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AG’S Office Reaches Settlement with Watertown Construction Company for Failure to Pay Prevailing Wage on 5 Public Projects

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The following announcement was provided by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office:

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced it has reached a settlement with Avatar Construction Corporation (Avatar), a construction company based in Watertown, MA, and its owner, Nazar Vincent. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by the AGO, alleging that the company violated the Massachusetts False Claims Act (MFCA) in connection with prevailing wage theft when it and a subcontractor allegedly underpaid workers on five municipal construction projects in Cambridge, Lawrence, Saugus, and Watertown.  

In accordance with the settlement, Avatar has paid $320,000 to the Commonwealth, allowing the state to pay approximately $172,000 in restitution to impacted workers.  

The AGO’s March 2023 lawsuit alleged that on five municipal public construction projects, Avatar used 68 fraudulent payroll forms, prepared by its subcontractor, Gonza Construction, Inc. of Worcester, to certify compliance with the Massachusetts Prevailing Wage Law, when in fact, workers on the projects were paid less than half of what they were owed. The AGO alleged that in addition to being fraudulent, the payroll forms contained widespread flagrant errors. 

The Massachusetts Prevailing Wage Law sets the minimum hourly wage rates allowable for certain classifications of workers on public construction projects in the Commonwealth. The law requires submittal of weekly certified payroll forms as an express condition of payment on most public contracts. Under the Prevailing Wage Law, it is unlawful for subcontractors to use false records that are substantively related to a payment claim without making a reasonable effort to ensure such records are accurate. 

Last fall, the AGO announced the issuance of a judgment in a similar prevailing wage lawsuit filed by the Office against BPI Construction Corporation of Framingham.

Around Town

Road Resurfacing on Main Street Will Take Two Days

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The City of Watertown announced the repaving of Main Street from near the Watertown Fire Station past City Hall beginning on Halloween. See details provided by the City, below. Cassidy Corp will mill and pave Main Street from Whites Avenue to John Sonny Whooley Way on Thursday, October 31, and Friday, November 1, 2024, from 9 am to 3 pm each day. Permanent pavement markings are set for Saturday, November 2, from 7 am to 11 am. These dates may change based on weather.

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OBIT: Elaine (Walsh) Conley, WHS Grad, Mother of Four

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Elaine M. (Walsh) Conley, 52, of Topsfield, died Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston following a year-long battle with leukemia. She was the wife of the late Chelsea Police Detective Scott M. Conley, who predeceased her on March 15, 2024. Born in Waltham on March 22, 1972, she was the daughter of the late William Walsh and Marie (Graham) Walsh of Burlington (partner John Aste). In addition to her mother, she leaves four beautiful children, Aidan, Max, Keira, and Shea Conley, all of Topsfield, whom she adored above all. She was raised and educated in Watertown, was a graduate of Watertown High School and furthered her education with a Bachelor’s Degree from Bridgewater State College and a Master’s Degree from Tufts University. She then went on to pursue a career as an Occupational Therapist.

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Volunteers Wanted to Serve on the Pride Event Committee

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Pride Committee is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated residents to join our team! This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the planning and execution of the premiere event that celebrates and supports our LGBTQ+ community. About the Pride Committee: 

The Pride Committee is responsible for organizing events, activities, and initiatives that promote inclusivity, diversity, and equality within our community. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment for all residents and visitors, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. The Pride Committee’s main responsibility will be to assist in planning and organizing the Watertown Pride Parade and Festival in June.

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Hibernians Hosting Red Cross Blood and Food Drive

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) announced it will host a blood drive and food drive on Dec. 28 at Hibernian Hall. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in our community and across the country. Visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ and enter: AOH to schedule an appointment.

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Statue to be Unveiled at Armenian Cultural & Educational Center

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Watertown’s Armenian Cultural Educational Center will unveil a statue dedicated to a well known Armenian Musician, teacher and choirmaster on what would be his 155th birthday. the ACEC provided the following information. Join the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) for the unveiling of the statue of renowned Armenian musician, teacher and choirmaster Komitas Vartabed on Saturday, November 9th, at 1 p.m.

This year marks the 155th birthday of Komitas, who was an Armenian priest, composer, choirmaster, singer, music ethnologist, music teacher and musicologist, known as the founder of modern Armenian classical music and the Armenian national school of music. Komitas spent his life gathering folk songs in the Armenian Highlands and was named the father of Armenian Folk Music.

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Registration Open for Watertown Recreation’s Winter Programs

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It’s time to sign up for the Watertown Recreation Department’s Winter Programs, which include a variety of sports, and other activities. The Recreation Department has a variety of programs for children in PreK to fifth grade, including All-Sports, archery, baton twirling, chess, Kids Test Kitchen, basketball, Space Fleet Robot, wrestling, and chemical creations. Programs for middle and high school students include the Wachusett ski/board program for grades 6-12, Girls Get Strong, and middle school girls volleyball. Adult programs include coed volleyball, pickleball, archery, and basketball open gym. Register online by clicking here.