Summer 2006 Volume 13, Issue 3       Articles On This Page >>> Have something  you would like to see published in the Frattalone Scoop?   If so, please contact Shelly in the office.   From the Corner Office (1) Safety Column (2) Project Profile and hello from Mike Forsythe, new project manager (3)      Events Holiday Schedule (5) Company Meetings (8)  Frattalone Golf Tourney (6)  Holiday Party (9) Jerry Richert Memorial Race (10)      Notices Employee of the Month (4) New Arrivals --Formerly "Oh baby! (7)

1. From the Corner Office

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you an important Amendment that is going to be on the voting ballots this November, the Transportation Constitutional Amendment. Frattalone Companies, Inc. has joined a coalition of organizations to help make the general public aware of this upcoming vote. 

Whenever a vehicle (new or used) is purchased in Minnesota, you pay a motor vehicle sales tax in addition to the purchase price. In 1981, the Legislature passed a law dedicating all motor vehicle sales tax revenue to highways and transit. However, for 25 years some (or all) of this money has been diverted away from transportation to pay for other state programs. More than $6 billion in motor vehicle sales tax revenue has been used for non-transportation purposes during this time. 

The 2005 Legislature decided to give voters the final say on whether 100 percent of this existing tax should be dedicated to funding highways, bridges and transit system.

The proposed amendment will read as follows: 

Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to dedicate revenue from a tax on the sale of new and used motor vehicles over a five-year peri- od, so that after June 30, 2011, all of the revenue is dedicated at least 40 percent for public transit assistance and not more than 60 percent for highway purposes? 

In Minnesota, passing an amendment to the constitution requires a majority vote of all people voting. If a voter leaves this question blank on  the ballot, that is considered a “no” vote. This amendment is not just for the benefit of our construction industry, but for all the residents of Minnesota. A better transportation system will provide all of us in Minnesota a better quality of life. 

If you would like more information, you can find it on the web at www.voteyesmn.org. Please take time out of your busy schedule this fall to get out and vote on this
important amendment.

Best Regards,

Nick Frattalone, Executive Vice President 

2. Safety & Training Corner

So far it’s been a very busy construction season and it sounds like we will be busy into the fall. With the heavy workload and above average warm temperatures, we have to view the importance of job safety more than ever. The temptation to take short cuts is more common under these conditions. Thus, the result is an increase in accidents and injuries. 

We have significantly exceeded the number of injuries over last year. There have been 18 injuries reported since Spring. Prior to that, we experienced 6 injuries for a total of 24 for the year. The injuries incurred this quarter were: 

• a sprained thumb
• 2 strained back muscles
• a cut finger
• a cut and bruised ankle
• a needle stick in the thumb
• a bruised back
• a cut below the eye
• 2 bruised knees
• a cut leg
• a pulled tendon in the foot
• a sprained knee
• a back injury
• broken ribs with cuts to the head
• a cut to the head 
• 2 twisted knees. 

Implementing Frattalone Companies’ stretching program may have prevented some of the many muscle injuries that occurred this past quarter. If you need another copy of the daily stretches that we are practicing, please see me. 

Stretching Guidelines

Always begin in a relaxed, neutral body position with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Keep your back straight by contracting your abdomen. You should be relaxed with your chest slightly lifted.

Do the stretched at your own pace and ability. Remember to exercise within your own limits.

Stretch to the point of comfortable tension, then relax and hold the stretch. Avoid straining while you are stretching. This should not be a painful activity. If you feel your muscles begin to shake, slightly release your stretch.

If the stretch creates pain in the joint area, stop your stretching and make sure your technique is correct. You may need to try another position or another stretch to target those muscles.

Move into each stretch slowly! Hold each stretch for 10-15 seconds unless stated otherwise. It is important to remember not to bounce while holding your stretch.

Keep breathing normally while you hold your stretch. Breathing helps you to relax your muscles.

Everyone’s cooperation is necessary and mandatory to reduce future injuries. The Frattalone Safety Committee has a goal of reducing injuries by 25 percent each year, which will not be attained this year. 

Thank you and be safe.

Steven Kohler, Safety and Training Director

3.Project Profile

Hello everyone!

My name is Mike Forsythe and I am the new guy working in the demolition department. When I came onboard 7 months ago, the demolition department was already very busy. Jim Wutzke was in the process of negotiating some larger projects of which we have since been awarded contracts. Some of these larger projects include Husset Park in Columbia Heights, Surmodics in Bloomington and just recently, Twin Lakes in Roseville, which should start at the end of this summer or early this fall. We have recently completed some smaller projects, including the Prince of Peace Church and gymnasium in St. Paul and several commercial buildings for the Apache redevelopment in St. Anthony. At this time of year, we are still bidding plenty of demolition work; some of which is scheduled to start this fall and some possibly not until next spring or early summer. 

For those of you whom I have not had the opportunity to meet I thought it would be a good time to tell you a little bit about myself. I am 39 years old and live in Hugo, MN with my wife Joanne and our 3 children Lauren, Bryce and William. After growing up in International Falls, MN and graduating from high school in 1985, I went on to attend college at Bemidji State University, graduating in 1990 with a BS degree in Industrial Technology with emphasis in Construction Management. When I finished college, I worked for several different construction companies, primarily working in the field installing mechanical installation, building pre-cast concrete buildings and a couple of years operating and supervising a rail grinding machine for a railway maintenance company. All of these jobs offered valuable experience and had excellent opportunities, but all required 100 percent travel throughout the United States. In 1996 I decided to move back to Minnesota and find a job that would allow me to remain in the Twin Cities area. 

I began working for A. Kamish & Sons, Inc. in 1997 as a Project Manager, and soon realized that the earthwork/demolition industry was a career that I wanted to pursue. I went on to become a demolition project manager with Carl Bolander & Sons Co. after they bought out Kamish & Sons in 2000. 

At the end of January 2006 I left Bolander for an opportunity to work for Frattalone Companies and I am confident that the move was a good one. In our industry I think it is important that a company works to serve its customers better than any of our competitors. Being the contractor of choice with a customer goes a long way when the next job comes down to the negotiating phase. In the short time that I have been here, I can see Frattalone Companies makes every effort to establish this type of relationship with its customers and it shows by the work we have received. I look forward to meeting more of you in the future and I want to thank everyone I have met so far for making me feel welcome here. Not only is Frattalone a contractor of choice with its customers; it is evident that it is an employer of choice with the people that work here. I am very happy and excited to be a part of the Frattalone Team!  

Mike Forsythe, Project Manager

4.  Employee of the Month

Each month the superintendents nominate an employee who they feel deserves the title of "Employee of the Month" for the previous month. The person who is chosen receives a gift certificate for $100.00 and picture on a plaque in the office. Congratulations to the Employees of the Month.

5. Holiday Schedule

Listed below are the days that Frattalone Companies will be closed this year:

• 09/04 -- Labor Day
• 11/23 -- Thanksgiving Day
• 12/25 -- Christmas Day
• 01/01 -- New Years Day

6. Frattalone Golf Tourney

We will be playing 9 holes with a 2-person scramble format.

Download the Registration Form (884K PDF) or call Shelly in the office if you are interested.

Don’t like to golf? Feel free to join us in the club house after the tournament for the Vikings vs. Bears game (noon start). 

7. New Arrivals

Griffin Michael Schwab,son of Dan & Jessie Schwab, was born on June 10, 2006. He weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. and was 19” long.

Charles G Gabriel Sprado,son of Andy & Heidi Sprado, was born on June 5, 2006. He weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. and was 20” long.

Congratulations!!

8. Company Meeting

Following are the dates for the all company safety and informational meetings for 2006. These meetings are a very important part of keeping you informed of company policies and procedures. 

• Thursday, 10/12/06 at 4:00pm

Remember...this meeting is mandatory.

9. Holiday Party 

Mark your calendars… the Frattalone Companies’ Holiday Party will be:

Saturday, January 6th, 2007
 Jimmy’s Conference Center
Vadnais Heights

Back by popular demand, we will be having a CASINO NIGHT! For our out of town guests, we have reserved a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express, which is connected to Jimmy’s.

10. Jerry Richert Memorial Race 

The 5th Annual Jerry Richert Memorial Race will be held at Cedar Lake Speedway on September 9, 2006. Frattalone Companies has reserved the VIP tower where there will be food and beverages served before the race. The cost is $10 per employee and $25.00 per guest. These prices include admission to the VIP tower, food, beverages and a memorial t-shirt. Please contact Shelly Boss in the office to order tickets.