury Rd, Suite 3 Ridgefield, CT 06877

John Turner jturner@turnermechanical.com turnermechanicalservicesinc.com

Painting | Special Coating

Pittman & Brown 845-561-1695

227 South Plank Rd Newburgh, NY 12550

Jay Harrison pittbrown58@aol.com

Rover Contracting

845-834-2620

251 Upper North Rd Highland, NY 12528

Victoria Bellos v.bellos@rovercontracting.com rovercontractinginc.com

Sheet Metal | Roofing

Barrett Sheet Metal Inc.

203-744-2780

106 Mill Plain Rd

Danbury, CT 06811

John Lucchesi

johnjr@barrettroofing.com barrettroofing.com

Custom Exterior Systems

845-753-8070

12 Orange Turnpike Sloatsburg, NY 10974

Leonard Train l.train@customexteriorsystems.com customexteriorsystems.com

Ductmate Industries

724-258-0500

210 Fifth St Charleroi, PA 15022

John Sorna jsorna@ductmate.com ductmate.com

Harden Sheet Metal 845-562-6553

27 Johnes St Newburgh, NY 12550

Dan Harden hardensheetmetal@hotmail.com

H.T. Lyons Inc. 845-896-1145

167 Meyers Corners Rd, Suite 102 Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

Mark DiPasquale mark.dipasquale@ht.lyons.com htlyons.com

KB Duct a Division of CECO Environmental 203-804-7631

8735 W Market St Greensboro, NC 27409

Curt Corum ccorum@onececo.com cecovent.com/ceco-kb-duc

Link Metal Finishing Corp. 914-737-9160

2068 Albany Post Rd Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520

Ron Lacerte rrlink1@aol.com

RKB Sheet Metal 845-382-2010

15 Anaconda Dr Lake Katrine, NY 12449

Richard K. Berg rberg@rkbsheetmetal.com

The YMI Group, Inc. 845-330-4200

2014 Route 9W, Milton NY 12547

Al Youna ayouna@theymigroup.com theYMIgroup.com

Steel Fabricators | Erectors | Rebar

Allbar Steel

845-778-0126

301 East Searsville Rd Montgomery, NY 12549

Bernie Hillman allbarstl@aol.com

E-Gill Rebar, LLC

914-213-0723

4 Hamilton Rd Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

Jack Diedrich jack@e-gillrebar.com e-gillrebar.com

Orange County Ironworks, LLC

845-769-3000

36 Maybrook Rd Montgomery, NY 12549

Dan Teutel dant@ocillc.com ocillc.com

SUPPLIERS

Aggregate | Erosion Control Materials

Aden Aggregates

845-990-7625

PO Box 217 Montgomery, NY 12549

Reilly Carney rcarney@adenaggregate.com adenaggregate.com

Eastern Construction Materials

845-705-4396 PO Box 924

Poughkeepsie, New York 12601

Kelly Libolt kelly@easternconstructionmaterials.com easternconstructionmaterials.com

Equipment Rentals

A-Verdi Storage Containers 315-365-2851 14150 State Route 31 Savannah, NY , 13146

Joe Verdi joe@averdi.com averdi.com

Bay Crane 718-392-0800 11-02 43rd Ave

Long Island City, NY 11101

Joseph Sadden jsadden@baycrane.com baycrane.com

Burt Crane & Rigging 518-271-6858

5 Veterans Memorial Dr Green Island, NY 12183

Bridget A. Hubal bhubal@burtcrane.com burtcrane.com

Durante Rentals

914-690-6969

145 Huguenot St, Suite 406 New Rochelle, NY 10801

Bobby J. John bjohn@duranterentals.com duranterentals.com

Olori Crane Service, Inc. 845-623-1267

11 Seeger Dr Nanuet, NY 10954

Ron Olori

rolorijr@oloricrane.com oloricrane.com

Partner Rentals

877-740-7368

711 East Chester Ave Kingston, NY 12401

Hernan del Aguila hernan.delaguila@partnerrentals.com partnerrentals.com

Service Scaffold Company, Inc.

845-513-5326

29 Railroad Plaza, PO Box 888 South Fallsburg, NY 12779

Josh Ingber josh@servicescaffold.com servicescaffold.com

United Rentals

833-211-6885

5311 Route 9W Newburgh, NY 12550

Eric Crane ecrane@ur.com unitedrentals..com

Electrical Supplies

D & G Electrical Supply Co., Inc

845-947-2626

62 Railroad Ave. West Garnerville, NY 10923

J. William Grabe

bill@dandgelectricalsupply.com dandgelectricalsupply.com

Office Partitions

Modernfold Styles

201-329-6226

15 Empire Boulevard South Hackensack, NJ 07606

Joseph Jordan jjordan@modernfoldstyles.com modernfoldstyles.com

Paint & Coatings

Herzog’s Home & Paint 845-338-6300

151 Plaza Rd, Kingston, NY 12401

Greg Amato gregg@herzogs.com herzogs.com

Pipe, Valve & Fittings

Raritan Group, Inc. 732-985-5000

295 Meadow Road, Edison, NJ 08817

Bill Richardson bill@raritanvalve.com raritangroup.com

Plumbing | HVAC

RAL Supply Group

845-343-1456

24 Dunning Rd Middletown, NY 10940

Charles T. Milich, Jr. cmilich@Ralsupply.com ralsupply.com

Toilet Rentals

Enviro-Clean 845-883-5563

70 Coy Rd, Clintondale, NY 12515

Bob Earl bgearl@optonline.net porta-potty.com

SERVICE PROVIDERS

Accountants

Bonadio Group 585-381-1100

6 Wembley Court, Albany, NY 12205

Michael Smith msmith@bonadio.com bonadio.com

PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP 845-565-5400

32 Fostertown Rd, Newburgh, NY 12550

Alan Marks amarks@pkfod.com pkfod.com

RBT CPAs 845-567-9000

11 Racquet Rd, Newburgh, NY 12550

Bob Marchione rmarchione@rbtcpas.com rbtcpas.com

Schultheis & Panettieri, LLP 631-273-4778

450 Wireless Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 11788

James Heinzman jheinzman@snpcpa.com snpcpa.com

Steven A. Scala, CPA, P.C. 845-294-4200

15 Matthews St., Suite 305 Goshen, NY 10924

Steven A. Scala ss@scalacpa.com scalacpa.com

Architects | Engineers

Alfandre Architecture, P.C. 845-255-4774

231 Main St #201

New Paltz, NY 12561

Rick Alfrandre ralfandre@alfandre.com alfandre.com

Colliers Engineering & Design

845-564-4495

555 Hudson Valley Rd, Suite 101 New Windsor, NY 12553

Joe Dopico joseph.dopico@colliersengineering.com colliersengineering.com

Delaware Engineering

518-452-1290

28 Madison Ave Ext. Albany, NY 12203

John Brust jbrust@delawareengineering.com delawareengineering.com

Keystone Management Associates, LLC

845-534-4660

PO Box 274, Mountainville, NY 10953

Jake Bidosky jbidosky@keystone-associates.com keystone-associates.com

Liscum, McCormack & Van Voorhis, LLP

845-452-2268

181 Church St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Michael McCormack mmccormack@lmvarchitects.com lmvarchitects.com

Minuta Architecture 845-565-0055

554 Temple Hill Rd New Windsor, NY 12553

Joseph Minuta info@minutaarchitecture.com minutaarchitecture.com

Tectonic Engineering Consultants, Geologists & Land Surveyors, DPC 845-534-5959

70 Pleasant Hill Rd Mountainville, NY 10953

Mark Stier mastier@tectonicengineering.com tectonicengineering.com

Banks

M&T Bank

845-440-2898

300 Westage Business Center Dr Suite 410 Fishkill, NY 12524

Mark Stellwag mstellwag@mandtbank.com mtb.com

NBT Bank

845-562-6766

11 Garden St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602

John Davies

john.davies@nbtbank.com nbtbank.com

Orange Bank & Trust Company 845-341-5043

212 Dolson Ave, Middletown, NY 10940

Michael Gilfeather mgilfeather@orangebanktrust.com orangebanktrust.com

Rhinebeck Bank 845-454-8555

2 Jefferson Plaza Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Philip Bronzi pbronzi@rhinebeckbank.com rhinebeckbank.com

Ulster Savings Bank

845-338-6322

1208 Route 300 Suite 101 Newburgh, NY 12550

Matthew Agor magor@ulstersavings.com ulstersavings.com

Walden Savings Bank 845-457-7700

15 Scotts Corners Drive Montgomery, NY 12549

Joann Menendez joann.menendez@waldensavings.bank waldensavings.bank

Wallkill Valley Federal Savings & Loan Association

845-895-2051

23 Wallkill Ave., Wallkill, NY 12589

Domenic Baiocco dbaiocco@wallkill.com wallkill.com

Cleaning | Environmental

Advanced Disaster Recovery, Inc. 845-294-8919

2713 Route 17M

New Hampton, NY 10958

Angelo Ferrante angelo@advanceddri.com advanceddri.com

Nadoka Luxury Cleaning 845-201-0080

69 Townsend Drive, Apt. 1 Newburgh, NY 12550

Richmond Aidoo nadoka.lc@gmail.com

Graphics | Promotional Materials

Safeguard Print, Promo, & Apparel 845-471-4466

15 Manchester Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Jerry Martin jmartin3@gosafeguard.com Gosafeguardny.com

Tri State Associated Services, Inc. 845-331-7581

81 Ten Broeck Ave. Kingston, NY 12401

Frank Campagna fjc@tsasinc.com tsasinc.com

Insurance | Bonding

Broadfield Group, LLC 845-986-2211

68 Main St., Warwick, NY 10990

Richard Savino richs@broadfieldinsurance.com broadfieldinsurance.com

Federated Insurance

845-674-3290

P.O. Box 123, Cornwall, NY 12518

Steve Powles scpowles@fedins.com federatedinsurance.com

Liberty Mutual

201-327-7606

1200 MacArthur Blvd. Mahwah, NJ 07430

Ian Brodie ian.brodie@libertymutual.com libertymutual.com

Lovell Safety Management Co. 518-753-7646

80 Pleasant Ave., Schaghitcoke, NY 12154

David S. Natter dnatter@lovellsafety.com lovellsafety.com

Marshall & Sterling

845-454-0800

110 Main St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Kevin Viana kviana@marshallsterling.com marshallsterling.com

Milliman, Inc.

646-473-3308

1305 River Rd, Phoenicia, NY 12464

Reza Vahid reza.vahid@milliman.com milliman.com

Northwestern Mutual 518-690-7961

1 Northwestern Blvd., Albany, NY 12211

Patrick DiCerbo pat.dicerbo@nm.com patdicerbo.com

NXG Insurance Group 845-594-4703

159 Green St., Kingston, NY 12401 Joseph Davis nxginsurance.com

World Insurance Associates, LLC

845-230-3323

3 Starr Ridge Road, Suite 100 Brewster, NY 10509

Jeff Deldin jeffdeldin@worldinsurance.com worldinsurance.com

Investment Advisors

Affinity BST Advisors, LLC

973-534-5785

10 British American Blvd Latham, NY 12110

Nicholas Preddice npreddice@financialguide.com affinitybstadvisors.com

BNY Mellon Center 617-722-6972

1 Boston Place, 24th Floor Boston MA 02127

Jeb Banks jeb.banks@bnymellon.com

The Fischer Group at Graystone Consulting 518-386-2928

1212 Troy Schenectady Rd Latham, NY 12110

Mark Caropreso mark.a.caropreso@morganstanley.com morganstanley.com/graystone

Merrill Lynch 518-782-4094

26 Century Hill Dr, Latham, NY 12110

Mike Chrys michael_chrys@ml.com ml.com

Pivotal Wealth Management 845-219-5162

1 Blue Hill Plaza, Lobby #1509 Pearl River, NY 10965

John Scarpino john@pivotalwealthllc.com pivotalwealthllc.com

Stacey Braun Associates, Inc. 888-949-1925

377 Broadway, 8th Floor New York, NY 10013

Martin Wexler mhwexler@staceybraun.com Staceybraun.com

Law Firms

Catania Mahon & Rider 845-565-1100 641 Broadway Newburgh, NY 12550

Mike Cantania mcatania@cmrlegal.com cmrlaw.com

Couch White, LLP 518-426-4600

540 Broadway, PO Box 22222 Albany, NY 12201

Joel M. Howard, lll jhoward@couchwhite.com couchwhite.com

Welby, Brady & Greenblatt 914-428-2100

11 Martine Ave White Plains, NY 10606

Anthony P. Carlucci, Jr. acarlucci@wbgllp.com wbgllp.com

Real Estate

Gillespie Real Estate 845-565-7073

167 North Plank Rd Newburgh, NY 12550

Jodi Gillespie buysellwithjodi@gmail.com hudsonvalleyrealestate-ny.com

Howard Hanna Realty 845-774-6858

229 Route 32 Central Valley, NY 10917

Karen Taphorn karen.taphorn@randrealty.com randrealty.com

Security

Blue Eagle Security. Inc 845-642-8908

16 Beth Dr., Middletown, NY 10941

Rick Hewitt rickhewitt@blueeaglesecurity.com blueeaglesecurity.com

Nexgen Protection Services LLC 845-248-1191

1108 Kings Hwy Suite B Chester, NY 10918

Frank Costa frank.costa@nexgenpi.com nexgenpi.com

Testing Companies

Advance Testing 845-496-1600

3348 Route 208 Campbell Hall, NY 10916

Chris McCracken busdev@advancetesting.com advancetesting.com

Fairway Testing Co., Inc. 845-942-2088

22 N. Liberty Dr Stony Point, NY 10980

Amy Aguanno DeEntremont adeentremont@fairwaytesting.com fairwaytesting.com

U.S. Test & Balance Corp. 845-896-5609

10 Corporate Park Dr, Suite D Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

William Carr billcarr@getbalanced.com getbalanced.com

Utilities | Energy

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. 845-486-5755

284 South Ave

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Anthony Campagiorni acampagiorni@cenhud.com centralhudson.com

Orange & Rockland Utilities 845-577-2339

766 West Nyack Rd West Nyack, NY 10994

John Flynn flynnjo@oru.com oru.com