February 27, 2009 Spa City's recreation facility faces yet another challenge Union official files charge
By THOMAS DIMOPOULOS
tdimopoulos@poststar.com
Updated: Friday, February 27, 2009 12:20 PM EST
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- A "stop bid order" has been issued by the state Department of Labor against the city of Saratoga Springs regarding the city's indoor recreation facility project.
The action prohibits the city from performing any work on the project until it complies with requirements of the Wicks Law, according to the order.
Under Wicks Law, the city was required to solicit multiple bids for various aspects of the project, such as general contracting, heating, electrical work and plumbing, said Larry Bulman, state political director for the New York Pipe Trades, a labor union.
Bulman, who is also chairman of the county Democratic Committee, filed the complaint with the department of labor on Tuesday. The stop bid order was issued by the department on Thursday.
A day earlier, a temporary restraining order was issued by Saratoga County Supreme Court Judge Thomas Nolan halting any potential alteration to the south side location the city has targeted for its $6.5 million indoor recreation facility. That order was issued at the request of The Friends of Southside Park, a group of residents who allege that the city failed to follow proper procedures in relocating the planned facility to the south side location.
City taxpayers are paying approximately $400,000 per year in debt service for the project.
Mayor Scott Johnson was not immediately available for comment.
