[Massplanners] FW: FW: Cost of Using Prevailing Wage Rates

[Dan Fortier]

Katrina, Harry

Kind of addressing both questions at once, Katrina, if the sidewalks are on public property, I do not see any way it would be anything but a public project, and subject to bidding processes and prevailing wage. If they are on private property, such as ways not yet accepted by the town, if the town is doing them, again, probably subject to the same process and prevailing wage. If residents want a sidewalk on a private way, it would be cheaper for them to contract directly for such work.

Now, circling back to Harry’s question, if the sidewalks are on private property, such as a requirement of a subdivision, but were not constructed as required, the work can be done more reasonably for the residents of the subdivision if they took on the soliciting and overseeing the work rather than the town. Adding costs to a project, because we undertook a project, and having to charge a betterment for the work, is only going to drive up the costs for those living on the street. Is that cost reasonable? I do see both sides, for the workers, of course fair wages are needed, for a town where well over half the population is 60+, this could create a significant burden for their street to become properly pedestrian accessible. I do not see it as circumventing the law, I see it as providing residents with their options. So far, in Dennis, when a road project comes up on a private way, the residents are asking the town to oversee the work and accepting the betterments, placing the project under prevailing wage. But, the residents on the street are always informed of their options.

Dan Fortier
Dennis Town Planner

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org<mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org>> On Behalf Of Harry LaCortiglia via MassPlanners
Sent: Friday, October 8, 2021 9:54 AM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org<mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] FW: Cost of Using Prevailing Wage Rates


Not really a Friday Question but...

Has anyone factored in the long term human cost of sidestepping the prevailing wage rate?

While there is certainly a powerful argument for saving every last dime of taxpayer monies as possible, perpetuating a race to the bottom has dire consequences for those who work in the building industries. Given that these individuals are frequently on the lower rungs of the socioeconomic ladder to begin with, are we not becoming part of the problem by participating in schemes that allow for the avoidance of the Prevailing Wage Laws?

Should local government employees (Planners, Economic Development Co-ordinators, etc.) really be the driving force, and the providers of a mechanism, to circumvent laws that were put into place to ensure a that a living wage is paid to the people who actually do this kind of work?

From a moral perspective, how do we advocate and promote the idea of driving wages down to the point where the person actually making that sidewalk works all week long, but makes so little that they qualify for food stamps?

Aren't we supposed to be looking at the big picture?
H. LaCortiglia
Georgetown P.B.


On 10/7/2021 3:51 PM, Paul Halkiotis via MassPlanners wrote:
Hi Katri
I understand that prevailing wage rates are typically about 30% higher than nonunion/prevailing wage rates.

Paul Halkiotis, Director
Planning & Economic Development
566 Washington St. P.O. Box 40
Norwood, MA 02062
(781)915-4749

________________________________
From: "massplanners" <massplanners at masscptc.org><mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>
To: "massplanners" <massplanners at masscptc.org><mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 6, 2021 11:19:56 AM
Subject: [Massplanners] FW: Cost of Using Prevailing Wage Rates

Hello.
Does anyone have an estimate for the % increase per linear foot of constructing a 6 foot wide sidewalk with straight faced granite curb using prevailing wage rates versus a private entity constructing the sidewalks (not using prevailing wage rates)?  All I need is a ball park figure.  If you have an explanation for the ball park figure, all the better.  I am preparing for a town wide “Pedestrian Summit” here in Middleton.
Thank you!
Katrina O'Leary, AICP
Middleton Town Planner
195 North Main Street     Middleton, MA   01949     PH: (978)777-8917
When responding, please be aware that the Massachusetts Secretary of State has determined that most email is public record and, therefore, cannot be kept confidential.


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