News

Carpenters on Long Island are hard at work on a new multi-phase sewer project that will create jobs through its completion in 2026. The Posillico-Bove joint venture currently has six union carpenters from Local 290 working on the Forge River Watershed, doing site preparation. That number will increase considerably in the coming months as heavy concrete work begins. There will be 12-15,000 square feet of poured in place concrete and other carpentry work involved.

The project broke ground in Suffolk County in January and will include a wastewater treatment plant, individual sewer connections and a new conveyance system for almost 2,000 parcels. It will eliminate existing septic systems that have been polluting the Forge River, marshlands and the bay.

Funding for the $225 million infrastructure project is coming from both the federal and state level, thanks in part to Republican Congressman Andrew Garbarino. It is fully covered by a project labor agreement in accordance with an executive order issued by President Joe Biden earlier this year that mandates such agreements on any projects receiving more than $35 million from the federal government.

Though this project was already funded before comprehensive infrastructure bills were passed, Garbarino has consistently supported those, too, even over the objections of some in his party.

Thanks also go to Governor Kathy Hochul (D), NYS Senator Anthony Palumbo (R), NYS Assemblyman Joe DiStefano (R), Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D) and Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) for supporting the state funding for this project.

The connection between carpenter hours and carpenter politics is real: all elected officials mentioned have been endorsed by the union!