Centennial Drive firm socked for $107K

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July 3, 2009

By Matthew K. Roy The Salem News Fri Jul 03, 2009, 05:45 AM EDT

PEABODY — A city-based engineering firm has agreed to pay more than $107,000 to settle alleged violations of the state's prevailing-wage laws, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley's office announced yesterday.

Weston & Sampson Services, Inc. and its president and treasurer, John A. Bocchino Jr., 47, of Wilmington, will pay $92,500 in restitution to 25 mechanics, technicians and electricians who worked on public projects in 27 different cities and towns throughout the state between January 2006 and June 2009. The company will also pay the state a $15,000 fine, according to a settlement agreement.

An anonymous complaint about Weston & Sampson filed with the attorney general in June 2006 triggered an investigation, said Harry Pierre, deputy press secretary under Coakley. The company conducted a self-audit of its records and cooperated fully, he said in a press release.

A message left by The Salem News at Weston & Sampson's 5 Centennial Drive headquarters was not returned yesterday.

Peabody, Danvers, Swampscott and Topsfield were among the communities where Weston & Sampson worked on projects. In Peabody, the company recently helped the city remove water treatment plant residuals from Spring Pond.

The state's prevailing wage laws apply to construction work performed on public works projects. They allow all contractors bidding on public works projects to enjoy a "level playing field" by standardizing the rate of pay for workers.

Workers who believe they may not have been paid the appropriate wages are encouraged to call the Attorney General's Fair Labor Hotline at 617-727-3465, Pierre said.

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Centennial Drive firm socked for $107K

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