By Alberto Surís
With the intention of guiding the community especially the merchants, State Representative Frank Moran called a meeting with state officials representing the Department of Industrial Accidents and Professional Licensing Division of Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
As explained by Representative Moran, Ms. Julia Silverio, owner with her husband Dario Silverio of Silverio Insurance, approached him with the concern that state inspectors of the organizations listed above were presenting in the establishments asking for all kinds of documents and if they didn’t have them, they would be fined or barred from their place of work.
Silverio believes that this is unfair, so Representative Moran convened a panel composed of Robert Cronin, Alan Green, Rene Fuertes, and Nilton Monteiro, of the Department of Industrial Accidents and Christopher Carroll, chief researcher at the Division of Professional Licensure.
We heard explanations from the members of the panel that they come to Lawrence not looking for illegal business to fine or shut down. The problem arises when some businesses are not operating within the law by not having the necessary documentation.
Inspectors clearly explained that the way the law is written, does not allow them to make concessions such as time to catch up. The law is strict: you cannot open a business without the necessary insurance and if they are open, they have to fine them until they obtain the proper permits.
Rene Fuertes explained about the need for Workmen’s Compensation Insurance for a business that has employees. “The fine for not having that insurance is $100 a day,” he said.
In case of an accident, the government is responsible for the costs and needs of the employee when they are covered by Workmen’s Comp, “But the government seizes what the business owner has if they make a claim and are not covered properly,” said Alan Green, Director of Investigations, Department of Industrial Accidents.
Julia Silverio asked to stop the Stop Work Orders. “By the time an investigator arrives, it is costing up to $1,000.00 in fines and penalties. The city needs to do more to educate merchants, “Julia said. “The public does not receive information about requirements to open and maintain a business.”
Councilor Jeovanny Rodriguez was curious how inspectors see barbershops. “They are subcontractors because they simply rent a chair, but they are not the owners of the premises.” The barber shops receive fines of $250 per day according to Councilor Rodriguez.
The reason for such fines is because there are apprentices and Masters and both must be properly licensed. “The barbers answer to a state mandate and are inspected at the end of 10 days after settling into their business,” said Christopher Carroll, Chief Investigator of the Division of Professional Licensure. “Everything is for consumer protection.”
The meeting was attended by Senator Barbara L’Italien, Representatives Marcos Devers and Frank Moran, the inspectors suggested that they resolve the situation by requesting an amendment to the established law.
Senator L’Italien also suggested for the state to publish a bilingual brochure outlining the necessary requirements before setting up an office or space. Mr. Robert Cronin, Director of Investigation of the Department of Industrial Accidents said that he has thought about doing that.
