WEST CHESTER—Borough Council unanimously passed a resolution to hire only responsible contractors that provide skilled training and pay a prevailing wage for workers on projects awarded at more than $250,000.
“There is going to be a cost to this and the cost to the taxpayer will go up, but it’s worth it due to the liability,” Council President Michael Stefano said.
Councilman Nick Allen wants all employees to be treated fairly.
“It’s worth the price,” he said.
Councilman Brian McGinnis sparked the action and disagreed with Stefano. With responsible contractors there will be fewer change orders and tax income from worker’s salaries will add to borough coffers.
“This is a pro-taxpayer ordinance that enables job quality standards for contractors in West Chester Borough,” McGinnis said. “This ordinance will also prevent unscrupulous contractors from paying workers off the books, or, less often, as independent contractors when they clearly shouldn’t.
“That allows them to evade state, local, and federal taxes, so they can illegally lower their labor costs to underbid law-abiding companies.”
The borough will realize a boost in taxes.
“We need all the revenue that we can get,” McGinnis said. “This ordinance helps us collect revenue via the local Earned Income Tax.”
The resolution reads that public works contracts are to be performed by qualified “responsible” contractors and subcontractors that meet “essential performance criteria, including: (a) satisfactory records of past performance, including compliance with applicable laws and industry regulations; and (b) adequate present performance capabilities, including contractor and subcontractor competency and availability of skilled craft personnel.”
The resolution reads that contractors need to provide skilled training to construction craft personnel and have an adequate supply of trained and skilled construction workers.
Former Mayor and State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, D-19th of West Chester, said the resolution sends a very important message to the public and the business community and ensures that contractors treat employees with respect.
Councilman Bernie Flynn graduated from a trade school, was a tradesman for 42 years and wishes more people would go into the trades.
“We want to make sure that people who come into the borough know what they’re doing,” Flynn said. “Pay a little bit more money because of the expertise.”
Borough Manager Sean Metrick said that since 2017, 14 borough projects have exceeded the $250,000 threshold. Nine borough projects have topped $250,000 since 2019.
Those projects included work in public parks, storm water improvements, wastewater work and installation of traffic signals.
Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste wondered whether minority workers would be hired.
McGinnis said that apprenticeship graduates are more likely to be minorities, veterans and women.
“It helps level the playing field,” McGinnis said.
