News

Mar 12, 2021

Key details of the new stimulus package

PKF O’Connor Davies is monitoring details of the American Rescue Plan. Here are the latest details: elink.pkfod.com/m/1/46940558/02-b21070-01bdce136b484f87842e8321934d6fbb/2/80/f57f4423-f166-4053-a5b5-cc9b099d8eeb

Mar 10, 2021

Larry Sturgis, Smacna member dies at 84

Lawrence J. Sturgis, former Vice President of Wolff & Munier, Inc. and Executive Vice President of SMACNA (Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors of Southeastern NY), died on March 7, 2021 surrounded by his family. He was 84. Known to his friends as Larry, he was born in Brooklyn, NY and attended Erasmus Hall High School.

Feb 15, 2021

Patricia Zugibe Named CEO of Holt Construction Corp.

Patricia Zugibe was named CEO of Holt Construction Corp., a full-service Construction Management and General Contracting firm headquartered in Pearl River, NY.  Zugibe joins Jack Holt, Chairman and Christopher Asaro, President in leading the executive management team into the next generation of construction services. She becomes the fi...

Jan 18, 2021

Carpenters aid family

A very special thank you to Bill Banfield, Asst. Exec Secretary Treasurer, North Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters.  Bill helped arrange for Nelson Aguilar, Francisco Esparza and Raul Castro from Local 197 of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters to help a family in need.  These gentlemen generously contribut...

Jan 11, 2021

Maughan new president of MSLC, Cusack-McGuirk to retire end of year

Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall (MSLC) has named Daniel J. Maughan President of the organization.  Maughan will continue working closely as President & Chief Operating Officer (COO) with MSLC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joan Cusack-McGuirk, who will retire from Newburgh-based MSLC at the end of this year. Cusack-McGuirk’s career...

Dec 21, 2020

Cuomo Signs Watered Down Version of “Substantial Completion” Bill

By Michael Catania Last year, Governor Cuomo vetoed a bill that would have standardized the definition and timing of Substantial Completion (“SC”) on public jobs. The bill returned to the governor’s desk this month and . . . .. he signed it! Was this a Christmas Miracle? Hardly. While some of the timing language was

Dec 16, 2020

The Season of Giving

The annual CCA holiday event and charity drive had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic but that didn’t prevent Association members and building trade partners from donating more than $15,000 to regional charities. At left, CCA Executive Director Alan Seidman presents a check to Bill Vacca, Chairman of the Board of Dir...

Nov 18, 2020

Laborers provide warmth and comfort to Newburgh families

Laborers’ Local 17 believes that every child deserves the warmth of cozy pajamas and a fresh pillow. Working under the Laborers’ International Union of North America’s (LIUNA) Feel the Care community outreach initiative, they made sure parents in Newburgh were able to provide these comforts for their children. On Nov....

Nov 13, 2020

Laborers train for confined space rescue operations

Journeymen from Laborers’ Local 17 are taking part in a Confined Space Rescue class at the trades’ training facility in Newburgh. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), approximately 60 percent of confined-space fatalities are rescuers. “Some of the equipment has gotten newer, nicer, a lit...

Oct 13, 2020

Iron Workers bring Tubman statue to Newburgh Library

Iron Workers Local 417 donated their time to deliver a bronze statue of Harriet Tubman to the plaza of the Newburgh Free Library on Monday, Oct. 12. Local 417 Business Manager Mike Gaydos, left, and Local 417 President Mike Stoddard, right, help Vice President Michael “Doc” Dunn maneuver the grader to install the 9-foot-tal...

Sep 24, 2020

Military vets lead construction firm on Purple Heart project

Spearhead Construction Superintendent Jason Kowalski says that working on the $17 million renovation and expansion of the Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor takes on an even greater meaning. The Fort Montgomery-based company is lead by two female military veterans with strong ties to the region.

Sep 15, 2020

Video: Battling the Coronavirus Pandemic

Meet the healthcare heroes at Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall who were on the front lines battling a global pandemic https://youtu.be/Yzxyoh8rEkA

Sep 15, 2020

Coming soon: New Purple Heart Hall of Honor

In the new 64-page Fall edition of “On the LEVEL”… get an exclusive first look at the $17 million renovation and expansion of the Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor that opens Nov. 11. Visitors will use state-of-the-art technology to help explain more than two centuries of military history and detail many of

Sep 08, 2020

Amazon warehouse project rises in Montgomery

Matt Stoddard, President of Ironworkers Local 417 explains that pre-cast walls are in place and structural steel is beginning to cover the shell around what eventually will be Amazon’s $75.2 million distribution center in the Town of Montgomery. Construction on the 1,010,880-square foot facility at the intersection of Routes 747 and 17...

Sep 04, 2020

Skoufis: Quarantine out-of-state construction workers

State Sen. James Skoufis and 14 other New York State Senators sent a letter to Gov. Cuomo to reconsider allowing out-of-state construction workers on job sites without the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Aug 05, 2020

Danskammer CEO talks union jobs and clean energy

Danskammer Energy CEO William Reid says a new $500 million gas-fired power plant in the Town of Newburgh will create well paying union jobs and bring much needed financial support to the region, as well as produce energy in a clean, environmentally-friendly way.

Jul 17, 2020

SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND A BRIGHTER HUDSON VALLEY

We know the Hudson Valley has a strong workforce. But too many new and expanding businesses are moving to states with lower taxes. We need to attract businesses that provide well-paying jobs for local families that grow the economy. Visit Brighter Hudson Valley to understand the crucial need for economic development and how phase-in ta...

Jul 13, 2020

UNIONS ARE NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER

Bill Banfield who heads the carpenters union in the region, writes in an opinion in the Times Herald-Record, “Long before anyone had heard of COVID-19, organized labor was setting the standard for safety in the construction industry” and that “unions are needed now more than ever.” Read more…https://www.re...

Jun 22, 2020

REMEMBERING ROBERT ARMISTEAD

On behalf of the Board of Construction Contractors’ Association, we extend our sympathies and join family and friends in mourning the loss of Robert T. Armistead, P.E.., who died peacefully at his home in Campbell Hall on Tuesday, June 16. He was 71. Bob exemplified a lifetime of leadership and charity.  His outstanding management of

Jun 19, 2020

FIGHT FOR WORKER RIGHTS

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler shut down construction work at a new Planet Fitness site on N. Windsor Highway Thursday after an inspection found possible Worker Compensation violations and the lack of a filed building permit. His office is issuing subpoenas for records regarding possible wage theft. “This is yet another ...

Jun 05, 2020

HOOVLER TAKES FIGHT FOR WORKER RIGHTS TO COUNTY DA’S

By Barry Lewis, Vice President of Communications Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler says that while the Coronavirus pandemic has put a temporary halt on much of the construction industry, he is stepping up efforts to crack down on wage theft. He says that wage theft and construction fraud is costing taxpayers millions of dol...

Jun 05, 2020

MID-HUDSON READY FOR NEXT PHASE OF REOPENING

The Mid-Hudson Region is expected to reach Phase 2 of the reopening of New York during the coronavirus pandemic by Tuesday, June 9, allowing for the opening of outdoor dinning, retail and professional services and drive-in and drive-thru graduations for students. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced graduation ceremonies will be allowed as long...

May 28, 2020

MID-HUDSON REGION IS OPEN

Orange, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Westchester and Rockland counties, part of the Mid-Hudson Region, has met the seven metric requirements to reopen. Citing the need for infrastructure spending to boost the economy, Gov. Cuomo announced accelerated timelines for improvement projects at the city’s Penn Station and LaGuardia Airport. He...

May 08, 2020

Interviewing local hospital CEO on current conditions

Joan Cusack-McGuirk, president and CEO of Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh hospital shares how COVID-19 has impacted patients, staff and visitors to the health care facility. A longtime nurse and administrator, Cusack-McGuirk offers a hard, emotional insight into the challenges that lie ahead.

May 06, 2020

Hudson Valley DKI keeping county employees safe

Hudson Valley DKI uses high grade disinfectant throughout the Orange County Emergency Communications Center on Wednesday morning as a precautionary measure to help keep county employees safe. Company president Angelo Ferrante says that while his technicians can clean surfaces for germs people still need to practice CDC guidelines to st...

May 01, 2020

COVID-19’s Impact on Construction Contracts

By Michael E. Catania COVID-19 has altered the very framework of construction projects and their underlying contracts. Orders relative to what are essential business and/or projects, virus mitigation rules and social distancing best practices seem to change on a weekly, if not daily, basis. With all of this going on, the last thing a C...

Apr 22, 2020

Safety Stand Down for COVID-19

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) will host a nationwide Safety Stand Down for COVID-19 on April 29. Electrical contractors across the country will invite employees, subcontractors, owners, architects and engineers to join the event to review company protocols and jobsite conditions, and ask questions, bringing foc...

Apr 06, 2020

Thank you to all the health care professionals in the Hudson Valley who are risking their lives to save ours!

https://www.facebook.com/constructionscontractorsassociation/videos/217154352715435/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

Aug 20, 2019

VIDEO: Foreman for Tri-State Drywall & Acoustical shares his journey

Gregg Nott of Hopewell Junction is a foreman for Tri-State Drywall & Acoustical, a subcontractor for Holt Construction which is working on a 10,000 sq. ft. expansion of Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital’s Kaplan Family Center for Medicine in the City of Newburgh. Nott has been with Tri-State Drywall & Acoustical of Sparro...

Mar 06, 2018

Alan Seidman receives the 2018 Ottaway Medal

Congratulations to Alan Seidman, Orange County Citizens Foundation’s 24th recipient of the Ottaway Medal. On May 3, 2018 was awarded 2018 Ottaway Medal at a dinner in his honor  held at Anthony’s Pier 9. Nearly 400 people came out to honor Alan and support the mission of the Orange County Citizens Foundation. The foundation...

Jan 02, 2017

Message from Alan Seidman

Those that read my column regularly realize that I am the eternal optimist. Well, now that the long awaited building boom in the Hudson Valley reaches crescendo, I am more conservative in my long range outlook. This long awaited rise in business activity………..possibly the strongest in the history of the Valley, how long does it