TRUMBULL COUNTY Warren fines company over paving delays

The project was to be completed early last week.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The city is fining a Girard excavating company $1,000 a day for not completing the Parkman Road paving project on time.
"They've expired their rain days," Fred Harris, safety-service director, said of Rhino Excavating & amp; Milling.
The company is the contractor for the $869,852 project which includes state Issue 2 money. Harris said he's been getting complaints for about two weeks from residents and businesses near the Parkman-Palmyra Road intersection because of the inconvenience. The project was to be completed early last week.
"I don't see it being completed any time soon," Harris added.
Rhino officials couldn't be reached.
City visit
Harris said a representative from the state visited the city Tuesday after complaints that the contractor isn't paying prevailing wages. The city employee who handles prevailing wage issues requested assistance from the state, Harris said.
"We've gotten reports that they aren't paying the prevailing wage," he said.
Harris said he's also concerned because of septic systems left uncovered during the work.
Earlier this year, the Niles chapter of the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association filed a lawsuit against the company in Niles small-claims court, contending that Rhino hadn't paid $2,595 to police officers and deputy sheriffs who worked traffic detail during a 2002 construction project on Robbins Avenue.
The lawsuit was dropped the following week after the owner paid the amount.
Harris said he wanted to meet with the city's law and engineering departments today to see what the options are.
"I want to see about possibly taking them off the job," Harris said.