Annual Report 2012

Reflecting on 2012 and Preparing for 2013

By James J. Pratt, III, Chairman of the Long Island Contractors’ Association

If you seek to predict the future for the Long Island Contractors’ Association (LICA), one only needs to know that past is prologue. As in 2012, in the coming year LICA will insist on accountability, responsibility and action on behalf of the region’s infrastructure. We will do so as the region’s leading advocate for public infrastructure construction and maintenance to ensure the taxpayer can depend upon their most important investment, the future.

This has been the constant LICA refrain throughout a year of historic events ranging from a Presidential election to a megastorm that battered our East Coast.

Despite the deep divide in our nation’s politics, there are certain priorities upon which we are compelled to agree. Infrastructure cannot be turned into a political litmus test. It is the foundation upon which our economy is based. There is no Democratic bridge. There is no Republican road. If we are to build our future we need to understand the importance of investing, maintaining and improving our nation’s transportation and infrastructure.

In the months to come, it is our job to remind elected officials that supporting infrastructure projects crucial to the economy and our region allows us to maintain confidence in the region, allow us to create jobs and investment and ensure that we remain competitive within a global economy. Failure to invest in core projects that will strengthen our roads, bridges and other public works threatens the leadership of our nation and the future of our state.

LICA and its allies will continue to be unapologetic in our advocacy and sustaining our leadership role on behalf of the heavy construction industry, whether it’s before government, the media or the taxpayer.

2 Annual Report 2012

Underscoring the cooperative nature of recovery, Town of Oyster Bay crews direct Pratt Brothers in reclaiming neighborhoods during post-hurricane work. Long Island’s Battle with Superstorm Sandy Braving the storm, cleaning debris, restoring the Island

Days before any government agency issued an alert, LICA was Addressing the storm’s aftermath already preparing for what was still dubbed a tropical storm. The “punch list” for LICA was enormous. LICA member firms were Some 72 hours before the storm, LICA Executive Director Marc instrumental in providing equipment Herbst had been discussing the potential for crisis with professional and manpower to restore sewage meteorologists, prompting the group to put its members on notice treatment plants, remove fallen trees, that they needed to begin to implement their recovery assistance make temporary repairs to breached plans that would put a fleet of payloaders, dump trucks, chain saws beach barriers, perform emergency Scalamandre payloaders tackle and more at the disposal of hard-hit municipalities. demolition and clear debris. Long Beach neighborhoods in bringing order out of chaos. Little did he realize that he would be on the front line of the LICA Chairman James Pratt, III of Pratt Brothers, Inc. said, “I storm’s assault as his West Islip home was among those that would don’t think the full extent of LICA’s role will ever be fully appreciated. be made uninhabitable in the days to come. In many cases employees of our member companies went to work ignoring the damage done to their own homes, the gasoline lines that LICA Members Worked Around the Clock to Help Restore dared them to commute and the challenge of just getting to the truck the Region yard. There were individual acts of extraordinary professionalism that LICA members proffered their work ethic and unique construction will never be recognized or honored, but LICA knows they occurred. expertise and helped restore a battered and bruised Long Island That devotion to duty will never be forgotten.” following the passage of megastorm Sandy and the nor’easter that arrived soon after. Despite personal losses that ranged from destroyed Pratt noted that the experience of Peter Scalamandre & Sons, Inc. homes to the destruction of business assets, their commitment to in Freeport best exemplifies the story of LICA in the face of Sandy. assisting the region was so strong that their personal hardships were Established in 1923, the company has become an icon for construction left behind and restoration work continued unabated. expertise but its south shore location put it in harm’s way during the storm. Regardless of serious damage to their offices and some of Our Executive Director Marc Herbst stated, “These will be their equipment, LICA board member Peter Scalamandre reported remembered as historic times. We witnessed the dislocation of an his employees responded to calls for help from municipalities within entire region and its economy. To combat that double punch, LICA hours after the hurricane moved on. “This is the stuff of legends,” was found on the front lines everywhere, assisting state agencies noted Peter. and local municipalities in restoring order, providing the muscle and expertise to remove wreckage, allow utility vehicles to get into LICA would like to once again thank our members for their hard-hit neighborhoods and replace destroyed infrastructure. Its valuable service. For any of you or your staff who suffered personal mobilization was on a scope we have never seen before.” losses, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

3 Annual Report 2012

A Difficult Winter Construction Season Ahead Will Reopen Long Island’s Beaches in the Spring

concrete slabs might become the favored alternative. All of these solutions require expertise and special skills found among our members,” said Herbst. “There’s no doubt in my mind that this will be accomplished, but given the winter season and the logistics, it is going to be a real test.”

But Herbst notes, physical challenges notwithstanding, LICA members are excited and take considerable pride in restoring one of our region’s greatest assets before the opening of the next beach season.

LICA members Bove Industries and Tully Construction The New York State Department of Transportation among the companies selected to move “heaven and (NYSDOT), New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and earth”… and sand. Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) and the New York State New York State intends to ensure that some of the most important Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) are public beachfronts in America are open this coming season despite working with the Federal Highway Administration and the Army the best efforts of Mother Nature to destroy world famous Jones Corps of Engineers to engineer the roadway repair project. Beach and neighboring Robert Moses State Park. New York State is examining options to strengthen those As a result, the State asked for bids from the region’s leading heavy sections of the protective sand dunes that were damaged to provide construction companies, including LICA members, so that work better stability and resiliency to future storms. However, construction can proceed immediately in restoring the legendary Ocean Parkway, of the subterranean stone wall, which would be reinforced by damaged boardwalks, support facilities and related infrastructure marine-grade steel and set behind the dunes along a portion of along our south shore barrier beach. Ocean Parkway, was rejected because federal emergency highway funds can only be used for repair or replacement in kind, that is, Pre-qualified firms chosen to bid on this project included to restore the roadway Bove Industries, Inc.; Grace Industries, LLC; Intercounty Paving to its original state Associates; Posillico and Pratt-Scalamandre. LICA members Roman before the storm hit. It Stone and Long Island Precast Inc. have both been contacted as is an issue that LICA potential subcontractors on this project. believes needs to be resolved or its members The selected construction team includes LICA’s Bove may be called to make Bove equipment extracts tons of sand from Industries and Tully Construction beneath Ocean Parkway, providing access the same repairs to the In response, New York State has picked three contractors to Tobay Beach once more, in a scene that road following some to repair Ocean Parkway and the Robert Moses State Park suggests coal mining in West Virginia. future storm. traffic circle. Air Show Alert The firms selected submitted the The State is so confident in the ability of the heavy construction winning bid of $33.2 million and included industry to meet the tough winter schedule, it has already issued a LICA members Bove Industries, Inc. of statement that the tenth anniversary Jones Beach Air Show will take East Setauket and Tully Construction Co., place this coming Memorial Day weekend (2013) as scheduled. Inc. Their work on the Sandy-damaged parkway and traffic circle is expected to begin immediately given George Gorman, deputy regional director of NYSOPRHP the strict deadlines for Memorial Day 2013. confirmed, “As stated, the Jones Beach Air Show will celebrate its 10th Anniversary and, as a matter of fact, we believe residents of The eastbound side of the parkway nearest the beach suffered the New York metropolitan and Long Island areas will need and historic damage as it was pounded by Sandy’s storm surges. Civil enjoy the Air Show more engineers reported that parts of the road, particularly a strip two than ever. This will be miles west of Gilgo Beach, were smothered by the Atlantic Ocean. the first major event after As a result, the 15.5 mile long Ocean Parkway was closed for nearly the damage and suffering a month after the storm. from Hurricane Sandy. We believe the Air Show will “Reconstructing the parkway in the dead of winter makes lift the community spirit this project massive and unique. You can’t pour concrete with and be a great start of the temperatures regularly dropping below freezing, so pre-cast summer season.” 4 Annual Report 2012

Among the issues Congressman Bishop is focused on are his Long Islanders insistence that federal funds awarded to state and local government are used promptly and that local union labor benefits from awarded Take to the Polls projects.

to Cast Their Vote On the state level… Infrastructure’s Advocate – New York State Assemblyman Phil Boyle Tim Bishop – Returned to the House enjoyed a nearly seven percent margin victory over Even amidst downed power lines, flooded homes and fallen Rick Montano to win the New York State 4th trees, Long Islanders were still able to get out and cast their vote Senate District seat. Boyle will be replacing fellow on Election Day. LICA would like to take the time to congratulate Republican Senator Owen Johnson, a World War those officials who were elected to fill key positions on Long Island. II veteran who announced he was retiring after four decades in public office. On the federal level… Representative Tim Bishop, who was openly embraced by LICA, Boyle has pledged that he was ready to take office and get to work the Operating Engineers Local 138, Laborers Local 1298, Teamsters for his constituents, especially those hurt by Hurricane Sandy. He Local 282 and the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, said he would “make sure people that suffered losses are completely celebrated his victory in the 1st Congressional District after a closely compensated by insurance companies.” watched campaign rematch with Republican challenger Randy Altschuler. On the local level… Ed Romaine won Brookhaven’s special election “Tim Bishop has volunteered to shoulder the burden of being the for the Supervisor seat vacated by Mark Lesko region’s champion for federal funds earmarked for roads, bridges, in September, defeating his opponent Brian water systems and more,” said LICA’s Executive Director Marc Beedenbender with nearly 57 percent of the vote. Herbst. “LICA is gratified that the Congressman will be able to After learning of his win Romaine stated, “I think continue to fight for the funding Brookhaven is facing great challenges. My job is to our industry needs.” sit down with six other people (on the Town Board) and unify (our efforts). Particularly now, in the aftermath of this Congressman Bishop is the storm, we need to come together and put Brookhaven on the path to only Long Island representative sustainable financial health and help all of our residents rebuild.” to serve on the House Committee on Transportation Romaine has stated that his first step once he is sworn into office and Infrastructure. Earning will be to help Brookhaven recover from the destruction caused by the reputation as one of the Hurricane Sandy. His next step, he said, will be to examine the town panel’s hardest working and budget – which he won’t be able to vote on – but will need to work most engaged members, he within to allocate funding in various municipal sectors. has consistently fought for Long Island’s fair share of Keeping tally, Mr. Romaine is the first Republican elected infrastructure dollars. Supervisor for the Town of Brookhaven since 2005.

Looking at infrastructure in the wake of a hurricane At a September rally held for the Congressman, Bishop New Faces in Albany observed, “We are in an era when government funding is viewed as Long Island’s Assembly delegation welcomed four new lawmakers ‘spending’ as opposed to an investment. Yet it is clear that there are this year – Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci, Andrew Garbarino and certain things we need to invest in so we grow our economy, and Edward Hennessey and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages. infrastructure is at the top of that list. Not only do we put people to work, but infrastructure investment also helps the rest of our Lupinacci of Huntington Station is serving economy flourish.” his third term on the South Huntington school board. While in college, he interned “Time and time again, Congressman Tim Bishop has proven to for Assemblyman James Conte, whom he is our industry that he is one of our biggest supporters, consistently succeeding. The highly regarded Conte passed fighting for federal funds that will protect our future,” said LICA away in October after serving more than 20 Chairman James Pratt, III of Pratt Brothers, Inc. “At a time when years in office. Lupinacci is a full-time faculty our industry is suffering from record unemployment levels, we are member at Farmingdale State College and teaches two political compelled to support the one public official who has demonstrated courses at Hofstra. He’ll take a leave in January to come to the State the courage and capability to stand up and speak out forcefully on Capitol. Lupinacci said he’ll focus primarily on the economy. behalf of us all.” Continued …

5 Annual Report 2012

POLLS , continued … It’s not about partisanship – Garbarino, a Sayville resident and an attorney, is replacing it’s about leadership Assemblyman Phil Boyle, an East Islip Republican who is “Our organization is indifferent to political labels when it Senator-elect in the NYS 4th Senate District. Garbarino has said comes to supporting political candidates. LICA members have he’ll focus on constituent service, small business, veterans and always supported, and will continue to support, the elected officials state mandates on local governments. who unfailingly advocate on behalf of the heavy construction and transportation industry,” said LICA’s Executive Director Marc Elmont resident Michaelle Solages, whose brother Carrie is a Herbst. Nassau County Legislator, will represent a newly created district on the Queens border in southwest Nassau County. She has said “State Senator Martins, who happens to be a Republican, development at Belmont Park racetrack will be her priority. understands firsthand the positive impact the heavy construction industry has on our local economy. He continues to be one of our Elected to the 3rd Assembly District, Edward Hennessey industry’s biggest allies in Albany, championing for state funding began his legal career as a prosecutor in the Suffolk County for vital infrastructure projects on Long Island. For that we thank District Attorney’s Office and served on the Brookhaven Town him,” stated Herbst. Council. Early in his private law practice, Edward served as General Counsel to several community groups such as Local 342, During his appearance at the Infrastructure Advocacy Long Island Public Service Employee Union & Trust, UMD, Reception, Senator Martins thanked LICA for its support LIA and AFL-CIO. Edward also served as Brookhaven Town and renewed his pledge to keep infrastructure investment a top Councilman from 1994 through 2005. priority.

LICA Honored Senator Martins “Senator Martins has proven for his Infrastructure through his record as Mayor of the Leadership Village of Mineola and now as a LICA will continue to publicly New York State Senator that he is support those public officials who a true advocate of public works and have consistently fought on behalf of infrastructure necessary to protect our region’s roads, rails and bridges. our region,” stated LICA Chairman Top of LICA’s list of “Infrastructure James Pratt, III of Pratt Brothers, Inc. Allies” in 2012 was New York State “Throughout his political career he has Senator Jack M. Martins, who was been keenly aware of the value the heavy honored at LICA’s 2012 Annual construction industry provides and has PAC Reception. made investing in our infrastructure and local community one of his top Martins is among those elected officials who have displayed priorities. This is why LICA chose to honor Martins at this year’s consistent leadership in this arena, and that is why LICA chose Infrastructure Advocacy Reception.” to honor him at last year’s Infrastructure Advocacy Reception. He too was returned to office this past November. LICA Members Complete Crucial LI Projects in 2012 J. Barwick Landscape & Site Developer Leverages Its Expertise to Improve the Region’s Quality of Life Nassau County residents can thank LICA member J. Barwick Landscape & Site Developer for completed infrastructure improvements made to five of Nassau County’s community parks.

The $1.47 million park rehabilitation project, which included improvements to Hall’s Pond Park in Hempstead, Tackapausha Preserve in Seaford, Tanglewood Preserve in Lakeview, and Mackey Field and Roosevelt Preserve in Roosevelt, was awarded by the Nassau County Department of Public Works to provide significant park, recreation, infrastructure, ecosystem and habitat improvements to five parks, each of them much in need of a facelift.

Funding for the project was provided by Nassau County’s 2004 $50 million Environmental Bond Act Program, which helps the County renovate parks, preserve open space and farmland, and protect drinking water, bays and harbors, among other environmental initiatives. 6 Annual Report 2012

The project at Hall’s Pond Park addressed many of the debris At its peak, this multiple-shift project employed up to 170 problems in the pond, provided plantings, controlled geese, restored workers daily to execute a variety of tasks that range from demolition entrance walks throughout the park and repaired a gazebo. These and debris removal to preparation for new construction. efforts included storm water quality improvements which consisted of the installation of a baffle box debris separator to the park’s 5.5- Construction on the South Shore Mall began in May 2012 and acre pond, which will collect floatables such as plastic bottles, syringes was completed six months later and in plenty of time to welcome and paper products. Construction also included the installation of holiday shoppers. new pedestrian bridges; and installation of new benches, trash receptacles, plantings and an irrigation system, among other aesthetic Gramercy Group provides high-quality service for all phases of enhancements that improve the community’s quality of life. wrecking and demolition. Gramercy’s mission is to become the premier demolition company in the New York Metropolitan area by Work at Tackapausha Preserve included extensive improvements providing the finest level of timely and comprehensive services to its to the plantings as well as shoreline stabilization. Construction at customers while striving to exceed their expectations. They provide a Tanglewood Preserve consisted of stream work, installation of a safe working environment for all of their employees and maintain a photovoltaic system for renewable energy, paving stone patios and respect for environmental concerns encountered in the performance walkways, installation of handicap access ramps, fences and of their work. landscaping. Improvements at Mackey Field included a new backstop, dugouts and associated field work. At Roosevelt Preserve, LICA Members Repair Local Roadways through J. Barwick’s scope included installation of new nature trails, a kiosk Governor’s NY Works Program and benches. LICA member New York Paving, Inc. marked 2012 working on a $6.2 million project that will make improvements, enhance safety Park improvements began in July 2010 and were completed by and extend the pavement life of the east and westbound lanes of the June 2012. Long Island Expressway (LIE/I-495) between William Floyd Parkway/County Road 46 (Exit 68) and State Route 25 (Exit 73). Family-owned and in operation for over 10 years, J. Barwick Landscape & Site Developer is a small union excavation company specializing in large landscapes, athletic fields, and sub-surface storm water retention systems. The company also has a separate environmental division that specializes in installations of new fueling facilities and environmental remediation.

Gramercy Group Made Crucial Improvements to South Shore Mall in Bay Shore With more than nine million customer visits annually, Westfield’s South Shore Mall in Bay Shore is as much about state-of-the-art infrastructure as any store sale or restaurant reservation. Accordingly, in 2012, the mall’s owners awarded a $10 million contract to LICA member Gramercy Group, Inc. to prepare the retail center for the next generation of shoppers.

The state announced that the project, designed to provide concrete repairs on the nearly 11 mile stretch of the Expressway, is part of the NY Works program and was the first of five contracts to begin on Long Island. The program was developed as a preventative maintenance initiative and focuses on improving pavement that is in “fair” condition and bringing it to “good” condition. This preemptive approach will help to forestall New York’s infrastructure from further deteriorating to a point where more costly construction would be needed, and it is a model for municipalities throughout the region.

“Governor Cuomo’s NY Works program is not only smart “Projects like this one are a great example for the public of the management of the public’s infrastructure, it is also a lifeline to our crucial role played by LICA members in maintaining and improving industry at a time when unemployment levels for the trades are at our local communities,” said Executive Director Marc Herbst. record levels,” stated LICA Chairman James Pratt. “LICA applauds “It’s also Westfield’s $10 million vote of confidence in the future of Governor Cuomo for recognizing the crucial role this initiative will the region.” Continued … 7 Annual Report 2012

CRUCIAL PROJECTS, continued … for the improvements made to Bethpage State Park during the past year. The company extended the existing 6.8-mile Bethpage bike path from the picnic fields at Bethpage State Park through Trail View State Park on to Woodbury Road for a total length of 12.5 miles of shared-use bikeway.

The NYSDOT awarded United Fence & Guard Rail, the lowest responsible bidder, a $6.5 million contract to perform this recreational infrastructure improvement to relieve overcrowding of the already popular Bethpage State Parkway Bikeway south of Bethpage State Park as well as create and encourage new opportunities for exercise and improved health.

play in boosting our region’s economy and protecting our The bikeway extension can be accessed from almost any location infrastructure while creating more jobs for Long Islanders.” along its 8.2 mile length. In addition to the parking field at the Bethpage State Park picnic field, “Park and Bike” lots were More projects on the horizon… constructed within Trail View State Park on East Bethpage Rd., Since the Governor signed the 2012-2013 budget which just north of Old Country Road and at Executive Drive off of allocated necessary funding, construction began on various Washington Avenue. Additional parking is provided on Sunnyside other NY Works transportation improvement projects. Boulevard near Woodbury Road. Mile markers were placed on the shared use path every 0.1 miles to help users gauge distance. Some of the projects already underway include road resurfacing for State Route 25A from Bread and Cheese According to the NYSDOT’s website, project features also Hollow Road to Sunken Meadow State Parkway in Huntington included 2.4 miles of on-road bike facility with kiosk maps providing and Smithtown, as well as resurfacing work for a stretch of the guidance to the downtown Syosset area, destination signage, and Meadowbrook State Parkway from Merrick Road north to the landscaping with native species to enhance the view for local Southern State Parkway in Nassau. Both projects were awarded residents and path users. Road improvements provided for on-road to LICA member Posillico, Inc. LICA member Bove Industries, bike lane segments included “Share the Road” signs, pavement Inc. also started construction to replace 17 bridge parapets. markings for increased motorist awareness, and pedestrian signals at road crossings. NYSDOT Commissioner Joan McDonald told LICA, “Governor Cuomo’s NY Works program is putting people Construction, which began in February 2012, is slated for back to work while improving the condition of our highways completion around February of 2013. and bridges. The traveling public will certainly benefit from these projects; as crews complete their work, we ask motorists Conclusion: to drive carefully through construction zones so that everyone In 2013, the Long Island Contractors’ Association gets home safely.” (LICA) vows to remain the powerful, vibrant voice of an industry fighting for the region’s fair share of infrastructure dollars that preserve United Fence & Guard Rail Makes and strengthen our roads, bridges and other public works projects. Progress on Bethpage Bike Path We will continue to be an unapologetic advocate, sustaining a Nassau County bicyclists, joggers and park visitors have leadership role on behalf of the heavy construction industry, whether LICA member United Fence and Guard Rail Corp. to thank it’s before government, the media or the public.

LICA Board Members James Pratt, III Paul Farino Patrick Ahern Chester Broman James Haney, III Chairman Secretary-Treasurer Edward Ehrbar, Inc. 110 Sand Company Rason Asphalt Pratt Brothers, Inc. Kings Park 4 Executive Plaza, Suite 155 170 Cabot Street P.O. Box 530 608 Union Blvd. Industries, Inc. Yonkers, NY 10701 West Babylon, NY 11704 Old Bethpage, NY 11804 Holtsville, NY 11742 2 Moreland Road, Suite 2 914-738-5100 631-249-4108 631-293-6210 631-289-6100 Hauppauge, NY 11788 631-543-7560 Grant Hendricks, Jr. John Lizza Paul Posillico Peter Scalamandre Long Island Contractors’ Association BIMASCO, Inc. Intercounty Posillico Peter Scalamandre 735 Old Willets Path, Paving Associates 1610 New Highway & Sons, Inc. 150 Motor Parkway, Suite 307 Suite A 385 W. John Street, 2nd FL. Farmingdale, NY 11735 157 Albany Avenue Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788-5145 Hauppauge, NY 11788 Hicksville, NY 11801 631-249-1872 Freeport, NY 11520 631-234-3100 516-827-6900 516-868-3000 Tel: 631.231.LICA Fax: 631.231.4291 LICA Staff Marc Herbst Sheryl Buro Michelle Giametta Dan Perkins www.licanys.org Executive Director Comptroller & Office Manager of Manager of Public Affairs Administrator Communications 8