A company who worked to correct a gross error when installing cable in the City of Plymouth will pay a lesser fine.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi reminded the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members Monday night that QC Communications installed a cable at 2160 N. Oak Road without the proper permits and plans for a road cut and installation. As a result, the job was not done to proper specifications and the board voted to fine Comcast and subcontractor QC Communications $2,500 a day until remedied.
The companies were notified of the board’s decision on Aug. 14, the day after the meeting. The issue was remedied 43 days later which created a $107,500 fine.
Attorney Alex Hoover, acting on behalf of QC Communications, asked the board to reduce the fine, citing that the company was working under the haste of Comcast where a miscommunication occurred which led to the premature completion of the project without proper approval. Owner Mark Holland asked for a reduction of the fine to $2,500 as it was the first time the company performed a job in the city and a miscommunication caused the problem. It was noted that the company has done additional work in the city since this project and has complied with all procedures and city regulations.
Board members Jeff Houin and Bill Walters commented that the company has made amends and thought the fine was an effective wake-up call. They added that a reduction is likely not to happen again.
The board members approved a motion to reduce the fine to $2,500 on a vote of 4-1. Mayor Mark Senter had the dissenting vote while Duane Culp, Jeff Houin, Bill Walters and Shiloh Milner voted in favor of the reduction.
Following the vote, Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver recommended that an ordinance be drawn up that requires contractors to register with the city so they have all of the necessary paperwork explaining city procedures right from the beginning. The board members voted unanimously to have Surrisi draw up an ordinance for review after the first of the new year.
