On This Page >>>      Articles   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 (7)        Notices Fishing Contest Winners (10) Retiring Employee (5) Holiday Schedule (6) Company Meetings  (8) Support the Troops  (12)      Events Employee of the Month (11) Celebrating 20+ Years! (4) Helping Hands  (3)

The Frattalone Scoop

1. From the Northwest Corner

As last night marked the end of the Republican National Convention, we can now go about our normal everyday life here in St. Paul, right? Well, if you think that is the last you will see or hear of John McCain and Sarah Palin, think again. For the next two months you will be exposed to more advertising of these two, as well as the two Democratic candidates, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

To be honest, I’ve never found myself to be more interested in any election as I am for this one. Maybe it is because of the convention being here in Minnesota or maybe just because of the unstable world we are currently living in. Regardless of the reason, I plan on spending time reading up on our candidates and listening to their debates so that I am able to make the best decision possible for our county. Remember, this decision will be affecting us, good or bad, for the next four years and, possibly, beyond.

As I try to recap both parties’ messages, the two things that stand out to me the most are “change” and, “what’s currently happening in our country would not be happening if I was in charge”. Now, I agree with “change” as I believe the country cannot be run successfully in this day and age the way we have allowed it to be run in the past. But, I am not totally sold on the fact that both parties are claiming to be the “solution” to all our problems.
If you look at two of the biggest issues that are negatively affecting our economy at this time, oil prices and failures of financial institutes (banks), you have to ask the question; “who can have more of an impact on these issues, individuals or government?” True, our government can have an impact, but the majority of impact is because of the way we (individuals) have chosen to abuse these things. By consuming the amount of oil we have in the past, the demand has risen consistently each year until the last few months. Once we took a more conscious look at saving money by changing the way we consume these products in our everyday life, the demand has been going down and the prices have recently followed.

As far as the failure of the financial institutes, several arguments could be made. My belief is that if we stop purchasing objects (homes, cars, etc) on borrowed money that we cannot afford, the banks would not have to write off all this bad debt and would be strong. Strong financial institutes equate to a strong economy. A strong economy benefits us all individually.

My opinion, right or wrong, is that in order for us, as Americans, to see this “change” be successful, we need to do our parts as individuals to see it through. The government can have an impact, but cannot work alone without everyone doing their part. I always go back to this saying; “Same actions equal same results”. So, if you want the results to change, you need to change your actions.

Best Regards,
Nick Frattalone
Chief Financial Officer

2. Safety & Training Corner

This summer flew by quickly and whether we like it or not, fall is upon us. On a positive note, we all have been doing one heck of a great job this season! Our safety record especially shows it. To date (August 26), we have 3 OSHA recordable injuries and not a single Lost Time Injury for the 2008 policy year. Great job! This puts us well below the industry average, where we need and want to be. Let’s keep striving for ZERO and keep the days going.

Many things are contributing to our success this year. Some include: good communication, fewer new hires, less changing from job to job multiple times a day, and more people are talking about safety and looking out for each other. Sooner or later, new hires will be returning to our jobs and we may be moving from job to job more frequently. When it happens, remember what is working for us now: communication and orientation. Familiarize yourself with every jobsite you encounter. Look for job site hazards and share them with your fellow workers. Assuming they know what the hazards are could be detrimental.

If you missed the summer company meeting, one topic addressed was our recently implemented Safety Suggestion Program. This program was developed by the Safety Committee and will be managed by the safety committee. The intent of the program is to encourage employees to identify hazards and suggest a solution. Hopefully, the end result will be increased hazard awareness and hazard remediation. Here are the details:

Who does it apply to?
All Frattalone employees

What are the program’s criteria?
All suggestions must be unique (never suggested or documented before)
All suggestions must identify an area of concern and provide a possible solution. Problems without solutions will not be considered.
Frattalone reserves the right to change components of this program if needed.

How do you submit your suggestion?
Write on the top of a daily ticket “SAFETY SUGGESTION”. Then write what the area of concern, problem, or hazard is and include a reasonable solution. Be sure to include your name to get credit. Upon completion of the daily ticket, submit the “SAFETY SUGGESTION” in with your daily tickets or to your superintendent if tickets do not need to be turned in.

What is the incentive?
Qualifying submittals will be published in the weekly toolbox talk published by the safety department.
Monthly winners will be selected by the Frattalone Safety Committee during our monthly meeting.
The monthly winner will have their suggestion published in the SCOOP and will receive a $25 gift certificate to the Frattalone Store.

Keep up the safe work!

Josh Bernhard
Safety Director

 

Josh Bernhard, Safety Director

3. Helping Hands

4. 20+ YEARS with Frattalone!

This summer, Steve Havel, Utility Division Project Manager, celebrated his 25th year at Frattalone Companies and Sue Busse, Corporate Secretary, celebrated her 20th year. Congratulations and thank you for your years of service and dedication to TEAM Frattalone.

5. Retirement...

Keith Moeller (Hawkeye), a driver at Frattalone Companies, retired this summer after 30 years of service. He will be missed by all. Good Luck, Hawkeye!

6. Holiday Schedule

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

• Thursday, 11/27/08  -- Thanksgiving Day
• Wednesday, 12/24/08 -- Christmas Eve
• Thursday, 12/25/08 -- Christmas Day
• Wednesday, 12/31/08 -- New Years Eve
• Thursday, 1/1/09 -- New Years Day

7. Project Profile

Frattalone Companies is lucky to have the Sandquist Family Park site. Sandquist Park is located a couple of miles north of Cambridge on former farmland owned by the Sandquists. We are lucky to be working on the project because it was bid out twice. The first time Frattalone was read low on the base bid. Then came the news that the project was over budget and would have to be rebid. One month later we rebid the project and were second, but were awarded the job only because they had taken alternate #9.

We are building the park to replace the park where the new Lowe’s is going and are doing the earthwork on that project. So in turn we are demolishing one park and building another. The city bought the Lowe’s site (Johnson Memorial Park) in the late 1980’s. They sold the property to Lowe’s but had to build another park to replace it. The city bought the land for the new park from Dallas Sandquist (just short of 90 years old) and his four kids. Rick Parent and Dave Meath have enjoyed conversations with him. Dallas has also been very helpful to our company by Frattalone Companies is lucky to have the Sandquist Family Park site. Sandquist Park is located a couple of miles north of Cambridge on former farmland owned by the Sandquists. We are lucky to be working on the project because it was bid out twice. The first time Frattalone was read low on the base bid. Then came the news that the project was over budget and would have to be rebid. One month later we rebid the project and were second, but were awarded the job only because they had taken alternate #9.

We are building the park to replace the park where the new Lowe’s is going and are doing the earthwork on that project. So in turn we are demolishing one park and building another. The city bought the Lowe’s site (Johnson Memorial Park) in the late 1980’s. They sold the property to Lowe’s but had to build another park to replace it. The city bought the land for the new park from Dallas Sandquist (just short of 90 years old) and his four kids. Rick Parent and Dave Meath have enjoyed conversations with him. Dallas has also been very helpful to our company by letting us use his storage sheds, among other things. He told Dave and Rick that he is looking forward to seeing us complete the park.

The Sandquist Family Park has 150 acres to grow into. We are only working on a little over 30 acres of it. We are are installing a large well for irrigation, two soccer / football fields, 3 softball fields, a baseball field, irrigation, lights for most of the fields, and a few gravel parking lots.

Because of delay in the bidding process at the front end of the project, the first deadline was a challenge. Sod had to be placed by August 22nd. Preparation wasn’t a problem, but we couldn’t lay the sod until the irrigation well was drilled and operational. Other critical items were to get seed planted in the softball fields so the State Softball Association could use the field next spring. The grass is growing fine on both the football/soccer fields and the softball fields should be ready for play next spring. We will be finishing this job by the end of October. Jim Wutzke, Demolition Division Manager

8. Company Meetings

All meetings will start at 4:00 p.m.

 

9. Get your Frattalone Gear..

Now you can order Frattalone apparel on-line.
Simply click on “Frattalone Store” under the “About Us” heading to the left. There are men’s, women’s and children’s clothing items, along with other items available for purchase. The on-line store is for specialty items only. The Frattalone store, located in the office, will still be stocked with sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, jackets and other miscellaneous items. Please contact Shelly Boss in the office if you have any questions, if you need help with an order, or if you have any suggestions as to what items you would like to see in the on-line store.

 

10.Gone Fishin!

Scott Pierre, dispatcher at Frattalone Companies with his son Nick and their prize 3 lb. 10 oz. Bass they caught in May.

 

11. Employee of the Month

Each month the superintendents nominate an employee whom they feel deserves the title of “Employee of the Month”. The person chosen receives a gift certificate for $100.00. Congratulations to the following:

• May 2008 - Tom McBride
• June 2008 - Jessie Frattalone
• July 2008 - Keith Anderson

All employees who have been awarded Employee of the Month are pictured on a plaque in the office and on our web site at: STAR EMPLOYEES

11. Carbon Monoxide Reminder

We would like to remind you all of the new Carbon Monoxide Detector Law in Minnesota that went into effect last year. Under this law, new homes and apartments in Minnesota will need to have detectors within 10 feet of each bedroom. The deadline to comply for existing home owners was August of 2008.

CO detectors can be purchased for less than $20.00 at your local hardware retailers. They plug right into an outlet. It is important to be sure to have the detectors installed on the floor where your sleeping rooms are, and it is recommended you install them at pillow level if possible.

1. Make sure you have a detector in your home.
2. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for placement in your home—make sure you can hear it while you are sleeping.
3. If your detector goes off, leave the house immediately and call for help from a neighbor’s house.
4. Test your carbon monoxide detector monthly.
 

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