On the Level: 3rd Quarter 2024 Publication

Building a Future New Grads Explore

Inside:

• Welcome New Members

• Route 17 Third Lane Coming Soon?

• School Construction Heats Up

the Trades

Share Your Story Ideas

at lramirez@ccahv.com or call her at 845-562-4280.

Lisa Ramirez

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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

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

Lisa Ramirez, Editor: lramirez@ccahv.com

Millie Rodriquez, Advertising: mrodriguez@ccahv.com

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

Ron Olori — Trustee

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

Director’s Message

Our industry is faced with constant challenges and, I believe, mainly the best and worst survive.

The best - you, our members - do things right. Along with our unions, you put the best and most trained people on the job sites. Safety and quality are paramount to your success and growth. Your business succeeds on your reputation and business acumen.

Then, on the other hand …

The competition doesn’t provide OSHA certified and trained employees. Doesn’t supply NYS insurance. Doesn’t pay workers an area living wage. In many cases, doesn’t supply any benefits at all.

It is difficult to bid against a competitor that doesn’t plan on paying benefits on time or the proper wage and can knowingly undercut any legitimate bid.

I have used this space in the past to complain about our New York State government and how it puts burdens on in-state contractors, but don’t enforce the rules on out-of-state contractors. Well for once, I would like to thank NYS Senate and Assembly members for enacting a law that requires all bidders on public works to be registered with the state Department of Labor and to provide proof of proper insurance. It doesn’t completely solve the problems created by those who cheat on wages and benefits, but it is a big step in the right direction.

When I get the opportunity to visit job sites I am impressed and proud of the quality of the work our members do. I recently visited the new Orange County Medical Examiners building (County Executive Neuhaus offered me my choice of roomThanks, Steve!) It’s a high quality, state-of-the-art facility that Orange County and Butler Construction should be proud of!

I always tell people looking to have a project done, “If you think it’s expensive to build union, wait until you find out how expensive it is to build cheap!”

Wishing you all a safe and successful summer season,

Best regards,

Alan Seidman

Alan Seidman

Welcome to Our New Members

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

A-Verdi Storage Containers has been locally-owned by the Verdi Family for over 40 years and is a premier provider of storage and office solutions throughout New York. From Albany to Buffalo and Binghamton to Malone, A-Verdi has built solid relationships with customers and suppliers. A-Verdi’s ground level office and shipping containers meet the unique space needs for any site while keeping a professional appearance in any environment. With a combination of local products and people, A-Verdi provides temporary storage or office space tailored speciaLly for their customers. Whether short term or long term, they’ll make sure you have the right layout to get the job done.

To learn more call 315-365-2851 or visit www.averdi.com.

Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC is an independent, beneficially employee-owned investment advisor specializing in fixed income and real estate. With $18.2 billion in assets under management and a long-history of providing moderate, stable income solutions to clients, Boyd Watterson offers an array of fixed income, real estate, and equity investment options.

To learn more call 617-312-1335 or visit www.boydwatterson.com

Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. is committed to providing advice, personal service and customized solutions to help clients in today’s complex environment Throughout the 25 years of the firm’s existence, they’ve seen a variety of complex investment challenges, and that’s why they work closely with their clients to help reduce taxes, fund education, plan for retirement, and create the legacy you want.

Their experienced support staff handles all aspects of the client experience, from transferring in assets to creating custom reporting for board meetings or regulatory reporting. Hudson Valley Investment Advisors is a subsidiary of Orange County Bankcorp, Inc. and has offices in Goshen and White Plains.

To learn more call 845-294-6127 or visit www.hviaonline.com

TD Bank is focused on stability through a diversified business model with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services.

TD Bank understands you want to feel confident in the financial soundness of the banking institutions with which you do business and operates from a position of financial strength and security. With a longstanding focus on prudent risk management, they hold themselves to high standards of integrity, ethics and compliance.

To learn more call 845-220-2801 or visit www.TD.com.

Focused Wealth Management was founded with the goal of assisting their clients in every aspect of their financial lives, providing the most comprehensive and professional services available while earning a reputation for excellence in the money management industry.

Headquartered in Newburgh, the Focused Wealth Management team is made up of experienced professionals with a “hands-on” approach to money management. Their team members truly care about helping clients achieve success in all aspects of their finances and will keep you focused on the importance of maintaining a disciplined and cost-effective approach to investing. In addition, Focused Wealth Management has developed a special niche for trusts, not-for-profits, public and private endowments, pension funds, foundations and contingency funds.

To learn more call 845-691-4035 or visit www.FocusedWealthMgmt.com.

EKB Kitchens & Interiors is a cabinetry company whose craftsmanship, American values, and design skills are a testament to their love of quality kitchens. EKB has proudly offered contractors, home builders and homeowners throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond a variety of high quality cabinetry, fine installations options, and American made products for nearly 20 years.

EKB Kitchens & Interiors prides itself on consistent and high quality customer service on all of our products and services. EKB maintains a well-appointed showroom conveniently located in New Windsor, NY.

To learn more call 845-563-0290 or visit www.EKBkitchens.com.

TAM Enterprises, Inc. specializes in all phases of water and wastewater renovation, rehabilitation, and construction and takes pride in their 24-hour emergency service, putting safety, efficiency and quality of work before all.

Founded in 1994 and based in Goshen, TAM was started by Anthony Lasaponara with a van and a small snake machine and working alone. Some 30 years later TAM has grown to become one of the largest locally owned water and wastewater mechanic companies in the Hudson Valley. This rapid growth was due to countless hours of hard work, dedication and will to be the best they could be. TAM customers are in good hands 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The entire trained staff has been thoroughly trained and certified in Confined Space Entry, Trench Rescue, Competent Person Regulations, OSHA 10 and HAZWOPPER 40, ensuring a safe work site. To learn more call 845-294-8882 or visit www.TAMamenterprises.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 bracing • Trash chutes

• Horizontal netting

• Temporary weather enclosures

We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Clean Room

BioTech is Looking for Space, and their Priorities are Very Specific

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Pearl River - Great ventilation.

Reliable infrastructure.

Plenty of Water. On site chefs.

Such are the facility needs of the growing science and biotech industry, and developers, builders and communities hoping to lure those sectors will be expected to fulfill their wish lists, industry experts say.

Building and design priorities were among the topics discussed at Bisnow’s New York Life Sciences and Biotech Event, held earlier this summer at the Hudson Valley iCampus in Pearl River. One panel discussion - Building & Designing With Science & Tenant Needs Top Of Mind - drilled down on the specific requirements of tenants in biotech and life sciences, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, cosmetics, research and vaccine development.

During the panel discussion key priorities emerged. They include:

Waste management. Facilities, and the communities that host them, will likely need to be able to handle, store, and dispose of hazardous materials.

Water. Lots of it, and water filtration systems.

Flexible design. Tenants may initially be in the incubation phase and will need room to grow.

Facilities need “graduation space” to accommodate expansion.

Refrigeration, including, in some instances, large warehouse-style refrigerated spaces, for sample storage.

Reliable power and redundancy. Power interruptions can be disastrous. Back up systems must be fail-safe.

Ventilation systems. The work can produce fumes, odors, even airborne contaminants. Indoor air - and exhaust - needs to be safe.

Social Spaces. Bringing people together is vital to the industry. Idea sharing and collaboration is often dependent upon spontaneous conversations, so space should encourage conversation and interaction.

Amenities. Biotech workers are in high demand, and employers know they must offer a desirable workplace. Gyms, outdoor space, coffee bars, on-site childcare, and eateries (the panelists mentioned “excellent food” more than once) are becoming new standards. Such amenities are also an important “carrot” with which to lure talent - who have become accustomed to working from home - back into the workspace.

More on food. Biotech sites are often set away from downtown centers, so off-site food choices may be limited or non-existed. Facilities may require professional kitchens, dining areas and cafés.

The panelists also noted that New York City has seen significant growth in “biotech clusters” in places like Long Island City, Kips Bay, and the Brooklyn waterfront, creating more than 20,000 high-wage, high-growth jobs. The city has set a goal to double that number in the next 10 to 15 years.

Upstate communities, the panelists said, could attract similar investments and development, adding that international companies are especially interested in establishing a U.S. presence and are seeking sites, builders and architects.

Hudson Valley iCampus is a 2 million-square-foot property in Pearl River, NY. Its tenant roster includes Pfizer, Sanofi US Services, Strides Pharma, Momentive Performance Materials USA, Auro Vaccines and Olaplex. The Biotech Event was held April 25, 2024.

THE EXPERTS

The “Building & Designing with Science & Tenant Needs Top Of Mind” panel included:

Naveen Paladugu COO, Rk Pharma

Glennis Mehra Director, Biolabs at NYU Langone

Lugene Maher Head Of Operations, Pearl River Labs

Arslan Asovic

Science and Technology Practice Area Leader, Syska Hennessy Group

Daniel Davis

Senior Associate, Jb&B

Moderated by Steven Kirschenbaum EVP, RP Brennan

 Metal Framing

 Drywall

 Insulation

 Carpentry

 ACT Ceilings

 Doors/Hardware

 Millwork

 Specialty Construction

And it’s incredible in here.

Our teams are dedicated to providing cutting-edge, compassionate care, from primary care to intensive care and everything in between. With our broad expertise and commitment to innovation, Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall has been recognized as one of the top 2% of hospitals in the nation. Much like Newburgh and our surrounding communities are changing, so too are we.

MontefioreSLC.org | (845) 561-4400

Building a Future

Skilled Trades Rival College as Pathway

to Career Success

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Right about now, college dorms are filling up with recent high school graduates, fulfilling a goal set in many parents, and school counselors: Get into a good college.

That first year of in-state tuition and dorm fees will cost, on average, $27,000. Thing is, about 25 percent of those freshmen won’t make it through their first year. Others will pack up

and leave college before completing a degree, heading home in debt and with questionable job prospects.

Meanwhile, the demand for skilled labor is set to soar as infrastructure investments, the energy transition, and real estate development projects come online, many with project labor agreements or stipulations that the jobs go to union labor.

Photos by Lisa Ramirez

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law alone — with projects set to peak in 2027-28 — is expected to create 345,000 good-paying jobs, and at the same time, the “net zero gains” goals of renewable energy could generate more than 1 million jobs for trade workers. It’s a veritable avalanche of new jobs. And this doesn’t factor in the demand for new housing and commercial-to-residential conversions as the need for office space declines. Experts are talking about a “generation of work” that will keep skilled workers busy for decades.

But will there be enough people — skilled people — to fill those jobs?

Many are worried that the thinning ranks of the skilled labor workforce will make it difficult for the construction industry to meet demand.

So where have all the workers gone, and who will fill their work boots?

Lots of folks have simply retired, or will very soon. Census data shows that 1 in 5 construction workers are 55 years of age or older, and they’re winding down their careers. They’re some of the most experienced workers, and they’re about to hang up their hardhats.

The pandemic also took its toll. During the COVID-19 shutdown many Americans — everyone from accountants and teachers to electricians and roofers — reassessed their work life, quit their jobs and decided to pursue entirely different careers. The benefits of remote work and flexible schedules has also lured many away from employers, like construction, with on-site demands and structured schedules.

Then there’s Gen Z, now in their teens and twenties, and that “get to college” mantra they’ve continually heard has had an impact. It’s left many of them thinking that anything less than a four-year degree is akin to failure, with about 79 percent of recent high school grads saying their parents want them to go to college. That persistent stigma of vocational training propels many into colleges without ever seriously considering the great — and growing — opportunities in the construction trades.

Education trends, though, show signs of change, credited in a large part to the recruitment and messaging efforts of trade unions and others

in the industry, which drive home a reality that high school counselors often neglect to stress: The skilled trades are a pathway to meaningful, good-paying careers with solid benefits — training included — all without the burden of lengthy, expensive, and sometimes non-beneficial, stint in college.

And salaries are comparable. The average starting salary for college graduates is $55,260 per year, according to Indeed.com. A union electrician apprentice can expect to make $50,000-$77,000 during their first year on the job (GlassDoor.com).

“It’s important to get out and speak directly to the kids,” says Michael “Doc” Dunn, Ironworkers Local 417 President and Business Agent. “They’re probably not going to hear about ironworker, or carpentry, or HVAC, or any of the trades, from their high school counselor. And that’s a shame.”

The Ironworkers’ student outreach includes many of the local high school career fairs and expos, which, like college fairs, introduce students to career opportunities. “What are you doing next year?” Dunn often asks the students that stop by his table display. “Have you heard about the Ironworkers?”

Matt Ross, council representative for the Local 279 United Brotherhood of Carpenters, is often at the same career fairs with Dunn, extolling the opportunities in union carpentry.

“Forget about taking out student loans and going into debt. You can earn while you learn,” Ross says, adding that few careers can rival union labor when it comes to pay, benefits and retirement security.

“These kids can be making a solid living almost immediately. They’ll be able to afford a home, family vacations, and have great health insurance.”

Ross adds that the career ladder within the union trades offers plenty of opportunity for advancement, such as construction supervision and management and training positions.

The efforts seem to be working. Data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Centers found that the number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges increased 16 percent from 2022 to 2023.

In its 23rd year, the Hudson Valley Construction Career Day at Rockland County Community College is among the most well-attended in the region — this year about 700 high school students spent the better part of a school day at the event.

Michael Keon, Craft Training Coordinator SMART Sheet Metal Worker Local Union 38, was among the local officials at the event.

“It takes a village to build America,” Keon said. “And unions build careers.”

HELP WANTED: Major Projects will Drive Demand for Skilled Workers

Opportunities abound in construction careers as major projects, especially in infrastructure and energy, break ground. Some trades stand to especially experience a dramatic surge in job openings, including:

Construction laborers and helpers

The US construction industry had roughly 374,000 job openings in December 2023.

Electricians

An estimated 30 percent of union electricians will reach retirement age in the next decade. Additionally, 70 percent of supervisors are baby boomers nearing retirement.

Welders, cutters, solderers and braziers

The US manufacturing industry posted 584,000 job openings in January 2024. With manufacturing and construction firms competing for the same talent, opportunities in these trades will be robust.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

More on this Story: Don’t miss CEO, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association Aaron Hilger’s column, “Sheet Metal a Great Career for Recent Grads,” on page 56.

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Looking Up: New Investments and Innovative Sectors Drive Opportunities

By Maureen Halahan President, CEO, Orange County Partnership

We are living through a dynamic growth period for the Orange County market. National and regional developers are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in spec buildings, international companies are seeking sites for advanced manufacturing, and New York State is investing millions of dollars in our downtowns and in efforts to develop manufacturing business parks. At the same time, our commitment to supporting emerging sectors has never been stronger — we’re seeing dynamic opportunities in clean energy, cannabis processing, food and beverage, and recently, aviation.

For the last two decades, we have attended hundreds of planning and town board meetings, public hearings, and local planning meetings. Communities have asked local leaders and economic development professionals to attract higher paying jobs. We listened and are actively working to deliver. We’re using programs like FAST NY to advance manufacturing business parks – site readiness efforts allow us to predict the future of Orange County, to write our own story. Local elected officials are embracing the new economy, helping advance real, positive change. Today, we’re positioned to win

substantial economic development projects, creating a ripple effect that impacts the construction, consulting and local business community.

Last month, the Port Authority authorized two ground leases at New York Stewart International Airport for Sky Harbour Group and AFCO (Aviation Facilities Company) to develop corporate jet hangers and service facilities.

These projects will invest $119 million to build 300,000 square feet of new hangar space, creating hundreds of well-paying permanent and construction jobs at New York Stewart International Airport. With the support of Town of Newburgh Supervisor Gil Piaquadio and Deputy Supervisor Scott Manley, along with Town of New Windsor Supervisor Stephen Bedetti, this project marks the culmination of a collabo-

rative multiyear effort to spur job creation at the airport – the momentum will likely help us attract additional aviation investment over the next few years.

As economic developers, we are consistently reimagining our economy, thinking about the next decade of opportunities. As an organization, we are steadfast in our commitment to supporting the advanced manufacturing sector.

Over the last few years, we’ve prioritized building relationships with national site selectors and real estate professionals from the tri-state area, with a particular focus on New Jersey and Connecticut. These relationships have yielded new opportunities in cannabis processing, food and beverage production, plastic package production, and the offshore wind supply chain. Presently, we’re in continued...

active discussions with approximately $2 billion worth of manufacturing projects interested in localizing factories in Orange County.

What comes next? The answer is clear — we must strengthen local pro-business coalitions, support our workforce partners, and invest in utility infrastructure to meet the needs of robust project opportunities. Reimagining the economy of Orange County and the Hudson

Valley is inherently collaborative — we can’t succeed unless we’re all aligned in our efforts to spur a new generation of job creation.

Maureen Halahan is President and CEO of the Orange County Partnership. Halahan and her team works with real estate brokers, developers, site selection firms and economic development agencies to find advantageous and cost-effective locations for corporate attractions and expansions. Contact her at Maureen@ocpartnership.org.

New Hangars Approved for Stewart

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey approved leases this spring for two corporate jet hangar projects at Stewart International Airport, a move that will bring more than 300,000 square feet and $119 million in capital investment to the Newburgh airstrip.

In all, the projects will mean 15 additional hangars at Stewart: SWF Development will build 13 corporate jet hangars totaling 182,000 square feet; Aviation Facilities Company Management (AFCO) will build two hangars totaling 125,000 square feet. The developers say the projects will create about 245 permanent private-sector jobs, plus 260 jobs stemming from the construction of the facilities.

“The SWF Development and AFCO projects will create good-paying jobs for local residents, stimulate activity for our small businesses, and generate new opportunities for our community,” said New Windsor Supervisor Stephen Bedetti.

The Port Authority leases include goals to benefit local businesses, minority and women-owned business enterprises and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. The leases also require the tenants to align with the Port Authority’s sustainability goals, which include construction of facilities that meet or exceed current energy efficiency standards and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

For travelers, the new hangers will help satisfy an increasing demand for corporate and private jet travel. According to Port Authority data, corporate jet activity increased 14 percent from 2019 to 2021, a dramatic uptick driven in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. The upward trend has continued, with activity increasing again - this time by 10 percentfrom 2021 to 2022.

Sky Harbour’s Stewart campus will house corporate and privately-owned business jets in state-of-the art hangars. Sky Harbour has campuses at airports in Houston, Nashville, Miami and San Jose and is expanding to regional airports in Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, Chicago, Orlando and more.

AFCO’s services include airport management; the development, design, financing, leasing, and marketing of terminals, and other transportation infrastructure.

The Port Authority builds, operates, and maintains critical transportation and trade assets. Its network of aviation, rail, surface transportation and seaport facilities annually moves millions of people and transports vital cargo throughout the New York/New Jersey region. It acquired Stewart in November 2007.

Route 17 Third Lane Would Bring Opportunity, Jobs

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

As the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation continues to consider Route 17 enhancements and improvements, the CCA joins local economic development organizations, labor unions and community leaders in support of adding a third lane.

The “NYS Route 17 Mobility and Access Improvements Project,” as the most current effort is called, and in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, aims to resolve congestion and safety issues along the vital corridor.

Improving the road, proponents say, will pave the way for opportunities. The communities along the stretch, it’s predicted, will become all the more attractive to businesses and developers and, in turn, create both construction and long-term jobs. Several labor unions and regional construction associations have joined the chorus of support.

Route 17 construction began in 1949, and while some stretches and interchanges have been rehabilitated and upgraded, it remains, for the most part, originally designed. It has a combination of complete and partial interchanges, several of which have been upgraded since the original roadway construction.

Plans to convert Route 17 to Interstate I-86 go back to the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, which includes plans to fold into the federal Interstate System 381 miles of Route 17 from the New

York-Pennsylvania state line to the I-87 interchange in Orange County.

That designation requires upgrades, bringing Route 17 up to the standards of the Interstate System, and several design concepts are under consideration.

In April, the DOT published its notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement, and in May, the DOT’s project team held three in-person Public Scoping Meetings in Orange County, kicking-off the Project Scoping period. The comment period ended May 30, during which the CCA submitted a letter on behalf of its members.

The DOT’s next steps include:

• August 2024: Publish Project Scoping Report

• August 2025: Release draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

• September 2025: Public hearing

• December 2025: Submit final EIS to the Federal Highway Administration

• February 2026: Issue combined final EIS/ Record of Decision

Portions of Route 17 in western New York and the Southern Tier have already been designated as I-86. Eventually, Route 17 will be converted to I-86, linking I-81 and I-88 in Binghamton, I-84 in Middletown, and I-87 (NYS Thruway) at Harriman.

CCA Advocacy

For decades, the CCA has tirelessly advocated for fair labor practices and championed the continued economic growth of the Hudson Valley, supporting projects that create good jobs and enhance the region. This quarter, the CCA has submitted comments in support of a third lane on Route 17 through Orange and parts of Sullivan County, and the Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets Phase 5 Project, which includes new stores, a hotel and a second parking garage. Here’s what we said:

845-562-4280 CCAHV.com 330 Meadow Avenue, Newburgh, NY 12550

A Third Lane will Enhance Safety, Mobility

NYS Route 17 Mobility & Access Improvements Project Team

NYSDOT Region 8

4 Burnett Boulevard

Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

As executive director of the Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley, I am writing to voice support for expanding capacity on New York State Route 17 in Orange and Sullivan counties.

The CCA represents more than 150 union contractors, construction companies, suppliers and related organizations, and has long been a leading voice for the responsible economic development of the Hudson Valley. Our association is aware that the NYS Department of Transportation is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the Route 17 Mobility and Access Improvement Project, located between Exit 113 in Sullivan County and I-87 in Orange County.

Further, I have closely considered the three preliminary study concepts under DOT review, which include:

Concept No. 1: Operational improvements

Concept No. 2: Peak-period shoulder lanes; or

Concept No. 3: The construction of a continuous general use travel lane

I urge you to approve Concept No. 3: Adding a third lane east and west and making the necessary upgrades to convert the Route 17 corridor to Interstate 86.

Additionally, I would like to see the third lane expanded to Exit 103 in Sullivan County.

The need for an additional travel lane has been confirmed by two separate NYSDOT studies and has bipartisan support at all levels of government. The project has long been supported by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer. In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the start of the environmental review of Route 17, which followed the inclusion of up to $1 billion in the state budget.

Many of my neighbors and colleagues are also proponents of this project – we live here, work here and travel on Route 17. An additional lane will improve mobility and provide improved access for emergency services, making the corridor safer for everyone.

The project will also go a long way toward the sustainability of our communities. Infrastructure upgrades are investments in our future. The project itself will create good-paying jobs and give local economies a much-needed boost.

Traffic has steadily increased for decades and even more so in recent years with the arrival of Legoland, Resorts World Catskills and other major projects along Route 17. Tourism is booming; some 6 million people visit Orange County each year, and the Sullivan Catskills draws upward of 4 million visitors.

Meanwhile, the Hudson Valley is experiencing tremendous population growth, further increasing traffic. Orange County has the fourth-fastest growing population in the state, increasing at a rate of more than 9 percent between 2010 and 2023. Sullivan County, too, is one of the fastest-growing counties in New York.

We must ensure our roads are safe and can handle the added capacity.

Of course, investment in public transportation is also important, and a one-seat ride to Manhattan from Port Jervis or Middletown should be part of that plan. However, we also know cars and trucks will continue to be part of our everyday lives.

We cannot afford further delays to this long-overdue project. I urge you to make the public’s safety your priority in this project. Adding a third travel lane to improve mobility on Route 17 is the responsible thing to do for our residents, visitors, and region.

Thank you,

Alan Seidman

Alan Seidman CCA Executive Director

845-562-4280 CCAHV.com 330 Meadow Avenue, Newburgh, NY 12550

Woodbury Common Project Means Construction Work, Tax Revenue and Jobs

Christopher Gerver, Chairperson

Village of Woodbury Planning Board

PO Box 546

Central Valley, NY 10917

Dear Mr. Gerver,

I write to you today on behalf of our membership in support of the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets’ Phase 5 Project.

As executive director of the Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley it is my duty to encourage and promote economic growth. I do this with a keen awareness of how the right projects not only create good-paying union construction jobs, but also bring permanent employment to our residents, making it possible to find meaningful employment right here.

Woodbury Commons has proven to be a good neighbor, creating jobs and generating significant revenue. Phase 5 stands to build upon that success, strengthening our tax base for years to come and funding our public schools, municipalities and community services.

In the past, Woodbury Common has utilized local union construction labor and has reiterated that intention for the construction of the proposed expansion, creating much-needed work for the skilled tradespeople in our community. And once complete, hundreds of permanent jobs - in management, retail, hospitality and more - will be added to our local economy.

The CCA — with a membership of nearly 150 union contractors, suppliers and associated businesses — joins elected officials, school leaders, and community residents in its support of Phase 5, and we are ready to get to work.

Thank you for your consideration,

Alan Seidman

Alan Seidman CCA Executive Director

Building a Better World

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

Playing it Safe

The playground at Sarah Taylor Park in Fishkill is a more welcoming place for local children thanks to Delaware Engineering, which donated a special ground covering this season.

A Delaware Engineer crew volunteered to install the cover, getting it set for safe fun just in time for summer weather. The soft, squishy material was spread under and around the playground’s equipment, adding a layer of protective cushioning should anyone take a tumble.

Book Deposit

The Ulster Savings Bank Charitable Foundation supports numerous educational, housing and health organizations, and recently the Woodstock Day School was a beneficiary.

With a grant from Ulster Savings the school was able to update the audio book selection in its library, enhancing its selection of digital titles.

The bank’s Charitable Foundation was founded in 2001 in honor of the bank’s 150th anniversary, and has since awarded grants to nonprofits across Ulster, Dutchess and Orange Counties. In 2023, the foundation distributed more than $300,000 to some 80 organizations.

To learn more visit www.ulstersavings.com.

A Night of Wishes

The CCA is humbled to have received the Community Partner Award from Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley.

CCA Executive Director Alan Seidman and North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Local 279 Business Manager Scott Smith accepted the honor at the annual Wish Ball.

Over the years, CCA members have donated thousands of dollars to Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley, a primary beneficiary of the CCA’s Holiday Get-Together and Giving Event, at which donations are collected on behalf of Make-A-Wish.

The CCA was honored alongside the Carpenters, who have volunteered time and resources making childrens’ wishes come true, most often with spectacular custom tree houses.

“(Smith) gives his own labor, his own time, and works with his tools,” said Seidman. “He has spent countless hours on many, many projects.”

Added Smith, “I also want to send a heartfelt thanks to my brothers and sisters at Carpenters Local Union 279 - Hudson Valley. Your tireless commitment to volunteering has been instrumental in allowing me to pursue my passion.” Smith also thanked business representative Matt Ross for helping lead the way on every project.

To learn more about Make-W-Wish Hudson Valley and its mission to bring magic into the lives of children facing serious illnesses, visit

Resorts World Hudson Valley

Simon Property Group Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

Luke’s Cornwall Chronic Care Center

In the News Firehouse, Community Centers, More Set to Receive Federal Improvement Funds

There’s a tidy bit of federal money headed to the Hudson Valley, providing crucial federal resources for an array of local projects and infrastructure improvements. In all, about $58 million was secured for the Hudson Valley, money that will go towards upgrading roads and sidewalks, modernizing and expanding water systems, and promoting economic development, including:

Rockland County: $1.6 million for facility improvements to the Community Outreach Center Inc. Resource Hub for Disadvantaged Children, Adults, and Seniors

Poughkeepsie: $1,050,000 for the Youth Opportunity Union to establish a multipurpose community center

Poughkeepsie: $1 million for facility improvements to the Poughkeepsie Family Partnership Center

Parksville: $1 million for Camp HASC to construct new buildings to house the program rooms serving people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, autism and/or physical handicaps

Tivoli: $500,000 to expand the Tivoli Firehouse

Monticello: $2 million to replace an aging water treatment plant

Carmel: $2 million for site preparation for the construction of a water treatment plant

Kiryas Joel: $2 million for water treatment facility improvements

Sullivan County: $1 million for water and sewer infrastructure upgrades along the Old Route 17 Economic Development Corridor

The monies were secured by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand as congressionally directed spending requests and are included in the FY2024 appropriations package.

The grant money will go toward the expansion and renovation of the Tivoli Firehouse.

Brian Sanvidge to Monitor IDA

The Orange County Industrial Development Agency is now operating under the scrutiny of Brian Sanvidge, a certified inspector general and fraud examiner appointed by New York State.

As monitor, Sanvidge can overrule the IDA’s tax relief packages if they fail to sufficiently consider taxpayers, the environment, or return on investment as required by the IDA’s Uniform Tax Exemption Policy, further ensuring that tax breaks are legal and ethical. That tax relief comes in the form of Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs), and recipients must show that their project provides a public benefit, such as job creation or community enhancement.

Funding for the monitor — $500,000 over the next two years — will come from the IDA. The agency is not

publicly funded; its revenue comes from fees charged to companies applying for financial incentives.

Sanvidge’s appointment came at the urging of Sen. James Skoufis (D-Orange County), an IDA critic who alleged that unnecessary tax breaks were being awarded.

Sanvidge is principal/leader of regulatory compliance and investigations for Anchin, an accounting advisory firm based in New York City, and has decades of experience advising on fraud and forensic investigations. He specializes in highly-regulated industries including construction, transportation, infrastructure, hospitality, not-for-profits, and healthcare and lectures nationally on labor law, business fraud, white collar crime and regulatory compliance. His tenure as Orange County IDA monitor began this spring.

New Life for Old Psych Center?

The future of the old Middletown Psychiatric Center campus will be the focus of a Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress study.

Now called the Middletown Community Campus, the 220-acre site includes several historical buildings and sprawling grounds. The study, which is expected to take several years, will be funded by a $300,000 New York State grant. The campus’ brownfield issues will also be addressed by the study.

The Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital, later the Psychiatric Center, first opened in the late 1800’s, and was noted for offering homeopathic treatment

for mental disorders, a groundbreaking approach at the time. Treatment included education, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, recreation, diet and exercise.

Brian Sanvidge

Vintage Photo

Project Roundup

Heritage Financial Park Opens with New Clubhouse, Fresh Turf & More

The Hudson Valley Renegades’ opening day was also the unveiling of an upgraded Heritage Financial Park, with Phase 2 of renovations completed just in time for the first pitch.

Improvements to the stadium — which many still affectionately call “The Dutch” — mark its largest investment since it opened in 1994. Several CCA members – Tri-State Drywall and Acoustical and Holt Construction among them — and local union labor worked on the project.

The new clubhouse — the Renegades is the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees — exceeds Major League Baseball’s standards, and players now enjoy amenities such as a private weight room and enclosed batting tunnels. Locker room space for

women coaches and umpires and a players’ lounge were also added, and fresh artificial turf was installed. The clubhouse upper level boasts event space for 200 guests with a kitchen and bar, indoor seating, bathrooms, a patio and private outdoor seats. The venue is available year-round.

Additionally, there’s now a rooftop party deck, new drink rail seating and new restrooms. The expansion increases the ballpark’s capacity by about 1,000.

Phase Two almost immediately followed Phase One, which included the replacement of the outfield wall; renovation of the right field clubhouse, and the enclosure of batting cages.

Asbestos Abatement Next for Family Partnership Center

The Poughkeepsie Family Partnership has secured nearly $5 million to continue upgrades and renovations to the Family Partnership Center.

Originally a high school, the center is home to 19 organizations that provide critical community services ranging from healthcare to education to physical fitness programming. This most recent grant

— along with the $1 million in federal funds secured by Congressman Pat Ryan earlier this year — will help Family Services complete asbestos abatement projects and rehabilitate the 110-year old building.

“We are diligently working on plans to redevelop areas of our city to provide a better quality of life and better services for all our residents,” Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers said.

Middletown to Break Ground on Parking Garage

The City of Middletown could have a new parking garage before the end of the summer, city officials say.

The new parking structure will be built across from the Paramount Theater on South Street and close to the city’s many eateries, shops and services. Though there are already several municipal parking lots, the theater’s growing success, as well as the rejuvenation of Middletown’s downtown, is bringing more and more visitors to the city’s center.

Phase One of the garage project will add 90 spots, some “at grade” (street level) and others on the two upper levels, with work set to begin as soon as the

environmental review, already completed by the city, is approved by the state. A $2.5 million state grant will pay for Phase One.

Phase Two will add an additional level, perhaps two, and will proceed when funding is identified and secured.

Bellefield’s Phase II is Underway

Bellefield Residence Inn by Marriott International, a 137-room all-suite hotel, has officially opened, marking the first major ribbon cutting for the Bellefield at Historic Hyde Park development.

The Inn, a $55 million project, was developed by Shaner Hotel Group, LP, an international hotel owner and operator. Bellefield, though, will be far more than the new Marriott: it’s a $1 billion hospitality, agritourism and residential project, and Phase II of construction, comprising half of the project, is now underway.

Once complete, Bellefield at Historic Hyde Park will boast 2 million square feet of development, including 801 residential units, retail space, two hotels, eateries, a spa, and event space for 500 people, said Thomas Mulroy, Chairman and CEO of T-Rex Capital Group, which is orchestrating the campus’ full development.

Royal Wine Rises on 17

Construction of the Royal Wine Corporation’s sprawling Goshen facility is proceeding apace, adding an unmissable presence to the landscape and poised to begin operations this year.

Royal is building a 623,000-square-foot facility on Route 17M that will enable the relocation of their corporate headquarters to Goshen, and the consolidation of manufacturing and distribution operations from current sites in New Jersey and Ulster County.

Royal, a leading producer of kosher wines, also manufactures Kedem grape juice. The new facility is expected to employ about 125 people. It’s estimated that the build stands to generate 700 construction jobs.

A key feature will be the “Agrihood” with culinary shops, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, a special-events barn and an educational center.

“The Inn at Bellefield and the overall Bellefield vision add yet more jewels – and economic engines – to a town already known for world-famous tourism attractions,” said Hyde Park Town Supervisor Al Torreggiani. “We welcome all things Bellefield as yet another premier reason to revel in everything Hyde Park has to offer.

Company owners have said that operations have outgrown its Kedem facility in the Ulster County hamlet of Marlboro and will merge with its Bayonne, N.J. operation in the new Goshen location. Its grapes are grown in New York’s famed Finger Lakes Region.

The Goshen facility is also slated to include a visitor center and tasting room and will welcome tourists and field trips so children can watch grape juice being made.

Dan Depew Director of Business Development Holt Construction

Stuck in the Summer Doldrums

And Waiting for the Fed to Cut Interest Rates

Back in history class I remember learning about how sailors could be caught for weeks trying to circumvent the Horn of Africa. At a certain point along the journey there’s no wind, and ships would have to patiently drift in windless waters until they caught enough air in the sails to get going again.

The phenomenon is called the Doldrums, and we are in them now.

Those of us in construction know that our sails need lower interest rates to help us get over this economic hump and push us through to the next phase of growth. We’ve been waiting and waiting for relief, but the Federal Reserve has indicated that there will be no rate reductions until December 2024. That means the interest rates you see at the bank will most likely not change until the beginning of 2025’s second quarter, if at all.

Should we get our hopes up? I think there are reasons to believe that the Fed will, in fact, reduce rates at the end of the year. Here’s why:

A SLOWING HOUSING MARKET

I’m not an industry professional in residential real estate, but you don’t have to be to notice that homes in our region are sitting on the market longer. The days of list-and-watch-a-price-war are over. Nobody’s getting 25 percent over list anymore.

This slow-down is fueled by two major forces:

Mortgage Interest Rates

Look around your neighborhood. “For Sale” signs stay planted in front of homes longer than just a few months ago. Sure, Facebook memes reminding us that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate peaked at 18.63 percent in October 1981 lull us into believing that the current 6 or 7 percent is ok, but the truth is the cost of homes in proportion to local incomes is far higher today.

And the cost of everything inside that home has gone up, too. Meanwhile, society is now significantly far more materialistic. Our expectations have changed, and things that were once wants - not needs - are now so expected that they have become quasi needs. Think cell phones, premium cable, multiple cars and closets bursting with new clothes.

In short, the cost of living (and keeping up with the Joneses), or simply surviving, is higher. That $1 can of Pepsi is now $2; a $2 pizza slice is $5, and the car that was $30,000 in 2019 is $39,000 today. And costs didn’t rise slowly over time; it was practically overnight.

Return to office

Employers, especially those in New York City, are pushing for workers to be in the office three, maybe four, days each week, so buying a home here no longer makes sense. People are again commuting beyond their living rooms, and at $4 a gallon they’re feeling the squeeze. (This is why the governor clearly was right to stall congestion pricing; she realizes that the economy is fragile.)

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

If this year wasn’t an election year, we’d see an interest rate cut earlier, likely in the fall. But we won’t; there is too much at stake to mix politics with finance, and the Fed typically doesn’t make a change within 100 days of Election Day.

This “election delay” will cost the economy more of a divot than it should. Nationwide, projects that were hoping for an earlier reprieve on interest rates have come to a stop. The resounding message is, wait for that winter Fed action. On a project with significant value - let’s say $10-$20 million - it’s not worth starting any sooner.

Meanwhile, due to a tighter economy, we are seeing pricing stabilize, or what the Fed calls “slowing inflation.”

These factors tell me that the Fed won’t take action until the end of the year, after Election Day, or about five months later than I think it should.

AN UNSTEADY INTERNATIONAL MARKET

There is no greater threat to our national security than financial instability. The U.S has always maintained its strength as a world influence through financial power, which in turn supports military power. A shift in power from the West to the East will force a need for economic independence here in the United States, as it has in the past.

As the Fed’s goal to stall inflation was designed to slow the economy, its new goal will be to reboot economic growth. In many cases, the inflation we saw was created by two factors:

1. The federal government’s gifting of money during the pandemic. This created wealth that was not supported by a natural free market economy. We are still in that correction.

2. A bottleneck of stalled construction projects all coming back online when money was cheap and materials didn’t exist.

The result: Supply chain deficiency and huge inflation. Most of these issues have since leveled out. The free money is gone, and the supply chain is mostly restored.

That means dropping rates won’t trigger inflation again. Repatriation of what was once overseas manufacturing will require capital and investment; rates need to come down to support this growth and private investment. This gives the Fed yet another reason to reduce rates this winter.

So we wait. The summer may seem long, and autumn endless. But challenges make strong sailors. We will get through. In fact, I feel a light breeze in the sails.

Commercial Industrial Pharmaceutical Healthcare

• Process Piping

• Pipe Prefabrication

• Plumbing

• Heating/Ventilation/Air-Conditioning

• High Purity Orbital Welding

• Clean Room Pipe Prefabrication

• Institutional Lab Plumbing

• Data Center HVAC

• Engineering/Design Build

• BIM/Drafting

• QA/QC

• Service/Repair/Maintenance

Schools (and the Construction Industry) WIN when Voters Approve Capital Projects

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Summer may be a quiet time for students and teachers, but a flurry of regional capital projects should keep contractors, architects and skilled labor busy.

Facilities improvements propositions were on the ballot alongside annual budgets - voters throughout New York went to the polls May 21 - in districts throughout the Hudson Valley, paving the way for new construction and renovations.

With the spending now approved, districts such as Washingtonville — where voters soundly approved a $43.4 million capital project — will begin what can be a years-long process from approval to student-ready completion. Meanwhile, work is underway in districts whose capital projects passed in prior votes, ramping up activity as soon as the dismissal bell of the school year rings and the buildings are empty of students.

“We are thankful to the Washingtonville community for their support and voting to approve next year’s budget and our capital project,”

Superintendent Larry Washington said the morning after the successful vote. “Both the budget and capital project are key to making sure we continue to foster success with our students and schools.”

In New York’s public schools, capital projects can include everything from cafeteria renovations to athletic field upgrades to installing air conditioning in a vintage elementary school. Financed with public funds — typically a combination of local tax revenue and state aid — the expenditures, like the annual school budget, must be approved by district voters. Some school districts will present a capital project alongside their spending plan on the third Tuesday in May, when all budget votes and school board elections are held; others will schedule a separate election day for a capital project vote.

Once the spending is approved, the district will move forward with detailed plans, which must then be submitted to the New York State Department of Education for review. Projects are then put out to bid. Building permits, environ-

mental reviews, building aid, and school boards and administrators too, are part of the equation. Then there is the challenge of scheduling work, which must be done without disrupting the academic calendar. For many projects, the first day of students’ summer vacation often also marks the first day of construction or demolition performed under a strict schedule and precise choreography.

As a result, the period between a successful vote and breaking ground in all but the smallest of projects can be measured in years, not months, with much of the wait due to the NYS Education Department backlog of plan reviews. As of June 2024, the average time for final architectural review is about 24-weeks, and engineering reviews can be a bit longer. During the COVID-19 pandemic school shutdowns and the years immediately following, the wait was even longer.

When School’s Out, Hardhats are On

Here’s a small sampling of the capital projects recently approved or underway in the Hudson Valley. A comprehensive list of all school capital projects and their status is available on the NYS Education Department’s Facilities Planning website at www.p12.nysed.gov/FacPlan.

MONROE WOODBURY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | $98 MILLION

In December 2023, district residents approved a $98 million capital project that addresses infrastructure improvements in all seven school buildings and five non-instructional buildings.

Project highlights include:

• Boiler replacement in five schools

• Installation of security vestibules in three schools

• Electrical panel upgrades

Replacement of roofs, ladders and access hatches in four schools

Restoration of masonry walls and exterior wall facades; brick repair at several buildings

A new structure at the athletic complex with public restrooms, concessions and storage

Replacement of tennis courts, which will be lined for pickleball

Upgrades to technology classrooms and lab refurbishment

• Auditorium refurbishment

NEW ROCHELLE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | $10 MILLION

New Rochelle: This spring voters approved two propositions: one to spend $10 million from the capital reserve fund to renovate the high school pool and various maintenance work in the district’s 10 schools and the district office.

NEWBURGH ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | $198 MILLION

Newburgh’s ambitious capital bond was passed in May 2019, and the extensive construction, renovations and upgrades are expected to continue through 2027.

The most current work includes the career and technical education (CTE) building. Site work was completed, and construction contracts were expected to be awarded in July. If all goes as planned, the building will welcome students in September 2026 with a CTE program aligned with labor trends and the projected job market, school officials say. Possible offerings include HVAC, welding, electrical, plumbing, construction business and marketing, early childhood education and computer science.

Also underway is the Heritage Middle School Site Circulation Project, which has a target completion date of Aug. 30 and involves new asphalt at the main entry, new vehicle lanes, a new sidewalk and upgrades to the entrance road.

ORANGE-ULSTER BOCES | $159 MILLION

Voters who live in school district’s served by Orange-Ulster BOCES in 2022 narrowly approved a sweeping $159 capital project to add instructional areas and upgrade infrastructure at the Gibson Hill and Arden Hill campuses. Project highlights include:

Gibson Road Campus, Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC): The entire building is being updated, with improved interior circulation, a new security entrance, and with a new specialty instructional wing with a video studio, advanced electrical labs, an aeronautics classroom and a fitness/assembly space.

Arden Hill Campus: Conversion of space from health care to educational use and the addition of a physical education facility.

Gibson Road Campus, Axelrod Building: Building upgrades with more space for special education programs; conversion of administrative space to instructional space and a new consolidated security entrance and administrative suite.

The project was divided into three phases, the first of which is underway. Walls have been framed, and HVAC units, plumbing and heating feeders installed, and sprinkler systems in the works.

Bid documents for Phases 2 and 3 were scheduled to be open and awarded in May and June of this year, with work expected to begin over the summer.

SOUTH ORANGETOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | $50 MILLION

District voters just approved an expenditure of $1.7 million to replace boilers at Tappan Zee High School, part of a $50 million capital improvement project launched and approved in March 2022.

The overall project is divided into phases, with all work expected to be completed by Fall 2027.

Current work underway includes:

• Classroom renovations, including new HVAC and control systems, upgrades to lighting, ceilings, flooring, casework and plumbing, additional electrical and data outlets and security enhancements

• Entrance security redesign

• Auditorium renovation

• Outdoor classrooms, fitness paths and field renovations

WASHINGTONVILLE

CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | $43.5 MILLION

In May 2024, Washingtonville School District voters approved a combined $43.5 million capital project that was presented in two successful propositions. The district has five schools; a high school, a middle school and three elementaries.

Projecthighlightsinclude:

• ● In kitchens, upgrade kitchen mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; replace flooring; replace equipment

Proposition2maintains,updates,andenhances facilities in Washingtonville’s five schools.

• Replacement of windows, electrical switchboards and panels, elevators, exhaust fans, water heaters, septic systems and heating systems

• ● Fire/carbon monoxide alarm systems upgrades

• ● Grounds:Turffields;replacecourtyarddoor canopies and improve drainage; improve fencing, pavement, and sidewalks

• ● Bathroom renovations

• Repair, replace and abate floors

• Roofing repairs Proposition 3 is for pool and playground improvements, including upgrades to the pool mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, the renovation of pool locker rooms, and upgrades at the elementary playgrounds.

Safety Roundup

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Fall Hazards Net NJ Contractor $215K Penalty

Two North Jersey construction contractor companies

– Primetime Construction and Primetime Contractors of Paterson, its subsidiary – will pay $215,000 in penalties to resolve violations that exposed workers to fall hazards.

The settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor also requires the employers to undertake the following enhanced abatement measures:

• Conduct a pre-job hazard assessment for each job.

• Ensure field employees receive at least 10-hours and supervisors receive at least 30-hour OSHA training.

• Require subcontractors to document, with photographs, that compliant handrails and stair rails are in place.

• Retain a safety consultant to conduct periodic worksite audits.

• Notify OSHA of upcoming projects.

The Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initially cited Primetime Contractors for four willful violations that occurred in September 2021 after inspectors found the employer repeatedly failed to ensure stairways at worksites had handrails and stair rails, even after being counseled about the safety requirements.

Said OSHA Area Director Lisa Levy, “This agreement commits Primetime Construction LLC and Primetime Contractors LLC to correct their previously cited hazards and invest in significant and measurable practices and improvements designed to prevent falls, the deadliest hazard in construction work, and result in safer workplaces for their employees.”

Heat Safety Rules Advance as Labor Dept. Steps Up Enforcement

The Department of Labor is moving closer to publishing a proposed rule to reduce the significant health risks of heat exposure for U.S. workers.

“OSHA is working aggressively to develop a new regulation that keeps workers safe from the dangers of heat,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “As we move through the required regulatory process for creating these protections, OSHA will use all of its existing tools to hold employers responsible when they fail to protect workers from known hazards such as heat.”

OSHA presented the draft rule’s initial regulatory framework at an April meeting of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. The committee, which advises the agency on safety and health standards, unanimously recommended OSHA move forward on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. As part of the process the agency will seek input from stakeholders and the public at-large.

In the meantime, OSHA continues to educate employers and workers and hold businesses accountable for violations of OSHA’s general duty clause and other applicable regulations. Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands suffer illnesses related to hazardous heat exposure.

The agency continues to conduct inspections under its National Emphasis Program – Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards. Since the 2022 launch OSHA has conducted nearly 5,000 such inspections.

By law, employers must protect workers from the dangers of heat exposure and should have a proper safety and health plan in place. At a minimum,

employers should provide adequate cool water, rest breaks and shade or a cool rest area. Employees who are new or returning to a high heat workplace should be allowed time to gradually get used to working in hot temperatures. Workers and managers should also be trained to identify and help prevent heat illness.

The U.S. experienced its hottest-ever summer in 2023.

“No worker should have to get sick or die because their employer refused to provide water, or breaks to recover from high heat, or failed to act after a worker showed signs of heat illness,” Parker added.

Staying Safe in the Trenches

Each summer, the National Utility Contractors Association urges employers to discuss trench and excavation hazards and reinforce the importance of protective systems.

In 2022, 39 workers died while working in trenches or excavations.

Employers must provide a workplace free of recognized hazards and comply with the trenching and excavation requirements of 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652 or comparable OSHA-approved state plan requirements.

Soil can weigh as much as 140 lbs. per cubic foot; one cubic yard can weigh as much as a small pickup truck. If a person is buried there is little chance of survival.

Many factors can affect soil stability, such as the type of soil, water, and vibration. Soils saturated with water and previously disturbed soils are very dangerous to work in or around.

But don’t be fooled, even hard soil and rock that appears stable can cave in. Therefore, always be sure that the trench walls are sloped, shored, or shielded with a trench box and that the trench is safe before you enter.

Before entering a trench, the competent person at the jobsite must inspect the trench and the protection system to ensure it is safe. There are recorded incidents of people buried and killed in trenches 3- to 4-ft. deep, so even shallow trenches must be inspected.

About half of the people killed each year in trenches die trying to rescue someone buried by a cave-in. Call 911,and only attempt rescue if you have been properly trained in trench rescue techniques.

Trench Safety Tips

• Only enter trenches that have been sloped at the proper angle, shored or shielded.

• Eliminate or control water accumulation before entering.

• Do not permit vehicles near the trench edge.

• Never allow machines to run unattended.

• Use a ladder or ramp to get in and out of the trench. Place the ladder inside the protective system.

• Never climb on shoring or shields.

• Never ride in equipment buckets or on crane hooks.

• Wear a hard hat.

• Stay out from under raised loads.

Fake Safety Cards Linked to Fatal Fall

Valor Security & Investigations, a construction safety company, has been charged with issuing thousands of fraudulent safety cards in a scheme that endangered construction workers and the general public, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said.

Valor was, investigators say, a “sham safety training school” that issued safety cards to as many as 20,000 students. It’s alleged that the training never happened, and one construction worker the school falsely claimed to have trained fell to his death.

The indictment includes six Valor executives and employees. An additional 19 people, including a NYCHA foreman and two master plumbers, are charged with connecting people seeking safety certification to VALOR. These “brokers” had payment arrangements with Valor to obtain safety cards - often backdated — within days or even the same day.

“In the construction industry, fraud can mean life or death, not only for the individuals working on the site, but for the general public that moves around them every single day,” said Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg, Jr., adding, “We will not let harm come to workers because companies want to turn a quick profit.”

Valor; its President Alexander Shaporov, 40; Training Director Richard Marini, 70; Instructor Eliot Sosinov, 44; General Manager Nigina Zokirova, 24; Compliance Director Marina Balzer, 28; and Director of Business Development Rimma Chakhalyan, 24; are all charged with enterprise corruption.

Shaporov, Marini and Zokirova are further charged with reckless endangerment in the death of Ivan Frias, who died in a 2022 scaffold fall. VALOR, investigators say, falsely certified that Frias completed 10 hours of training, including fall protection.

According to court documents, VALOR claimed to have trained thousands of students between 2019 and 2023, charging $300 to $600 for safety cards. Records show nearly $1 million in Zelle payments deposited into Shaporov’s personal account in amounts consistent with the cost of the courses.

Also alleged:

• VALOR filed false documents claiming that trainers taught classes in Brooklyn when the trainers were actually in Florida, Connecticut, Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

• VALOR filed documents claiming to have given safety training to hundreds of students despite video surveillance showing empty classrooms.

• Undercover investigators purchased safety certificates without taking any classes.

New York City requires construction workers at major sites to complete 40 hours of Site Safety Training. If the NYC Department of Buildings finds workers on such sites without proper training, the owner, permit holder or employer can face fines of up to $5,000 per worker.

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 137

JEFF

JAMES

MIKE

JOHN

JAMES

SEAN

BUSINESS MANAGER

PRESIDENT/BUS. AGENT

VICE PRESIDENT/BUS. AGENT

RECORDING CORR. SECRETARY

TREASURER/TRAINING DIRECTOR

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

ASSISTANT TRAINING DIRECTOR

Executive Board

Waging War: Why Ignorance of Wage Theft is No Excuse

By Matt DeSarno

Does it matter that many, if not most, of the contractors that engage in wage theft do so unknowingly? Not at all. But new technology solutions can help you avoid it altogether.

In my 20-year FBI career I faced off against gang members, drug traffickers, international terrorists, cybercriminals and corrupt politicians. It was fulfilling work, even though I knew there would always be more criminals and my job would never be done. I enjoyed taking small steps every day to make things better.

That approach has prepared me well for my new challenge: Fighting the massive problem of wage theft in the $2.7-trillion U.S. construction industry.

A $50-BILLION PROBLEM

Wage theft is the illegal practice of not paying employees the full wages or benefits they are entitled to. This can take many forms, such as failing to pay overtime, misclassifying employees as independent contractors or making improper deductions from an employee’s pay.

This isn’t as high-profile a crime as, say, ransomware attacks, but it has a far greater impact. While ransomware theft is estimated to cost companies $11.5 billion globally, wage theft in the United States alone costs workers more than $50 billion per year, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

That’s more than the annual cost of robberies, burglaries and car thefts combined. Notice, too, how that $50-billion loss affects all Americans, not just laborers. Stolen wages are taken out of circulation, out of the economy and out of the tax base.

Every month, it seems, there are new headlines illustrating the depth of the crisis:

• In November, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office settled a lawsuit with Calcrete Construction for $1 million over violations of overtime and paid sick leave law.

• In December, Minnesota regulators announced they are seeking $2.4 million in back wages and damages for construction workers in a case against two subcontractors.

• In January, Colorado lawmakers introduced a bill to crack down on a construction industry they say has been “polluted by wage theft.”

These examples emphasize the urgency for collaborative action and innovative solutions to protect workers’ rights and ensure fair compensation—and to also protect contractors from legal risk and reputational damage.

WHY IT MATTERS

For construction leaders, wage theft is a strategic liability with far-reaching consequences, both legally and reputationally. This is especially frustrating because in many, if not most, cases general contractors do not knowingly engage in wage theft. They simply have limited visibility into the labor practices of their numerous subcontractors.

Either way, employers risk serious criminal and civil penalties as well as reputational damage. In a recent Verfico survey on wage theft, for example, fewer than half of U.S. adults found it credible that “employers

— CEO, Verfico Technology

sometimes commit wage theft by mistake,” meaning that when mistakes do occur, many Americans will not give construction companies the benefit of the doubt.

Respondents said that when construction companies practice wage theft, it makes them concerned about other aspects of those companies’ operations. Specifically: Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72 percent) said they worried that construction companies that committed wage theft would cut other corners as well.

Many respondents also said they worried these practices would result in slower construction times (53 percent), lower-quality work (49 percent) and a negative impact on communities that rely on construction jobs (63 percent).

For the great majority of general contractors that demonstrate honesty and ethics, the importance of eliminating wage theft extends beyond legal and reputational considerations. It has significant financial implications as well.

Those companies that cheat not only discredit the industry, they also have an unfair advantage over legitimate companies. Stamping out wage theft levels the playing field among competitors.

TIDE-TURNING TECHNOLOGY

While politicians in Washington and in statehouses across the country have been introducing legislation and tightening regulations around wage theft, I don’t believe this approach is what’s best for preventing wage theft in the construction industry. A better direction is to develop market-based solutions driven by technology.

This is not the most natural path for an industry that has traditionally been slow in adopting new technologies. But this reluctance or delay in embracing

technological solutions can impair the ability to effectively tackle complex issues like wage theft. By integrating innovative tech solutions, companies can monitor, track and reconcile wages in real time, thereby preventing incidents of wage theft and reducing the likelihood of legal and reputational damage.

Technological solutions in this context serve a dual purpose: They not only protect companies from legal risks, but also promote a culture of fairness and ethical treatment of the workforce. By ensuring that workers are paid what they are owed, companies can foster a more positive work environment, leading to higher productivity and employee satisfaction.

Taking a proactive approach to technology solutions while collaborating with other interested parties on the topic of wage theft, such as the government and advocacy groups, is the best way forward for the construction industry to lead in solving this long standing issue. Ultimately, all stakeholders must work together to ensure the future of the construction industry is rooted in fairness and just compensation for all.

A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Rebuilding trust in the construction industry requires a deliberate commitment to transparency, collaboration and tech-driven solutions. By embracing these principles, construction leaders can not only mitigate the risks and costs associated with wage theft but also build a more productive, efficient and sustainable workforce. This, in turn, leads to improved project outcomes, enhanced client satisfaction and a stronger reputation for the industry as a whole.

The future of construction, like the buildings it creates, must rest on a solid foundation of fairness, integrity and shared prosperity.

Matt DeSarno is an accomplished leader responsible for guiding all aspects of Verfico. With a distinguished 27-year career, Matt’s experience spans various sectors. He served as a senior executive with the FBI for 20 years, culminating in his role as the Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office. Reprinted from Construction Executive, (February 2024) a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.

Party Talk: The Pitfalls of Discussing Politics at Work

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

Here’s a news flash: Politics can be polarizing.

Whether political beliefs are discussed around the dinner table, at a party or in a grocery store, it is generally a lose/lose situation. Not many people’s opinions will be swayed by another’s viewpoint and, more often than not, both parties walk away shaking their heads and grumbling about the other’s beliefs.

In some cases, the results can be more devastating when friendships or family relationships are severed due to what appear to be conflicting core values.

This polarization is exactly why political discussions, rhetoric and displays must be managed in the workplace. With a particularly contentious presidential election looming, now is the time to set some ground rules.

In case you think political discussions are not happening within your workforce, think again. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 26 percent of Americans admit to discussing politics at work; 43 percent have had a political disagreement at work, and 51 percent believe these discussions hurt the work environment.

Having said that, management needs to make sure that they are not the ones introducing these discussions in the workplace. Comments regarding candidates, policies and party affiliation might be off the cuff and not even directed at any particular employee, but the mood is set. Even when a manager is talking politics over the phone, if these conversations are overheard the employees may very well feel uncomfortable if they don’t have the same beliefs.

Another consideration is businesses may publicly support or disagree with candidates, political parties and issues. This support might be in the way of political ads, fundraisers or donations. If employees are not in agreement with the company’s views, the result may be a disengaged workforce. Banning employees from offering different opinions is counterproductive.

So what is the company to do? While it might appear that prohibiting political discussions is the answer, that is probably not the smartest tactic. As media and public announcements bombard our political senses, people will talk.

And while the First Amendment right to free speech does not generally apply to the private sector, it is probably a better solution to put some framework around how to manage the discussions rather than banning them.

As always, I recommend presenting the team with the guidelines at a staff meeting. This gives everyone a chance to ask questions and offer opinions and gives management the ability to address concerns.

The rules should include:

• The workplace should be a peaceful, collaborative and constructive environment. For that reason, political discussions should be minimal.

• While differing viewpoints are normal, be respectful. Personal attacks will not be tolerated. Listening to another’s viewpoint is a learning experience and should be treated as such.

• When there are clients or customers in the workplace, politics should be avoided. If the customer or client starts the discussion, employees should politely disengage.

• Political propaganda should not be displayed. That includes clothing, hats, posters or anything that might create a hostile or disruptive work environment.

There are examples of policies regarding political discussions in the workplace online. It is advisable that a company introduce the policy at the meeting and incorporate it into the employee manual, if applicable.

AND DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

New York State Election Law was amended in 2020 and outlines when an employee is entitled to paid time off to vote. (Source: www.elections.ny.gov/time-vote).

New York State employees are eligible for up to two hours of paid time off if they do not have “sufficient time to vote.” Sufficient time means:

• The employee has four consecutive hours to vote either from the opening of the polls to the beginning of their work shift, or

• The employee has four consecutive hours between the end of a working shift and the closing of the polls.

While two hours is the maximum, the amount of paid time off required for an employee to vote must be determined on a case-by-case basis; wait times, traffic, and other factors may vary wildly.

In addition, a notice must be displayed. The law requires that, “Not less than ten working days before every election, every employer shall post conspicuously in the place of work where it can be seen as employees come or go to their place of work, a notice setting forth the provisions of this section. Such notice shall be kept posted until the close of the polls on election day.”

We’ve provided a copy of the notice in On the Level (see opposite page). It’s also available here: www. elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/08/ timeofftovotenotice.pdf.

ATTENTION ALL EMPLOYEES TIME ALLOWED

N.Y. ELECTION LAW SECTION 3-110I STATES THAT AT:

• If you do not have 4 consecutive hours to vote, either from the opening of the polls to the beginning of your working shift, or between the end of your working shift and the closing of the polls, you may take off up to 2 hours, without loss of pay, to allow you time to vote if you are a registered voter.

• You may take time off at the beginning or end of your working shift, as your employer may designate, unless otherwise mutually agreed.

• You must notify your employer not less than 2 days, but not more than 10 days, before the day of the election that you will take time off to vote.

i Employers: Not less than ten working days before any Election Day, every employer shall post conspicuously in the place of work where it can be seen as employees come or go to their place of work, a notice setting forth the provisions of this law. Such notice shall be kept posted until the close of the polls on Election Day. Revised 4.14.2020

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. This notice must be displayed by employers “where it can be seen as employees come and go” at least 10 working days before an election and kept posted until polls close on election day.

Opportunities Emerge for Robust Investments in Hudson Valley

By Greg Sousa Executive Vice President Chief Lending Officer Orange Bank & Trust Company

The Hudson Valley business community has good reason to be optimistic as we move through the third quarter of 2024, with all signs pointing toward a healthy recovery and new opportunities for robust investments.

Collaboration and innovation continue to position the Hudson Valley for growth, with contractors, developers and other members of the commercial real estate sector strengthening our region’s foundation.

As we navigate an ever-shifting economic landscape, however, it’s important to stay abreast of the latest trends and opportunities within the lending environment.

A VIEW OF THE LENDING LANDSCAPE

Over the past two years, we’ve seen some banks scaling back on funding and lending activities, causing a ripple effect in the marketplace. As a result, other lenders have seized the opportunity to step in and fill the void. This dynamic shift has led to an increase in credit requests as contractors and developers seek new financial partners.

While borrowing costs remain elevated, particularly in the commercial real estate sector, construction lending has remained steady. Short-term financing, typically spanning 12 to 24 months, is prevalent, underpinned by the prime rate serving as a benchmark.

One sector that continues to be profitable is new housing construction, buoyed by rising home prices and demand, which are helping to offset the impact of increased borrowing costs. Rising rents in our region also have provided a cushion against commercial rate hikes, presenting opportunities for new projects and investments.

The current outlook indicates a potential cut in interest rates by the fourth quarter, depending on economic indicators and market dynamics. The prospect of a gradual decline in permanent rates over the next 18 months, per anticipated actions by the Federal Reserve, bodes well for ongoing and future construction projects. However, prudent risk-management practices are integral to project viability amid market uncertainties.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE REGION

There are a few sectors in the Hudson Valley that are emerging as growth hotspots. Multifamily projects – particularly those catering to the over-55 demographic – are on the rise, and spec homebuilding and subdivision developments in Westchester and Orange counties present lucrative prospects.

Industrial warehouse spaces, especially along key transportation corridors and in strategic locations like Orange County, are in high demand. Storage facilities are emerging as a profitable investment option as well, albeit with a longer ramp-up period, driven by sustained demand from shifting consumer behaviors.

Hospitality is another sector with strong potential for growth, especially in upstate destinations that have been impacted positively by pandemic-driven travel trends. Office space, while experiencing moderate vacancy rates, continues to present financing challenges due to longer leasing cycles.

STRATEGIES TO MANAGE RISK

While there are no guarantees in life or in business, doing your due diligence can go a long way toward managing risk and maximizing profitability. Here are a few key things to keep in mind when seeking new projects or ventures:

Focus on Profitability

Avoid bidding solely for the sake of securing projects. Ensure bids are comprehensive, profitable and aligned with your capabilities.

Know Your Partners

Collaborate with reliable partners who have adequate credit facilities to support project completion.

Be Clear on Scope

Prioritize understanding the project scope thoroughly to minimize unforeseen expenses and maximize profitability.

Mitigate Risk:

Be cautiously optimistic and conduct rate shock assessments to hedge against potential market fluctuations.

In times marked by digital advancements, partnerships and personalized services are more valuable than ever. 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. We manage more than $2.3 billion in assets and more than 60 percent of our loans support the commercial real estate sector.

The Hudson Valley is well-positioned for growth, fueled by innovation and industry leadership. Staying on top of market trends, fostering strategic partnerships, managing risk and prioritizing relationship-building are key to navigating the complexities of an evolving economic landscape.

Is Fear of COVID a Basis for a Workers’ Comp. Claim: The Sequel

By Barry Lovell — President, Lovell Safety Management Co., LLC.

Last summer I wrote about a train conductor who filed a workers’ compensation claim for anxiety and depression. The claimant alleged that the fear of contracting COVID-19 had caused their condition, and that they should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

The Third Department of the New York Court of Appeals rejected this claim citing long standing precedent. In order for a psychological stress claim to be considered compensable, the incident or circumstances that caused the claim must be materially different than the stressors that similarly situated employees regularly experience.

In the midst of a global pandemic, the court reasoned, all publicfacing transit workers faced similar exposure.

What a difference a year makes.

In a case involving an elementary school teacher with pre-existing bronchitis and asthma, the Third Department found that the existing standard somehow violated the principle that there must be parity between physical and psychological claims.

The teacher in question returned to work in September 2020. Shortly after her return, another teacher tested positive, and the school was closed. Though the

claimant experienced cold symptoms, she never tested positive for COVID. The school was set to reopen at the beginning of October. The claimant filed for benefits prior to school reopening, alleging that as a result of her exposure to COVID she sustained psychological injuries. Both the Law Judge and the Workers’ Compensation Board disallowed the claim, arguing that the teacher’s circumstances were not different than any other employee.

Is Fear of COVID a basis for a Workers’ Comp. Claim: The

The standard for establishing a claim for COVID occurring in and out of the course of employment, based upon prior decisions, could rely on the “prevalence test.” In other words, a worker only had to show that COVID was present in their workplace, not insurmountable evidence of exactly how they were infected, to receive benefits if COVID caused their disability. The Third Department decided to apply the prevalence test to this psychological anxiety injury. The court also argued that prior precedent also compelled the Workers’ Compensation Board to give due consideration to the particular fragilities of every claimant.

This is a terrible decision. The ruling reverses long standing precedent regarding stress claims in the workplace and introduces an extremely subjective standard for establishing cases. As a matter of public policy, the workers’ compensation system was established to address injury to workers that occur as a result of fortuitous circumstances in and out of the course of employment and was never intended to be a remedy for common issues that all workers’ face as a mere result of employment. Those issues, from a public policy perspective, have been more properly addressed in the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws that seek to balance the needs of employers with the skills and abilities of employees.

The court’s ruling recalled another decision regarding workplace stress in the face of unprecedented circumstances. After the World Trade Center tragedy, the Workers’ Compensation Board was presented with the case of an employee who claimed that their anxiety and fear prevented them from returning to work. The claimant’s place of work was near ground zero, but she had not been working that day. “While the claimant is clearly deserving of sympathy, the claimant’s reaction cannot be found compensable merely because she worked in a building near the terrorist attack, since… she was not at work, and was merely a spectator, like so many other horrified Americans.”

Construction Insurance is More Expensive than Ever.

Here’s How to Control Costs

By Tom Zupan, CPA, MBA Client Advisory Partner, RBT CPA’s, LLP

Recent years saw surges in the cost of insurance due to inflation, interest rates, the skilled labor market (or lack thereof), supply chain issues, and an increase in lawsuits and related six, seven, and eight figure awards.

While a couple of sources indicate the construction contractor insurance market may be stabilizing, there are other rumblings about continuing and emerging challenges specific to New York.

In the U.S., rates for workers’ compensation coverage appear to be the most grounded, especially for contractors with a favorable loss history. While some in this situation may see premiums stay flat or increase slightly, average increases are expected to be around 5 percent.

Meanwhile, rates for general liability coverage and umbrella policy rate increases are expected to increase between 5 percent and 15 percent, while commercial auto coverage may average a 10 percent to 15 percent increase. (Source: WTW. Insurance Marketplace Realities Spring Update 2024. May 8, 2024.)

It will be interesting to see how this translates to coverage in New York, where some sources indicate contractors should prepare for double-digit increases upon renewal and potentially face a harder time securing coverage, especially if they have a history of losses.

A new report by the New York Civil Justice Institute asserts, “Construction insurance costs are highest in New York, representing 12.5 percent of a project’s cost versus 2.5 percent in nearby states like CT, NJ, and PA.”

It names the litigious environment and state laws for minimum insurance as two of the main cost drivers. It also says, “New York State is the most expensive insurance market in the country. In nearly every category of insurance coverage - from medicine to construction – insurance premiums (and the losses that drive them) are higher in New York than any other state in the United States.”

With a growing number of insurers paying out more in claims, verdicts, and settlements than what they receive in premiums in New York, there’s concern that more insurers will exit the market and leave people and businesses struggling to find coverage and keep it. Some are even calling it a crisis.

When it comes to escalating premiums for contractors in New York, many blame the state’s Scaffold Law (which holds contractors 100 percent liable for gravity-related injuries) for enabling dubious lawsuits and nuclear awards. While there is currently a bill making its way through the NY Assembly that would make staged construction site falls a felony, the push for reform has been an uphill battle for several years.

As the situation continues to play out in board rooms, court rooms, and on legislative floors, a two-pronged strategy focused on coverage and culture may help contractors manage insurance premiumsand increases - while protecting their businesses, employees, and brand.

When it comes to coverage, it’s tempting to offset insurance premium increases with higher deductibles, lower coverage and more exclusions. Be sure to balance

these considerations with what increased risks and exposure can mean to your business.

Other ways to try and manage these costs include starting to shop around early (i.e., 90 days before a renewal); leveraging programs available through professional affiliations; and seeing if discounts are available for paying in full upfront rather than monthly. While some insurers, especially those new in the market, may make enticing offers, be sure to research rankings, customer experiences, customer service, and financial ability to cover losses before moving ahead.

As for culture, make safety an innate part of how you do business. Ensure recruiting processes help you hire

the right people with the right skills and experience. Yes, it’s tough in today’s labor market but worth the extra effort. Do your background research on subcontractors and work with legal counsel to make sure contracts address safety, injuries, and indemnification. Consider hiring a safety/risk manager to develop and oversee comprehensive safety plans for people, facilities, and equipment. Explore how technologies like drones, robotics and wearables may mitigate loss while improving your risk profile.

Finally, keep an eye on developments. With so many factors influencing the New York contractor insurance arena, staying informed can help you make sound decisions for your business and employees.

Zupan is a partner in RBT’s client advisory department, where he focuses almost entirely on the Construction Industry Practice.

Tom

CCA Hosts Annual Dinner Meeting

Guest speaker Aaron Hilger, SMACNA CEO, predicts more work ahead for union contractors

Aaron Hilger, CEO, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, delivered some optimistic news to the CCA membership at the organization’s annual dinner meeting.

“This is a pretty exciting time to be a union contractor,” said Hilger, who was the event’s guest speaker, adding that it’s also a pretty challenging time.

Union membership, he said, has declined, in part, he said, because recruitment slowed.

“We didn’t have jobs for them,” he said, noting that in 1983, about 20 percent of the workforce was in a union, compared to 10 percent in 2023.

But things are turning around, he said. Millions of people are retiring at a time when work is poised to pick up and keep everyone busy and creating a need for even more skilled workers. Unprecedented federal investments in infrastructure and scores of megaprojects — in industries such as energy, technology and auto batteries — are on the horizon and will create decades of work.

“You should be busy. The numbers are up. It’s certainly looking like a positive time” he said, adding, “if you’re a union member or a union contractor (the times) are quite extraordinary, by far the most friendly we’ve ever seen.” The climate in Washington D.C., he said, is

supportive and “awesome to work with. They want to help union contractors.”

Government mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) on most large-scale federal projects, is another boon to union workers and contractors, Higler said. The final rule, announced in December 2023, requires the use of PLAs for large Federal construction projects where total estimated cost to the Federal Government is $35 million or more (with limited exceptions). According to a White House statement, the PLA final rule could provide nearly 200,000 workers the benefit of collectively bargained wages, benefits and safety protections.

“That’s a drastic change in federal policy,” he said.

One challenge facing New York, upstate especially, is the need for energy. Often, he said, local municipalities “aren’t prepared to grow,” and could miss out on opportunities if crucial infrastructure isn’t available to support development.

The CCA Annual Dinner Meeting was held May 7, 2024 at the Powelton Club, Newburgh. For information about upcoming CCA events visit www.CCAHV.com.

Aaron Hilger: Sheet Metal a Great Career for Recent Grads

Aaron Hilger recently penned this op-ed:

By Aaron Hilger CEO, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association

Interest among high school students is increasing dramatically in what is known as career and technical education (CTE) — courses that teach the skills needed for various in-demand industries, such as the construction building trades.

The most recent data show nearly 650,000 California students

enrolled in CTE classes in 2022, up from 370,000 students two years earlier. The trend stretches across the country. In Maine, enrollment in the state’s high school CTE courses has swelled, expanding offerings. In Illinois, enrollment in CTE surged to about 300,000 students last year.

“Some high school programs have had to turn away students due to lack of space,” says Chalkbeat, which tracks education trends. Interest in the trades among high schoolers comes at a critical time for at least one essential industry: Sheet metal and HVAC contracting.

With 35,000 highly skilled workers due to retire, the trade needs to fill an even larger pipeline of workers

who have completed registered apprenticeship programs accredited by the industry’s standards-setting organization and the Department of Labor. The pitfalls of a shortfall are significant.

Sheet metal contracting underpins the economy, delivering many construction projects such as commercial office towers, stadiums, hospitals, industrial plants, strip malls and data centers.

Nothing can be built without these workers and their employers. Sheet metal work is unique among the trades. It is the only one that takes raw materials and fabricates the architectural pieces, ductwork and HVAC systems they install. Because

the role requires full knowledge of the sheet metal lifecycle — from raw materials and fabrication to installation, testing and balancing — employees of unionized contractors must receive at least four years of registered apprentice training before they graduate to journeyperson status and can work on a job site without supervision.

The fate of hundreds of “megaprojects” planned in the United States, a mixture of large infrastructure and commercial projects, is of particular concern. These typically cost at least $1 billion and require thousands of workers to complete — enough to have a substantial economic effect on the regions where they are located. Their success hinges on a robust supply of sheet metal contractors who can meet exacting technical and safety standards.

The industry is working to attract young men and women by stressing

About Aaron Hilger

wage and benefit potential, capacity for career growth and opportunities to get paid while learning. For example, upon completing a union sheet metal apprenticeship program, apprentices can earn up to $87,500 in their first year and as much as $120,000 to $200,000 in wages and benefits within four to five years of graduating, depending on union affiliation, career path and location. In contrast, new hires in professional services earned $39,520 last year.

High school students opting for a CTE career track can also avoid college debt, which averages $34,000 for a four year bachelor’s degree. Instead, students can get paid for apprenticeships and enter the workforce with money in the bank and no college debt. The industry is working with Congress to ramp up the sheet metal worker pipeline by improving access to apprenticeship programs nationwide.

Meanwhile, companies are conducting “heavy metal” summer camps for high schoolers in which attendees are immersed in the sheet metal, piping and plumbing trades.

But as vital as the efforts are, more must be done. This means greater focus on apprentice programs to attract young people and a robust campaign to ensure high schoolers know the opportunities.

We need more schools like Lincoln High School’s Engineering and Construction Academy in Stockton, California, where enrollment is brimming and students are exposed to careers in numerous trades to meet the demand.

“I tell the kids that sheet metal work is one of the best trades they can go into,” says Jeff Wright, a founder of the school, part-time instructor and a former California Teacher of the Year. “It’s a no brainer.”

During Hilger’s term as CEO, SMACNA has embraced a member-centric approach focused on technological innovation, actively engaging in the regulatory and legislative process, and cultivating a strong partnership within the labor/management framework. In all of these capacities, Aaron remains committed to promoting the welfare of SMACNA members and the skilled trades as a whole.

Before assuming his role as CEO, Aaron was President & CEO of the Builders Exchange of Rochester. His work included leading a collective of 13 local and state-wide trade associations, including the Construction Industry Association of Rochester, SMACNA Rochester, the Roofers Industry Fund and New York State SMACNA.

Hat Tips!

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

Congratulations!

O&R Lauded for Tree Care, Management

For the 23rd year in a row, The Arbor Day Foundation has named Orange and Rockland Utilities a “Tree Line USA Utility.” O&R prunes an estimated 225,000 trees each year, a practice which helps prevent tree-related electric power outages. Tree contact is the primary cause of electric service interruptions in O&R’s heavily wooded 1,350 square-mile service area.

“Tree pruning is an integral part of keeping outages to a minimum and making storm restoration more efficient by managing the growth and maintenance of a healthier, more storm-resistant tree stock,” said Mark Beamish, a certified arborist and O&R’s Manager of Vegetation Management.

O&R’s efforts include training workers in tree-care practices and helping customers select appropriate trees to plant near utility lines.

Carpenters’ Banfield Named to Construction Power 100 List

Bill Banfield, Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer at North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, was named to City & State New York magazine’s 2024 Construction Power 100.

Banfield’s job is to help advocate for the more than 30,000 union carpenters his council represents, promote the carpentry trade and connect workers to the contractors who need them.

Last year, he took on protesters opposing the discharge of treated wastewater into the Hudson River as the Indian Point nuclear power plant is decommissioned. Banfield countered that the process is safe, protecting the union workers who would lose jobs if the project was halted.

Building Design+Construction Magazine Honors Holt

Annually, Building Design+Construction Magazine ranks the nation’s general contractors and construction management firms, and long-time CCA member Holt Construction made the list for both Laboratory and Workplace Interior spaces.

The publication’s Giants 400 Report ranks the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. and includes more than 130 rankings across 25 sectors and categories. View the full report at www.bdcnetwork.com.

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 Lane Goldens Bridge, NY 10526

Joel Foley jfoley@androncc.com androncc.com

Members since 1996

Barone Construction

845-691-2244

23 New Paltz Road Highland, NY 12528

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

Members since 2019

Beam Enterprises, Inc.

914-617-7699

3 Contorino Way, Bldg #2 Chester, NY 10918

Mike Adams mike@beamenterprisesinc.com

Members since 2021

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

Members since 2010

Darlind Associates, Inc.

845-223-5115

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

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

Members since 1990

Ferrari & Sons, Inc. 845-452-0387

195 Van Wagner Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Anthony Ferrari tony@ferrariandsonsinc.com ferrariandsonsinc.com Members since 1996

Helmer Cronin Construction, Inc. 845-942-1330

27 NY-210

Stony Point, NY 10980

Bill Helmer wfhelmer@helmercronin.com helmercronin.com

Members since 1971

Holt Construction Corp.

845-735-4054

50 East Washington Ave. Pearl River, NY 10965

Dan Depew ddepew@holtcc.com holtcc.com

Members since 1984

Key Construction Services 845-454-1192

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

Alfred Torreggiani adt@contactkcs.com keyconstructionservices.com

Members since 2006

LeChase Construction 914-741-1212

1 Labriola Court Armonk, NY 10504

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

Members since 2016

Paramount Building Construction 845-569-0970

28 Windsor Highway New Windsor, NY 12553

Joe Perez jperez@pbcinc.co pbcinc.co Members since 2017

Pike Co. 800-264-7453

1 Circle St. Rochester, NY 14607

Edward Kurowski kuroe@pikecos.com pikecos.com

Members since 2017

Profex, Inc.

845-565-8845

264 North Plank Road Newburgh, NY 12550

Roland Bloomer rbloomer@profexinc.net profexinc.net

Members since 1995

TDX Construction Corporation 212-279-1981

3 Manhattanville Road, Suite 104

Purchase, NY 10577

Joe Fitzpatrick jfitzpatrick@tdxconstruction.com tdxconstruction.com

Members since 2020

U.W. Marx 518-272-2541

20 Gurley Ave. Troy, NY 12182

Peter Marx pmarx@uwmarx.com Uwmarx.com

Members since 1986

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

Members since 2012

Schumacher Systems, Inc. 845-887-5381

1043 County Road 164 Callicoon, NY 12723

Kori Allen kallen@schumachersystems.com schumachersystem.com

Members since 1991

Tri-State Drywall and Acoustical 845-856-8400

183 Jersey Ave. Port Jervis, NY 12771

Charlotte Van Horn cvanhorn@tristatedrywall.net tsdainc.com

Members since 2006

Concrete

Darlind Associates, Inc. 845-223-5115

1540 Route 55, PO Box 130

LaGrangeville, NY 12540

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

Members since 1990

KCM Contracting Inc.

914-963-0390

1 Executive Blvd., Suite 410 Yonkers, NY 10701

Roxanne Guerrerio rguerrerio@kcmcontractinginc.com kcmcontracting.com

Members since 2021

PCC Contracting, Inc.

800-328-7816

1861 Chrisler Ave. Schenectady, NY 12303

Michael Lock mlock@pcccontracting.com pcccontracting.com Members since 2009

Ringler Construction, LLC

914-837-7400 PO Box 573 Fishkill NY 12524

Brad Ringler ringlerconstruction@gmail.com

Members since 2024

Sullivan Construction Group, LLC 845-640-2200

21 Allen Lane Bloomingburg, NY 12721

Anthony Perrello anthony@sullivancg.com sullivancg.com

Members since 2020

Demolition | Asbestos Abatement

Taylor-Montgomery, LLC

845-457-4021

350 Neelytown Road Montgomery, NY 12549

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

Members since 2020

Electrical

All Bright Electric 845-358-1200

100 Snake Hill Road West Nyack, NY 10994

Howard Hellman hhellman@allbrightelectric.com allbrightelectric.com Members since 2016

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

5 Jeanne Dr. Newburgh, NY 12550

Brendon Bergin bbergin@ej1899.com ej1899.com

Members since 2022

Perreca Electric 845-562-4080

520 Broadway Newburgh, NY 12550

Kurt Kaehler

kkaehler@perreca.com perreca.com

Members since 1986

Ray S. Pantel, Inc. 845-343-7250

71-73 Wisner Ave. Middletown, NY 10940

Ray Pantel ray@rayspantel.com

Members since 1997

Tri Co Electric of Goshen

845-294-8882

114 Hartley Road Goshen, NY 10924

Ann Kata ann@tamenterprises.com tamenterprises.com

Members since 2022

Upstate Electric 845-565-2026

501 Temple Hill Road New Windsor, NY 12553

Rich Schwarzbeck rich@upstateelectricny.com upstateelectricny.com

Members since 2017

Fire Protection | Insulation

Blackhawk Fire Suppression, LLC 845-590-5792

163 Brookside Farms Road, Suite 109 Newburgh, NY 12550

Ralph Diaz

r.diaz@blackhawkfiresuppression.com Members since 2023

DeBrino Caulking Associates 518-732-7234

1304 Route 9 Castleton, NY 12033

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

Members since 1988

Insulation Pro Inc. 845-629-4643

192 Plains Road Walden, NY 12586

Dominick DiViesti

insulationprony@gmail.com insulationprony.com

Members since 2023

Sullivan Fire Protection Corp. 845-434-4030

16 Railroad Plaza, P.O. Box 2021

South Fallsburg, NY 12779

Ira Gold sullivanfireira@gmail.com

Members since 2023

United Spray LLC 845-829-2688

3 Contorino Way, Bldg #1 Chester, NY 10918

Zack Adams zadams@unitedspray.com unitedspray.com

Members since 2021

Glass & Architectural Aluminum

Basec Corp. 845-795-1011

1978 Route 9W Milton, NY 12547

Emanuel Cauchi estimating@BasecCorp.com

Members since 2018

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 Road 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

Members since 2001

D.L. Flow Tech 845-265-2828 2421 Route 52

Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

Dennis LaVopa dmlavopa@dlflowtech.com dlflowtech.com

Members since 1997

EMF Technical Services, Inc. 914-747-1007

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

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

Members since 2003

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

395 Adams St. Bedford Hills, NY 10507

James Woodward office@jmhvac.com jmhvac.com

Members since 1995

MDS HVAC-R, Inc.

845-713-4598

192 Plains Road Walden, NY 12586

Dominic DiViesti domdiviesti@gmail.com Members since 2019

Petro Plumbing & Heating 845-561-3340

2989 Route 9W New Windsor, NY 12553

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

Members since 2023

Taconic Heating & Cooling 914-348-4751

9 Dogwood Road Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567

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

Members since 1998

Heavy Highway | Site

Argenio Brothers, Inc. 845-561-5102

2 Argenio Dr. New Windsor, NY 12553

Jerry Argenio ja@argeniobros.com argeniobros.com

Members since 1974

Butler Construction 845-769-7413

275 Union St. Montgomery, NY 12549

Eric Butler ebutler@butlerconstructiongroup.com butlerconstructiongroup.com Members since 2021

Callanan Industries 518-374-2222

8 Southwoods Blvd. Albany, NY 12211

Michael Mastropietro mmastropietro@callanan.com callanan.com

Members since 1986

D.A. Collins Construction 518-664-9855

269 Ballard Road Wilton, NY 12831

Aaron Tubbs dacestimating@dacollins.com dacollinscompanies.com Members since 2018

Petillo New York, LLC

845-610-9010

90 Crystal Run Road, Suite 400 Middletown, NY 10941

Michael Petillo mpetillo@petillo.com petillo.com

Members since 2023

Masonry

B. Miller Masonry, Inc. 845-769-7233

275 Union St. Montgomery, NY 12549

Bill Miller billmiller@bmillermasonry.com

Members since 2021

Casler Masonry, Inc. 315-253-8871

2080 Cranebrook Dr. Auburn, NY 13021

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

Members since 2015

James McGowan & Son Masonry 845-339-0329

5 Railroad Ave. Kingston, NY 12402

James McGowan jim@mcgowanmasonry.com mcgowanmasonry.com

Members since 2007

PCC Contracting, Inc. 800-328-7816

1861 Chrisler Ave. Schenectady, NY 12303

Michael Lock mlock@pcccontracting.com pcccontracting.com

Members since 2009

Mechanical

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

324 North Plank Road Newburgh, NY 12550

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

Members since 1988

Dynamic Systems

845-454-0600

417 Manchester Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Adam Weisburgh aweisburgh@cbstrain.com dsi.us

Members since

Hauser Brothers 845-359-1881

17 Old School Lane Orangeburg, NY 10962

Tim Hauser thauser@hauserbros.com hauserbros.com

Members since 2018

F&F Mechanical 203-239-7025

2 Dwight St. New Haven, CT 06473

John Ferrucci jferrucci@ffmechanical.com ffmechanical.com

Members since 2019

TAM Enterprises, Inc. 845-294-8882

1114 Hartley Rd. Goshen, NY 10924

Ann Kata ann@tamenterprises.com tamenterprises.com

Members since 2024

Turner Mechanical Service 203-544-8936

724 Danbury Road, Suite 3 Ridgefield, CT 06877

John Turner jturner@turnermechanical.com turnermechanicalservicesinc.com

Members since

Painting | Special Coating Pittman & Brown 845-561-1695

227 South Plank Road Newburgh, NY 12550

Jay Harrison pittbrown58@aol.com

Members since 2000

Rover Contracting 845-834-2620

251 Upper North Road Highland, NY 12528

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

Members since 2023

Sheet Metal | Roofing

Barrett Sheet Metal Inc. 203-744-2780

106 Mill Plain Road

Danbury, CT 06811

John Lucchesi

johnjr@barrettroofing.com barrettroofing.com

Members since 1998

Custom Exterior Systems

845-753-8070

12 Orange Turnpike Sloatsburg, NY 10974

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

Members since 2005

Ductmate Industries

724-258-0500

210 Fifth St. Charleroi, PA 15022

John Sorna jsorna@ductmate.com ductmate.com

Members since 2021

Harden Sheet Metal

845-562-6553

27 Johnes St. Newburgh, NY 12550

Dan Harden hardensheetmetal@hotmail.com

Members since 2001

H.T. Lyons Inc.

845-896-1145

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

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

Members since 2019

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-duct Members since 2023

Link Metal Finishing Corp. 914-737-9160

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

Ron Lacerte rrlink1@aol.com Members since 1996

RKB Sheet Metal 845-382-2010

15 Anaconda Dr. Lake Katrine, NY 12449

Richard K. Berg rberg@rkbsheetmetal.com Members since 1996

The YMI Group, Inc.

845-330-4200

2014 Route 9W Milton NY 12547

Al Youna ayouna@theymigroup.com theymigroup.com

Members since 2024

Steel Fabricators | Erectors | Rebar

Allbar Steel

845-778-0126

301 East Searsville Road Montgomery, NY 12549

Bernie Hillman allbarstl@aol.com

E-Gill Rebar, LLC

914-213-0723

4 Hamilton Road Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

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

Members since 2024

Orange County Ironworks, LLC

845-769-3000

36 Maybrook Road Montgomery, NY 12549

Dan Teutel dant@ocillc.com ocillc.com

Members since 2007

SUPPLIERS

Aggregate | Erosion Control Materials

Aden Aggregates 845-990-7625

PO Box 217 Montgomery, NY 12549

Reilly Carney rcarney@adenaggregate.com adenaggregate.com

Members since 2023

Eastern Construction Materials

845-705-4396

PO Box 924

Poughkeepsie, New York 12601

Kelly Libolt

kelly@easternconstructionmaterials.com easternconstructionmaterials.com

Members since 2023

Cabinetry | Millwork Materials

EKB Kitchens & Interiors

845-563-0290 1124 NY-94

New Windsor, NY 12553

Jenna Riess info@ekbdirect.com ekbkitchens.com

Members since 2024

Equipment Rentals Materials

A-Verdi Storage Containers

315-365-2851

14150 State Route 31 Savannah, NY 13146 joe@averdi.com averdi.com

Members since 2024

Bay Crane 718-392-0800

11-02 43rd Ave.

Long Island City, NY 11101

Joseph Sadden jsadden@baycrane.com baycrane.com

Members since 2023

Burt Crane & Rigging 518-271-6858

5 Veterans Memorial Dr. Green Island, NY 12183

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

Members since 2023

Durante Rentals

914-690-6969

145 Huguenot St., Suite 406

New Rochelle, NY 10801

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

Members since 2021

Olori Crane Service, Inc. 845-623-1267

11 Seeger Dr. Nanuet, NY 10954

Ron Olori rolorijr@oloricrane.com oloricrane.com

Members since 1976

Partner Rentals

877-740-7368

711 East Chester Ave. Kingston, NY 12401

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

Members since 2021

Service Scaffold Company, Inc. 845-513-5326

29 Railroad Plaza, PO Box 888

South Fallsburg, NY 12779

Josh Ingber josh@servicescaffold.com servicescaffold.com

Members since 2015

United Rentals

833-211-6885

5311 Route 9W

Newburgh, NY 12550

Eric Crane ecrane@ur.com unitedrentals.com

Members since 2001

Electrical Supplies Materials

D & G Electrical Supply Co., Inc

845-947-2626

62 Railroad Ave. West Garnerville, NY 10923

J. William Grabe

bill@dandgelectricalsupply.com dandgelectricalsupply.com

Members since 2013

Office Partitions Materials

Modernfold Styles

201-329-6226

15 Empire Blvd. South Hackensack, NJ 07606

Joseph Jordan

jjordan@modernfoldstyles.com modernfoldstyles.com

Members since 1996

Paint & Coatings Materials

Herzog’s Home & Paint 845-338-6300

151 Plaza Road Kingston, NY 12401

Greg Amato

gregg@herzogs.com herzogs.com

Members since 2015

Pipe, Valve & Fittings

Raritan Group, Inc.

732-985-5000

295 Meadow Road Edison, NJ 08817

Bill Richardson bill@raritanvalve.com raritangroup.com

Members since 2015

Plumbing | HVAC

Universal Supply Group

845-343-1456

24 Dunning Road

Middletown, NY 10940

Charles T. Milich, Jr. cmilich@usginc.com usginc.com

Members since 2000

Toilet Rentals

Enviro-Clean

845-883-5563

70 Coy Road Clintondale, NY 12515

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

Members since 1987

Accountants

Bonadio Group 585-381-1100

6 Wembley Court Albany, NY 12205

Michael Smith msmith@bonadio.com bonadio.com

Members since 2010

PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP

845-565-5400

32 Fostertown Road Newburgh, NY 12550

Alan Marks amarks@pkfod.com pkfod.com

Members since 2013

RBT CPAs

845-567-9000

11 Racquet Road Newburgh, NY 12550

Bob Marchione rmarchione@rbtcpas.com rbtcpas.com

Members since 1991

Schultheis & Panettieri, LLP

631-273-4778

450 Wireless Blvd. Hauppauge, NY 11788

James Heinzman jheinzman@snpcpa.com snpcpa.com

Members since 2021

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

Members since 2002

Architects | Engineers

Alfandre Architecture, P.C.

845-255-4774

231 Main St. #201

New Paltz, NY 12561

Rick Alfrandre ralfandre@alfandre.com alfandre.com

Members since 2008

Colliers Engineering & Design

845-564-4495

555 Hudson Valley Rd. Suite 101

New Windsor, NY 12553

Joe Dopico

joseph.dopico@colliersengineering.com colliersengineering.com

Members since 2017

Delaware Engineering

518-452-1290

28 Madison Ave. Ext. Albany, NY 12203

John Brust jbrust@delawareengineering.com delawareengineering.com

Members since 2020

Keystone Management Associates, LLC 845-534-4660

PO Box 274

Mountainville, NY 10953

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

Members since 2016

Liscum, McCormack & Van Voorhis, LLP 845-452-2268

181 Church St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Michael McCormack mmccormack@lmvarchitects.com lmvarchitects.com

Members since 2016

Minuta Architecture 845-565-0055

554 Temple Hill Road New Windsor, NY 12553

Joseph Minuta info@minutaarchitecture.com minutaarchitecture.com

Members since 2023

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

70 Pleasant Hill Road Mountainville, NY 10953

Mark Stier mastier@tectonicengineering.com tectonicengineering.com

Members since 2007

Banks

M&T Bank 845-440-2898

300 Westage Business Center Dr. Suite 410

Fishkill, NY 12524

Mark Stellwag mstellwag@mandtbank.com mtb.com

Members since 1993

NBT Bank 845-562-6766

11 Garden St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12602

John Davies

john.davies@nbtbank.com nbtbank.com

Members since 2000

Orange Bank Trust Co.

845-341-5043

212 Dolson Ave.

Middletown, NY 10940

Michael Gilfeather mgilfeather@orangebanktrust.com orangebanktrust.com

Members since 2015

Rhinebeck Bank

845-454-8555

2 Jefferson Plaza

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Philip Bronzi pbronzi@RhinebeckBank.com rhinebeckbank.com

Members since 2021

TD Bank

845-220-2808

555 Hudson Valley Ave. Suite 105

New Windsor, NY 12553

Mike Donnelly

michael.donnelly2@td.com td.com

Members since 2024

Ulster Savings Bank

845-338-6322

1208 Route 300 Suite 101 Newburgh, NY 12550

Matthew Agor magor@ulstersavings.com ulstersavings.com

Members since 2016

Walden Savings Bank

845-457-7700

15 Scotts Corners Dr. Montgomery, NY 12549

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

Members since 2014

Wallkill Valley Federal Savings & Loan Association

845-895-2051

23 Wallkill Ave. Wallkill, NY 12589

Domenic Baiocco dbaiocco@wallkill.com wallkill.com

Members since 2017

Cleaning | Environmental

Advanced Disaster Recovery, Inc.

845-294-8919

2713 Route 17M

New Hampton, NY 10958

Angelo Ferrante angelo@advanceddri.com advanceddri.com

Members since 2020

Nadoka Luxury Cleaning

845-201-0080

69 Townsend Dr., Apt. 1 Newburgh, NY 12550

Richmond Aidoo nadoka.lc@gmail.com

Members since 2020

Graphics | Promotional Materials

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

15 Manchester Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Jerry Martin jmartin3@gosafeguard.com gosafeguardny.com

Members since 2023

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

81 Ten Broeck Ave. Kingston, NY 12401

Frank Campagna fjc@tsasinc.com tsasinc.com

Members since 2020

Insurance | Bonding

Broadfield Group, LLC

845-986-2211

68 Main St. Warwick, NY 10990

Richard Savino

richs@broadfieldinsurance.com broadfieldinsurance.com

Members since 2020

Federated Insurance 845-674-3290

P.O. Box 123 Cornwall, NY 12518

Steve Powles scpowles@fedins.com federatedinsurance.com

Members since 2021

Liberty Mutual 201-327-7606

1200 MacArthur Blvd. Mahwah, NJ 07430

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

Members since 1999

Lovell Safety Management Co. 518-753-7646

80 Pleasant Ave. Schaghitcoke, NY 12154

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

Members since 2004

Marshall & Sterling 845-454-0800

110 Main St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Kevin Viana kviana@marshallsterling.com marshallsterling.com

Members since 1987

Milliman, Inc.

646-473-3308

1305 River Road

Phoenicia, NY 12464

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

Members since 2021

Northwestern Mutual 518-690-7961

1 Northwestern Blvd. Albany, NY 12211

Patrick DiCerbo

pat.dicerbo@nm.com patdicerbo.com

Members since 2011

NXG Insurance Group 845-594-4703

159 Green St. Kingston, NY 12401

Joseph Davis nxginsurance.com

Members since 2020

World Insurance Associates, LLC 845-230-3323

3 Starr Ridge Road, Suite 100 Brewster, NY 10509

Jeff Deldin jeffdeldin@worldinsurance.com worldinsurance.com

Members since 1998

Investment Advisors

Affinity BST Advisors, LLC 973-534-5785

10 British American Blvd. Latham, NY 12110

Nicholas Preddice npreddice@financialguide.com affinitybstadvisors.com

Members since 2020

BNY Mellon Center 617-722-7149

201 Washington St., 15th Floor Boston, MA 02108

John Lavin john.lavin@bnymellon.com bnymellon.com

Members since 2020

Boyd Watterson

Asset Management, LLC

617-312-1335

1301 East 9th St., Suite 2900 Cleveland, OH 44114

cbabcock@boydwatterson.com boydwatterson.com

Members since 2024

The Fischer Group at Graystone Consulting 518-386-2928

1212 Troy Schenectady Road Latham, NY 12110

Mark Caropreso mark.a.caropreso@morganstanley.com morganstanley.com/graystone Members since 2022

Focused Wealth Management 845-691-4037

11 Balmville Road, Suite 2N Newburgh, NY 12550

Justine Lease

jlease@focusedwealthmgmt.com focusedwealthmgmt.com

Members since 2024

Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc.

845-294-6127

117 Grand St., 2nd Floor Goshen, NY 10924

Curt Schultzberg cschultzberg@hviaonline.com hviaonline.com

Members since 2024

Merrill Lynch

518-782-4094

26 Century Hill Dr. Latham, NY 12110

Mike Chrys michael_chrys@ml.com ml.com

Members since 2011

Pivotal Wealth Management 845-219-5162

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

John Scarpino

john@pivotalwealthllc.com pivotalwealthllc.com

Members since 2023

Stacey Braun Associates, Inc. 888-949-1925

377 Broadway, 8th Floor New York, NY 10013

Martin Wexler mhwexler@staceybraun.com staceybraun.com

Members since 2007

Law Firms

Catania Mahon & Rider

845-565-1100

641 Broadway Newburgh, NY 12550

Mike Cantania

mcatania@cmrlegal.com cmrlaw.com

Members since 1989

Couch White, LLP

518-426-4600

540 Broadway, PO Box 22222 Albany, NY 12201

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

Members since 2013

Welby, Brady & Greenblatt 914-428-2100

11 Martine Ave. White Plains, NY 10606

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

Members since 2007

Real Estate

Gillespie Real Estate

845-565-7073

167 North Plank Road

Newburgh, NY 12550

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

Members since 2023

Howard Hanna Realty

845-774-6858

229 Route 32 Central Valley, NY 10917

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

Members since 2021

Security

Blue Eagle Security. Inc

845-642-8908

16 Beth Dr. Middletown, NY 10941

Rick Hewitt rickhewitt@blueeaglesecurity.com blueeaglesecurity.com

Members since 2022

Nexgen Protection Services LLC

845-248-1191

1108 Kings Hwy Suite B Chester, NY 10918

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

Members since 2021

Testing Companies

Advance Testing 845-496-1600

3348 Route 208

Campbell Hall, NY 10916

Chris McCracken busdev@advancetesting.com advancetesting.com

Members since 1986

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

22 N. Liberty Dr. Stony Point, NY 10980

Amy Aguanno DeEntremont adeentremont@fairwaytesting.com fairwaytesting.com

Members since 2006

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

Members since 1998

Utilities | Energy

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

284 South Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Anthony Campagiorni acampagiorni@cenhud.com centralhudson.com

Members since 1985

Orange & Rockland Utilities 845-577-2339

766 West Nyack Road West Nyack, NY 10994

John Flynn flynnjo@oru.com oru.com

Members since 2017

Thank You!

The Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley is grateful to our Diamond Sponsors for their exceptionally generous commitment to the CCA and the work we do on behalf of our members, our industry, and our partners in the building trades:

Affinity BST Advisors/

Orange Bank & Trust / H.V. Investments

Armistead Mechanical

Barone Construction

Beam Enterprises, Inc.

Catania, Mahon & Rider

Holt Construction Corp.

International Engineers Local 137

Ironworkers Local 417

Key Construction

MDS HVAC-R, Inc.

M&T Bank

Marshall & Sterling

Paramount Building Construction, Inc./ PBC

Perreca Electric Company, Inc.

RBT CPAs

Service Scaffold, Inc.

Tectonic Engineering Consultants, Geologists & Land Surveyors

Tri-State Drywall and Acoustical, Inc.