Department reports 29 closed files, 11 new complaints and $6,000 in forfeitures to plumbing board

The Department of Consumer Protection's investigation division reported to the Plumbing Piping Work Examining Board on April 24 that it closed 29 files, opened 11 new complaints and collected $6,000 in assurances of voluntary compliance and forfeitures during the reporting period. Investigation supervisor Junita (last name on file) said the division conducts random site inspections statewide and continues joint inspections with the Connecticut Department of Labor Wage and Workplace Standards (Wage and Hour unit). Junita told the board the inspections have yielded violations that resulted in either voluntary assurances of compliance or referrals to the legal unit for further action. Board members praised the investigators' field work. Chair Charles Appleby thanked the investigative staff for their efforts and asked that a report be circulated to the board summarizing field activity. Junita said where licensed respondents are involved, the department schedules compliance meetings with legal staff and noted that some matters will proceed to formal enforcement. She asked board members whether they had questions; board members offered thanks for the work and had no immediate action requests. The report signals continuing enforcement activity and cooperation between the department and the Department of Labor unit that handles wage-and-hour compliance at job sites.