Combatting Construction Fraud

LUCY PERRY

Funding sources, competition and thin margins can result in construction fraud. Contractors are often more vulnerable than owners because they juggle so many aspects of the project: materials, vendors, equipment, subcontractors, site safety and their own employees. A limited system of checks and balances can create more fraud risk.

Construction contractors understand the pressures that are simply the nature of their work. Jumping interest rates, volatile material costs, labor shortages and indecipherable project pipelines go with the territory.

Fraud can happen when economic uncertainty hits a company's shaky finances and inappropriate action is taken to mitigate the chaos.

Fraud Crushes Contractors

Procurement and change orders threaten the contractor who doesn't immediately and directly benefit from the fraudulent action.

In these situations, contractors don't get a fair shot at hiring time, according to accounting firm Grant Thornton. They also can be hurt by cash flow issues when funds are drained as a result.

Theft is an even greater risk for contractors who must manage complex logistics while juggling myriad aspects of the job. Material prices alone over the past two years have incentivized asset misappropriation, said Tim Lynch, Grant Thornton construction advisory manager.

The situation has resulted in illegal resale of materials on the black market.

"The theft of valuable material directly affects a contractor's already narrow margin" said Lynch.

Insurance may cover some of the direct cost of the theft, but there is a significant indirect cost, he said.

"Business owners now worry about locking down their inventory and wonder who they can trust instead of focusing on winning the next project."

When project-level staff are tasked with handling labor and wage compliance, violations can occur in this area. These managers and accountants are often incentivized to keep costs down and increase profits.

"Direct financial incentives provide a clear motivation for someone to commit fraud," said Alex Koltsov, Grant Thornton forensics director.

And that's why contractors need proper oversight to monitor those risks, he added.

Other factors that contribute to fraud vulnerability are remote job sites that are inherent in the construction industry. Remote job sites make it difficult to watch over assets and prevent theft, said Steve Thomason of business advisor LBMC.

Offsite work presents the ability to also conceal embezzlement by spreading out fraudulent costs over multiple contracts, he said.

Common construction fraud risks include fictitious vendors, ghost employees, vendor kickbacks and materials theft. Bid rigging, change order falsifications and cyber threats and data theft also can threaten a contractor's business.

"While many of these risks are pervasive to all industries, contractors are uniquely susceptible to fraud schemes," said Thomason.

Lynch and Koltsov believe implementing value-added solutions can prevent and limit fraudulent behavior.

"Implementing compliance programs may sound unnecessary, especially in an unfavorable economic cycle," Koltsov said. "However, we urge companies to recognize that fraud increases during these fragile times."

Failing to develop an effective construction fraud program now can lead to huge financial and time burdens later, he said.

The best way to combat construction fraud is with management oversight, preaches construction payment software developer Levelset.

Give Diligence Its Due

In general, due diligence is crucial to a project, said Alex Benarroche, Levelset legal associate.

"Try to hire local and established contractors to reduce the possibility of fraud," he said.

Inform yourself about local market conditions, availability of competition and bid pricing of comparable projects in the area.

"It's also a good idea to familiarize yourself with their business structure," said Benarroche. "Many times, subsidiary companies may be trying to conceal who the principal is. Know who you are working with."

Designate a chief compliance officer as a communication point between contractors on the project and the owner/management team.

Benarroche believes the compliance officer should not only conduct initial investigations but regular ongoing reviews as well.

"Continuous monitoring is a simple way to decrease the likelihood of fraud," he said. "Your chief compliance officer should have the power to conduct periodic audits and be able to review payrolls, invoices and contracts."

Finally, said Benarroche, stay alert. "Fraud occurs when people stop paying attention."

Implementing these measures early on in the construction project will help long-term, but staying alert will protect a contractor from fraud.

Violations can lead to lawsuits, which costs money. A history of fraud can destroy a company's reputation. "Always be vigilant," he urged.

A system of adequate segregation of duties throughout the accounting and financial processes is what Thomason of LBMC advises.

"There should be multiple employees involved in the responsibilities for authorizing [and] recording transactions."

Multiple trusted employees also should perform reconciliations and access cash funds or assets, he said.

Thomason urged contractors to focus on internal controls and segregate duties. This way, "contractors can limit the opportunities for fraud perpetrated and concealed by the same individual," said Thomason.

For instance, he said, reconciling billings and receivables should be performed by someone who does not have access to incoming payments.

"Carefully review line items and quantities on payment applications for any irregularities."

Thomason also urged contractors to monitor the jobs-in-progress schedules closely for significant overbillings or under-billings.

Always obtain competitive bids for materials and subcontracts over a certain amount. And have an employee other than the project manager review supplier and subcontractor invoices, he added. "Require dual signatures/approval on all checks or electronic funds transfers."

Pre-qualify subcontractors, verifying bonds with bonding agents and prohibiting payments unless surety bonds are on file. Also, watch out for lowest bids that are consistently awarded to the same subcontractor or supplier. Monitor the jobs in progress schedules closely for-profit fade to detect fictitious costs, advised Thomason.

Keep a close eye out for duplicate payroll payments and reconcile the W-2s and payroll tax reports to the general ledger system.

"Perform occasional jobsite visits to compare employee headcount at the job site to time reports and payroll checks/direct deposits."

On the job site, compare material quantities purchased with the original bid. Reconcile purchase orders to delivery tickets and invoices. He advises clients to install security cameras to identify theft of materials and track and monitor scrap sales of materials.

"Implementing strategies in these key areas can help alleviate a contractor's exposure to some of the most common fraud schemes," said Thomason.

Contractors risk fraud or theft because of operating environment, long history of industry fraud and opportunity for fraud post COVID-19.

"Taking the time and committing resources to prevent fraud from occurring will pay off dividends in the long run," said Thomason.

Watch for Potential Threats

When it comes to details, attention is key in Grant Thornton's suggested policies and practices.

The financial consulting firm advises contractors and owners to implement a program for business protection.

Keep on dealing with the details.

Incorporate detailed cost estimates throughout the project lifecycle, the accounting firm urged.

"One of the best ways to stop construction fraud is to stop the slush fund from filling up."

Engage qualified cost estimators and quantity surveyors who can deter fraud by monitoring market-reasonable pricing.

Vet your vendors before project commencement.

Perform risk-based due diligence, said Grant Thornton. Identify potential conflicts of interest and assess performance risk.

Recognize the regulatory risk in hiring a company or individual with a track record of law enforcement red flags.

"These proactive due diligence steps should be supported by regular site visits during construction," the firm added.

These site visits for the purpose of ensuring the chaos is actually orchestrated properly, should be a regular practice.

Fix your eyes on your high-value assets.

Implement enhanced oversight of your investments to prevent inventory shrink and theft, urges Grant Thornton.

"Companies that are already experiencing unacceptable levels of inventory shrink should aggressively minimize the opportunity for theft."

Companies that regularly hold high-value items also should protect against misappropriation.

Install video monitoring and access controls at storage and project staging locations. When scheduling staff in the logistics process, rotate individuals as you make regular assignments.

Perform regular inventory cycle counts to track any discrepancies between system records and supplies on hand. Confirm any allegations are investigated, remediated and communicated throughout your organization.

"These steps deter theft and reduce financial impact by increasing the likelihood that theft is uncovered quickly," said Grant Thornton.

Set labor compliance oversight policy from the get-go.

Incorporate a centralized system for oversight for labor compliance, one of the most manipulated costs on a construction project.

Identify and analyze labor rate anomalies against requirements and address them with management, project owner and governing bodies. Companies that manage numerous projects should develop a standardized process to collect, process, analyze and identify labor insights, believes Grant Thornton.

Build audit rights into the contract.

Contractors "should include strong audit rights in their construction contracts to deter inappropriate behavior," said the firm. "Companies should message third parties that an objective audit at project milestones or completion is good vendor hygiene and not an allegation of fault."

A third-party audit can trace not only which companies received payment but how much they were paid, notes the firm.

"An objective cost audit is often the most efficient way for a company to validate overbillings or unacceptable behavior."

These solutions and techniques can help protect businesses, believe Lynch and Koltsov.

"The controls are just as necessary in a booming economy as they are in a recession," they said. "But the potential for fraud at this time should cause business owners to pause and make sure their protections are sound." CEG

Jesse Leavenworth

MANCHESTER — Town planners have proposed broad changes to downtown Main Street, including rotaries at both ends, a dedicated bicycle lane and a reduction from four lanes to three, in part to allow wider sidewalks and encourage pedestrian traffic.

"The Downtown Manchester Improvements project," according to an online presentation, "seeks to transform the Main Street corridor between Center Street and Hartford Road into an accessible, vibrant, and equitable 'Complete Street' through a comprehensive design that includes traffic and pedestrian/bicycle safety improvements, additional public gathering spaces and enhanced streetscape complemented with strategic private development."

The project has no funding, but town staff want to have conceptual plans in place to boost chances of getting federal and state grants, officials say.

The concept is centered on a "road diet" that would cut the existing four-vehicle lanes to three, one in each direction and a center lane for left turns from either direction. The saved road space would be used for a two-way cycle track and expanded pedestrian and community areas.

Roundabouts would replace intersections at Main, Center and East Center streets at the northern end of downtown and at Main and Charter Oak streets and Hartford Road at the southern end. Modern roundabouts are designed to reduce crashes, improve traffic flow, reduce idling and vehicle emissions and increase pedestrian safety since walkers cross shorter distances against one-way traffic and vehicle speeds are reduced, municipal planners say.

The proposed bicycle path would be separated from vehicular traffic and sidewalks. Manchester planners said they believe this would be the first cycle track of its type in a downtown district in the state. The dedicated cycle lane would connect to the East Coast Greenway and offer cyclists a safer route through town, planners say.

Due to saved space from the road diet, sidewalk sections along Main Street could be widened by 8-10 feet, creating more space for outdoor dining, sidewalk sales, food vendors and other commercial and social activities, according to the town's presentation. Also, adding native plantings and more street trees would provide shade and environmental and aesthetic benefits, planners say.

If grant funding is available, streetscape construction could begin in the spring of 2024, officials said.

Downtown foot and vehicle traffic has waxed and waned through the years. The most important development recently was voters' approval of a new $39 million public library where the Webster Bank branch is now located. The 75,000-square-foot building could be completed as soon as next year, Town Manager Steve Stephanou has said. The town also recently purchased the Tong Building, a longtime eyesore across the street from the library site. The building is to be demolished and bids sought for a mixed use development.

Bull's Bridge Golf Club seeks New Milford's OK for $4.5M expansion: 'great for economic development'

Kaitlin Lyle

NEW MILFORD — A local golf club is looking to expand its clubhouse with an estimated $4.5 million construction project.

Bull's Bridge Golf Club submitted a special permit and site plan application to the New Milford Zoning Commission for kitchen and dining room additions to the existing clubhouse on Old Stone Road. Bull's Bridge, which opened in 2004, encompasses 71 Bull's Bridge Road in South Kent and stretches into Old Stone Road in New Milford. Bull's Bridge declined to comment. 

Mayor Pete Bass said there are several New Milford residents that use the club's golf course and have given it positive reviews.

"People like the fact that there's investment in the golf course," Bass said of the club's proposed additions. "To me, personally, it's great when you can have extra amenities put in and have additional people use the facilities, whether they are from New Milford or Kent or beyond, and anytime you can add to that, it's great for economic development and we're looking forward to their progression."

The 400-acre course is ranked on the Best in State list compiled by Golf Digest magazine and was designed by Tom Fazio, "one of America’s greatest living golf architects," according to Bull's Bridge's website. The existing clubhouse has men's and women's locker rooms, a golf shop, oak bar, stone fireplace and full-service kitchen, the website states. 

Under the proposed plan, the clubhouse’s kitchen would be expanded to accommodate walk-in freezers, and a new dining room would be added to the existing clubhouse, according to the application. 

The club’s site plan application calls for the construction of a new golf house that will be connected to the existing clubhouse by a breezeway. 

The proposed golf house will be used by members only and have locker rooms and its own subsurface sewage system.

The project also proposes creating a revised parking area with 116 parking spaces — five of which will be handicap accessible  — as well as crushing the clubhouse’s existing sewage tanks and abandoning the clubhouse’s existing well. 

A new well would be installed in the former well’s place and a new septic tank would be installed.

Bull's Bridge Golf Club’s special permit and site plan application was reviewed at the Zoning Commission’s meeting on March 28. A public hearing for the application will be held May 9.

Wilton to begin paving on Belden Hill Road, working on bridges on Arrowhead Road and Lovers Lane

Karen Tensa

WILTON — With the arrival of spring, Wilton will begin working on road improvement projects in town. 

The construction work will involve paving on Belden Hill Road and rebuilding of bridges on Arrowhead Road and Lovers Lane, according to the Wilton Department of Public Works. 

Milling and paving work will begin on Belden Hill Road, between Ridgefield Road/Route 33 and Wolfpit Road, starting Monday, weather permitting, DPW said in a statement. Work hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The town plans on working the full week through Friday, April 14, while the Wilton Public Schools are on spring vacation. "We anticipate completing (milling and paving of) approximately 75 percent of the road during this week, with the remainder to be completed over the summer months," DPW said in a statement. 

For the safety of all, the road will be closed while work is underway. The roadway will be open for drivers traveling to their homes on Belden Hill Road and adjacent streets. 

The road will also be open for emergency vehicles. 

During the construction times, follow the detour signs or seek alternate routes. Traffic control will be in place to assist drivers. 

Road surface may have raised structures until it is paved. Drivers should exercise caution on Belden Hill Road.

Work is slated to begin in April on the reconstruction of the Arrowhead Road Bridge and Lovers Lane Bridge. 

According to DPW, both projects will consist of:

• Relocating existing overhead utilities; 

• Installing a temporary bridge to allow one lane of alternating traffic;

• Installing temporary traffic lights at both ends of the temporary bridge; and 

• Removing the existing bridge and installing a new bridge.

Both projects are slated for completion in the summer of 2024.

All school bus stops will remain at their current locations even with the two bridge projects. 

Brunalli Construction Co. is the project contractor for the Arrowhead Road Bridge project. For the Lovers Lane Bridge project, Dayton Construction Co. is the project contractor. 

Drivers should allow extra time when traveling through any of these work areas.

Residents seeking to access Merwin Meadows Park are warned of construction delays on Lovers Lane. 

"We also encourage residents interested in using the trail system to utilize the new pedestrian bridge to access the trail. Residents can park at the Wilton Train Station parking lot on Station Road," DPW said in a statement.

Luxury apartment plan met with pushback from East Haven residents

Austin Mirmina

EAST HAVEN — A Branford construction company has proposed to build more than 70 luxury apartments on a private road near the town's shoreline, prompting backlash from local beach community residents.

Vigliotti Construction Co., based in Branford, submitted an application to the East Haven Planning and Zoning Commission for a four-story, 21,000 square-foot luxury apartment building on a vacant 3.4-acre lot at 71 South Shore Drive, a private road in the southwest corner of the town's Momauguin section.

The site is bounded by Silver Sands Road to the north and west, Catherine Street to the east and the Cosey and Silver Sands beaches to the south, less than a half-mile away. South Shore Drive is also home to The Village at Mariner's Point, an assisted living facility.

Project officials said the upscale apartment building, named the Mariner's Point Apartments, would be geared toward housing young, wealthy professionals. According to the plans, the building would have 72 one- and two-bedroom, market-rate units, and also feature a fitness room, rooftop deck and other amenities.

"Looking at that young professional, they really like to move around (and) go to different places," Ray Sullivan, of the Sullivan Architectural Group, told the Planning and Zoning Commission during a public hearing on the application Wednesday night. "Rooftop amenities are popular for that clientele."

For the project, Sullivan said his team sought to create an upscale design with various amenities to attract "well-positioned young professionals," adding, "I think that is reflected both in unit sizes and the building design."

The initial project plans did not include any affordable units. However, Leonard Fasano, of Fasano, Ippolito, Lee and Florentine, the applicant's attorney, said they would be willing to designate some of the units as affordable as defined by state law. "If that’s what the town wants us to have, we will do that," Fasano said.

Town Zoning Enforcement Officer Joseph Budrow said he would like to see affordable units included in the building plans because "young professionals starting out still need something affordable for them."

While the proposed development would help bolster East Haven's housing portfolio, some residents who criticized the proposal Wednesday argued it would disrupt the surrounding beach community.

Cynthia Sparago, who lives on Caroline Road, said she worried about excessive noise coming from the rooftop deck, which project officials originally called a rooftop bar but later clarified that the establishment would not seek a liquor license. "Anyone who lives out there really enjoys the summer breeze off the ocean, which carries all of the noise with it," Sparago said. "In a community where the noise ordinance says nine o'clock, you’re going to have a lot of issues with the rooftop bar."

Denise Santabarbara, who lives on Catherine Street, pleaded with PZC members not to consider approving the project. At one point, she repeatedly yelled "ban it" from her seat in the audience.

"Every single person in this beach community … is going to be affected by the cars coming in here, the traffic, all the kids going to the school," Santabarbara said. "Every single thing needs to be reevaluated."

Other shoreline residents said they feared that upper-floor tenants in the apartment building would be able to see directly into their nearby backyards, ruining their privacy. 

"I got a Jacuzzi and I want to enjoy it," one resident said. "I don’t want to have to worry about people looking at me."

Lifetime East Haven resident Monica Buonocore said that apartment tenants would be watching her swim in the pool of her Catherine Street home. "I’m all for progress, but I think we’re overbuilding in this town," Buonocore said.

According to Vigliotti's application, the PZC had approved a developer's plans to build a six-story apartment building with 72 residential units on that same South Shore Drive property in 2006. Those plans never came to fruition. Vigliotti Construction eventually bought the property, and is now requesting that the PZC re-approve the site plan from 2006.

Vigliotti's proposal is the latest in a slew of controversial housing projects recently considered by town zoning officials. In February, the commission approved a 55-and-older residential complex with 378 units on Sperry Lane and Foxon Boulevard. The project, initially proposed in 2016, encountered multiple setbacks, including concerns over rock blasting at the project site.

The PZC then approved a Superior Court-proposed stipulated judgement for another embattled housing project on Strong Street. Those plans now call for 69 standalone, market-rate apartments. Autumn View LLC, the project's developer, still needs to obtain the necessary building permits from the town before work can begin.

The influx of proposed housing projects led the PZC to propose a four-month ban on applications for multifamily and multi-unit developments. Officials said the moratorium would allow time to craft regulations requiring developers to include affordable units as part of future projects. The Vigliotti Construction apartment application would not be subject to the ban.

The PZC voted to continue the public hearings for the moratorium and the luxury apartment building to its May 3 meeting.

Town officials have recently sought ways to increase East Haven's affordable housing stock. Last month, the Town Council approved a new five-year housing plan designed to promote and establish greater affordability for cost-burdened residents. 

In 2022, East Haven had 983 affordable units, or about 7.84 percent of its housing stock. But that number has since increased to 8.27 percent, town Land Use attorney Jennifer Coppola said, falling shy of the 10 percent required under state statute.

$100 million approved for housing initiatives in Connecticut

Ken Dixon

HARTFORD — The State Bond Commission on Thursday approved about $100 million for a variety of workforce and market-rate housing programs, including a popular down-payment program for first-time homeowners.

About $20 million will be set aside for first-time buyer assistance, loaning eligible residents down payments of up to 25 percent of the cost of a home, with a maximum of $50,000. The program currently awaits new funding.   

More than $70 million was approved for a grants and loans for the state's Flexible Housing Program, including $4 million for the construction of 154  units in New Britain for people making between 30 percent and 80 percent of area median incomes worth. About $50 million of the $70 million is to support and leverage funding for affordable dwellings throughout the state to be decided through the state Department of Housing.

"We had more housing starts last year than any time this century," Lamont said. "We're going to do a big increase in housing in the next (state budget) biennium." He estimated a goal of the state investing $600 million in the two-year budget period starting July 1. "Make sure that folks have a place to live. Make sure the workers who want to come to the state or stay in the state have a place to live. These are the investments that have great long-term effects for the state."  

Among other individual items approved Friday was $2.4 million for 39 new affordable units at Stamford's Pacific House, Inc.

Brandon McGee, a former state lawmaker who is a deputy commissioner in the state Department of Housing, told reporters after the half-hour bond commission meeting that he and other members of Lamont's administration are negotiating with members of the state House and Senate to see what initiatives can win support before the midnight June 7 adjournment deadline.

"When I think of housing, I think of opportunities for generational wealth, addressing the lack of affordable housing in the state of Connecticut," McGee said. "Today, Gov. Lamont provided some financial support in particular for programs Like Time to Own, the one-time down-payment assistance program for Connecticut residents, particularly those in communities represented by the most-disenfranchised and those looking to be a part of Connecticut's history."

McGee described that current talks with legislative leaders as progressing "and figuring out how do we address the lack of housing throughout our cities, our rural neighborhoods, our suburban neighborhoods," said McGee, a former chairman of the legislative Housing Committee. "And the conversation is just starting, and we're excited about the opportunities we have to work alongside these leaders. Let's be frank. We have a rich history of not-in-my-front-yard. So we have to have those conversations, respectfully, as we move forward."

Among legislation that passed the committee process and awaits further action is a bill that would allow housing authorities in one city or town to join in partnerships in adjacent towns to create new housing opportunities. Lamont has also proposed incentives for communities that support housing developments near transit hubs.

State Bond Commission directs more than $31 million to region

Elizabeth Regan

The Connecticut Bond Commission this week sent more than $31 million in funding to southeastern Connecticut to bolster economic development, make small harbors safer and more accessible, improve air quality in schools, and upgrade one city library.

Among the largest allocations was a new Community Investment Fund created last year for historically underserved neighborhoods.

The commission earmarked $19 million for a Norwich business park, a New London community center and improvements to Poquetanuck Village in Preston.

The Norwich Community Development Corporation received $11.3 million to fund 2,700 feet of a new access road into the 384-acre second business park in Occum from Route 97 near the Interstate 395 Exit 18 ramp to an intersection with Canterbury Turnpike.

New London received $7.2 million for the construction of a projected $40 million community center at Fort Trumbull. The long-awaited center will offer a space for recreational activities, rooms for educational and community use and house the city's recreation and youth affairs departments.

The city already had $35 million for the project, including the $30 million bond approved previously by the City Council, federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and state grants. In January, the city approved the project’s first contract totaling $30 million for infrastructure costs but doubt remained on where the remaining funds for the overall project would come from.

Preston received $400,000 to pay for design and engineering work for the Poquetanuck Village traffic calming project. The plan calls for creating a village atmosphere for the historic section of town now used as a speedway between routes 2 and 12.

Preston has received preliminary approval for a $3 million Local Transportation Capital Improvements Program grant for construction of the proposed improvements, but lacked the funding for design and engineering work.

State Rep. Holly Cheeseman, R-East Lyme, a ranking member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee with a seat on the Bond Commission, described the program as one of the largest boons to the region.

She said the authorization was good news for Norwich, New London and Preston, even as she acknowledged other communities were left disappointed.

She pointed to Montville, which earlier this year requested $1.6 million for a proposed $2.3 million animal control facility. The money would supplement $800,000 in pandemic relief funds allocated by the town.

Cheeseman also represents portions of Montville and Salem.

She said Community Investment Fund administrators will work with towns that didn’t receive the award “to help them figure out where they fell short” so they can apply again.

The program will award up to $175 million each fiscal year through 2027. Applications for the next round are due by June 15.

Port Authority

Norwich and Preston benefited from more than half a million dollars for improvements to small harbors through a Connecticut Port Authority program.

The commission authorized $289,490 to address decaying pilings at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park at Norwich Harbor as part of a wider effort to replace floating concrete docks and ramps at the aging facility. The final chunk of state money leaves the total $1 million upgrade project fully funded.

The state is covering 80% of the overall project, with the city picking up 20%. The city’s share already is in place as part of the capital improvements budget and a portion of the city’s federal American Rescue Plan Act grant.

Norwich Harbor Management Commission Chairman H. Tucker Braddock on Thursday said the project went out to bid this week. He hopes the work will be complete within 12 months.

He noted the upgrades will make the facility safer and accessible to those with disabilities.

“We hope it will bring more people from greater distances down to the water that may not otherwise have an opportunity to be on the water,” he said.

The commission also approved $45,000 to cover design costs for an improved stone walkway leading from Norwich’s riverfront Heritage Walkway to the bank of the Yantic River. The site now features large stone slabs, but the stones have shifted over the years, with one large slab out of place.

Stonington received $250,000 to formalize plans for an upgrade to the north pier of the Town Dock. The money is in addition to $900,000 in federal funding announced earlier this year.

Town Engineer Chris Greenlaw in Feburary said the ultimate cost will not be known until a preliminary design and cost estimate are completed.

The north pier at the nearly two-century-old Town Dock is in need of repair due to age, sea level rise, erosion and wave damage. An application for the federal funding stated the 100 pilings are all in various stages of damage, along with the framing system beneath the dock.

State Rep. Aundre Bumgardner, D-Groton, said the money will support the continued operations of the state’s last commercial fishing fleet.

““Stonington’s Borough and the 41st District have been doing sea-to-table since 1750, and I applaud the Bond Commission for supporting our small businesses and shoreline economy,” he said.

Air quality and a library

The commission allocated $75 million to the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services’ HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools for upgrades to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

The air quality program is funded by the bond commission allocation and $75 million from the state’s share of federal pandemic-relief funds. Lamont on Wednesday announced the first round of funding, which directs $56 million in grant awards to 49 schools.

Locally, that shakes out to $6.2 million for Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, $3.05 million for Lyme Consolidated School, $2.7 million for Center School and $55,208 to Preston Veterans’ Memorial School.

In Lyme-Old Lyme, HVAC work comprises the bulk of planned upgrades to four of the district’s five buildings estimated to cost $57.5 million. The Preston funds will cover 61% of the $89,872 total project cost for updating and replacing air controls.

The commission also voted to send $95,000 to the New London Public Library for building improvements to bathrooms, reading rooms and elevators. The money was directed to the New London library after funds previously allocated to libraries in Sharon, Greenwich and Derby went unused