2 Pittsfield Companies Fined For Hiring Undocumented Workers

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two city companies have been fined for hiring undocumented workers.

Jae's Spice was fined $3,000 and Sampco Inc. was fined $550 as the result of an audit from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

The audit comprised of reviews of the Form I-9s from employers suspected hiring employees who are not legally allowed to work in the United States. The forms are filled out for every individual an employer hires. A total of 17 state employers were fined for fiscal 2012 for a total of $349,619.

"These settlements serve as a reminder to employers that HSI will continue to hold them accountable for hiring and maintaining a legal and compliant workforce," said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston, in a statement released on Wednesday. "We encourage employers to take the employment verification process seriously, as we expand the number of audits we are conducting throughout Massachusetts each year. My agency will continue to focus its attention on employers that are knowingly employing illegal workers and will continue to target specific industries and businesses known or alleged to hire illegals."

Fines in Massachusetts:
  • Alliance for Affordable Housing Inc. of Everett, $888.25;
  • Amex Inc. of East Boston,  $70,000;
  • Bread & Company Inc. of Everett, $9,804;
  • Cap Seafood Inc. of New Bedford, $9,804;
  • Danco Retail Food Outlet Inc. of Worcester, $935;
  • Fruitlands Restaurant, Inc., aka Sorrento's Pizza, of Harvard,  $2,805;
  • Jae's Spice of Pittsfield, $3,000;
  • Leechen Restaurant Inc. of Lawrence, $9,441.63;
  • Metropolitan Linen Services Corp. of Everett, $13,635.19;
  • Northern Pelagic Group LLC (NORPEL) of New Bedford, $151,200;
  • Ocean Crest Seafoods of Gloucester, $9,000;
  • Panda House Inc. of Westfield, $4,675;
  • Pier Fish Company Inc. of New Bedford, $2,200;
  • Quality Workforce Inc. of Brockton, $26,881.25;
  • Samar Company Inc. of Stoughton, $33,786.22;
  • Sampco Inc. of Pittsfield, $550; and
  • STAT Products Inc. of Ashland, $1,014.

Tags: federal fines,   ICE,   undocumented workers,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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