Rolando’s Restaurant Owner Dino Bomova has a lot of meat in his freezer, but it’s nothing like the size of the beef he has with a construction project along his property on Route 67.
Currently the town is nearing completion of the $890,000, 3/4‑mile sewer extension project on Route 67 that began in January at the intersection of Great Hill Road. It will end at the foot of West Street.
The project is now in the vicinity of Park Road and West Street, the area of Rolando’s Restaurant.
In a letter dated Aug. 24, Bomova notified the town’s Sewer Commission, who oversees the project, that he is not happy with the “unprofessionalism” he witnessed from contractor Haynes Construction.
“I am unsatisfied with the lack of communication and poor safety precautions in handling the project on my property,” he said.
The past month has not been kind to Bomova’s business, located across the street from Tommy K’s Plaza.
On Aug. 20, Haynes Construction, the project’s contractor struck a gas line leading to Bomova’s restaurant. The incident shut down the intersection for approximately three hours, and caused Bomova to close for the day.
Bomova said employees were evacuated from the building and he had to discard much of food inventory in the restaurant.
“There was not time to put the food back into the cooler and everything had to be thrown out,” he said.
Bomova said even though he was open the next day, he lost profits due to the incident.
Bomova contacted his insurance company and an attorney to make a claim, which has not yet been determined.
Haynes Construction could not be reached for comment.
Bomova said the project has been in front of his building for the past month and has been bad for business.
He said police blocked entrances to his restaurant while Haynes Construction left heavy machinery on the property — along with construction debris.
“They come and do what they want without any explanations,” he said.
Assistant Manager Josh Miller of A‑1 Pools and Spa next door to Rolando’s said police were “less than helpful” when his business couldn’t be accessed for three days.
Miller said the business lost an estimated $3500 in potential sales during that stretch.
“Customers called the police department to complain that they couldn’t get to us, but the police provided no help,” he said.
Resident Trooper Sgt. Dan Semosky said Bomova had not made a formal complaint to the police. He said it it is the officer’s job to keep traffic moving.
“We have to do what is safe for motorists, workers and pedestrians,” he said. “We try to be accommodating to everyone.”
Water Pollution Control Authority Maintenance Supervisor Scott Halsted had no comment on Bomova’s letter at the sewer commission meeting Monday, but said he was told Bomova and Haynes Construction had “come to an “agreement” amongst themselves.
“This is no longer an issue,” he said.
Bomova contends he is having negotiations with Haynes Construction company but there is nothing in writing.
“Right now there are only promises,” he said. “There has been no action yet.”
Commissioner Nils Guillet said he had a discussion with Bomova before the meeting and told him there should be no issues.
“When the project is over and (if) he is not happy with the clean up, we will hear about it.”
