Holiday Party Benefits Toys for Tots

Many NJSA members gathered recently for a night of networking and celebration, and also made a significant contribution of new toys to the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program.  The event was held at McLoone’s Boat House in West Orange, NJ.  Over the last 4 years, NJSA member firms have contributed nearly $5,000.00 in new, unwrapped toys to the USMC program.

4 NJ Towns OK School Construction, 2 Reject

New Jersey voters have approved school building projects totaling more than $42 million in Park Ridge, Robbinsville, South Amboy and Westfield.

School renovations proposed in two other towns, Bellmawr and Midland Park were rejected.  The largest of the approved projects was in Robbinsville, Mercer County, where the school district plans to build additions and renovate two schools at a cost of nearly $19 million.

New Jersey Subcontractors Association Continues Strong Legislative Advocacy on Behalf of Members

NJSA staff and leadership are active in Trenton on a daily basis protecting the best interests of New Jersey’s subcontracting community.  Current legislation on which we a working includes a bill to allow the early release of retainage for subcontractors whose work is completed and accepted; this bill also allows interest on retainage to accrue to contractors and subcontractors.  The bill (S53 and A1729) is sponsored by Senator Richard Codey and Assemblyman Gerald Green.  NJSA was successful in moving this bill through the legislative process last session; however it was pocket vetoed by Governor Christie.  NJSA is working closely with the Governor’s office to address any concerns they may have had last session.

NJSA is also actively pushing for approval of A2924/S2158 which requires the release of planholder lists prior to bid date under Local Public Contracts law.  This issue has been supported by the subcontracting community for many years and we continue to advocate for approval of this important public policy initiative.  The legislation is sponsored by Assemblyman Troy Singleton and Senate President Steve Sweeney.

NJSA T-Shirts Available to Benefit Scholarship Fund

NJSA has a limited number of NJSA logo short sleeve T-Shirts available for purchase.  Proceeds will benefit the NJSA Scholarship Fund.  T-Shirts are $15 and are available in Safety Orange or Navy Blue.  Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to place your order and please specify large, extra-large or double extra large.

Ron Amorese Promoted by The Blue Book

Congratulations to longtime NJSA member and supporter Ron Amorese who has been promoted to Director, Southeast at The Blue Book Building & Construction Network.  Ron has developed very strong relationships with many NJSA members and firms and has been a strong supporter of NJSA events and programs for many years.  We wish Ron well in his new position.  Ron’s replacement will begin work early next year.

41st Annual NJSA Awards Dinner Dance Scheduled for January 12, 2013

Despite having to reschedule our event due to Hurricane Sandy, the 41st Annual NJSA Awards program is sure to be one of the most fun and productive events of the year.  This is one of the premier networking and business development programs in the state.  Our awardees this year include:

Subcontractor of the Year - Hillcrest Paving & Excavating, Inc.
General Contractor of the Year - Sordoni Construction Co.
Distinguished Lifetime Leadership Award - Barry Donahue, Esq.
Associate Member of the Year - The Blue Book Building and Construction Network

NJSA Safety Awardees:
Alpine Painting & Sandblasting Contractors
B.J. McGlone & Co., Inc.
Eii, Inc.
Forest Electric Corp.
Hillcrest Paving and Excavating, Inc.
Landmark Fire Protection, Inc.
Linear Electric Co., Inc.
MMC Contractors
Scalfo Electric, Inc.

We will also be recognizing firms which have been active members of NJSA for 20 or more years.  Those firms include:

• City Newark Glass
• Midhattan Woodworking
• Zack Painting
• Artisan Tile & Marble Co. of NJ
• True & Associates
• S.M. Electric Co. Inc.
• Fromkin Brothers
• Union County Plate Glass Co.
• ENR/NY- McGraw-Hill
• Del Turco Brothers, Inc.
• Bonland Industries
• Boss Glass Co., Inc.
• VAL Floors, Inc.
• Landmark Fire Protection, Inc.
• Crisdel Group, Inc.
• Kiker Sheet Metal Corp.
• Consolidated Steel & Alum. Fence
• Fine Group
• B.J. McGlone & Co., Inc.
• Sheet Metal Contractors of Central & So. NJ
• GAR Equipment Corp.
• Lessner Electric

Please use the program announcement linked here to register your attendees.

Save the Date!!!
New Jersey Subcontractors Association Calendar of Events for 2013

Membership Dinner Meetings:

• January 31, 2013
• February 28, 2013
• April 25, 2013
• September 26, 2013
• October 24th, 2013

Meet the General Contractors Night:

• March 21, 2013

NJSA Golf Classic:

• May 21, 2013

Other educational, networking and business development events will be added throughout the year.

Annual Awards Dinner Update

In light of the tremendous damage inflicted upon our State and our fellow New Jerseyans by the recent hurricane, and considering the fact that many NJSA member firms are working diligently to assist in relief, storm clean-up, and storm related repairs, we have decided to postpone our 41st Annual Awards Dinner. The event will take place on January 12, 2013. All other details will remain the same.

November Bond Act to Benefit Higher Education Capital Construction

The Building Our Future Act establishes a referendum on the November ballot seeking public approval for a $750 million investment to fund higher education capital projects in New Jersey. The initiative maintains broad political support from legislative leadership of both parties and Governor Christie. The Act won nearly unanimous approval from both the Senate and the Assembly. NJSA Supports this important proposal which will provide much needed investment in higher education facilities.  More Information is available at Building Our Future Bond Act

Merck Moving Corporate Headquarters to Summit

Drugmaker Merck & Co. today announced plans to relocate its global headquarters from the Whitehouse Station section of Readington to an existing research, development and manufacturing facility in Summit as another step in consolidating office space to lower operating costs.

By mid-2015, Merck will close the Whitehouse Station headquarters and move approximately 1,100 employees and contractors to Summit, a spokesman said, and will divide 900 other workers between its locations in Branchburg and the Cokesbury section of Tewksbury. The Summit building currently houses 1,800 people in research, manufacturing, animal health, consumer care and administrative departments.

J.H. Cohn LLP and Reznick Group, P.C. Combine Firms, Form CohnReznick LLP

J.H. Cohn LLP and Reznick Group, P.C., two of the top-20 accounting and consulting firms in the U.S., today announced the completion of their combination, forming CohnReznick LLP.  CohnReznick is now the 11th largest firm in the country with 25 offices, 2,000 employees and combined revenues of more than $450 million. J.H. Cohn has been a longstanding member and supporter of NJSA.  More information is available at CohnReznick

Construction Roundtable of NJ Hosts 4th Annual Diversity in Construction Conference

The Construction Roundtable of New Jersey recently hosted their 4th Annual Diversity in Construction Conference at Farleigh Dickinson University. Nearly 150 attendees heard from a wide range of speakers with the goal of expanding opportunities for small, minority-owned, female-owned, and emerging businesses in the construction economy.

A rousing keynote address was delivered by Newark Mayor Cory Booker.  Other speakers included representatives from organizations which support and promote small and diverse businesses, and governmental representatives including Marc Larkins, CEO of the NJ Schools Development Authority, Wallace Caban, Assistant Chief Engineer for the Port Authority of NY/NJ, and Elizabeth Mackay, Senior Advisor to Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.

Major Construction Management firms and Project Owners also participated to advise attendees about upcoming work opportunities. The Conference was sponsored by Honeywell, Inc.

NJ Schools Development Authority Advertises $87 Million High School Project

The New Jersey Schools Development Authority has recently announced the advertisement of the Phillipsburg High School project.  This is one of the largest construction projects in NJ this year. The SDA previously completed site work including the removal of large rock outcroppings, grading of soil to within one foot of final building elevation, construction of runoff prevention system and athletic fields. DIGroup Architecture of New Brunswick, NJ is the architect for the project. Heery International of Newark, NJ is the construction manager. The High School will be the second new facility built in Phillipsburg by the SDA.

The SDA completed construction of the Phillipsburg Early Childhood Center in 2006. This new project was selected for advancement as part of the 2012 Capital Project Portfolio announced by the Governor in February 2012.

The construction of this highly anticipated school will result in a 330,021 square foot facility to accommodate 1,846 students in grades nine to twelve that will be located on a 122 acre hilltop site in Lopatcong, NJ. The building includes 50 general classrooms, six special education classrooms, 12 Small Group Instruction rooms, three Health Classrooms, 12 science related classrooms, three business labs, three computer labs, vocal and instrument music rooms, a media center, an auditorium, a cafeteria and a gymnasium. The High School will also contain Vocational spaces that will offer instruction in areas including agriculture, materials, child development, foods, textiles, electronics, and energy/transportation. The school is anticipated for completion in August 2016.

Follow NJSA on Twitter !!!

You can receive timely and relevant updates on NJSA events and activities by following us on Twitter.  Just visit www.Twitter.com register for an account, then search @NJSubcontractor and click "follow" its that easy.  If you need assistance, just call NJSA at 732-223-5010