§ 15-12. Responsible employer.

(a)

Purpose.

(1)

The City Council for the City of Westfield finds and determines that there is a high rate of unemployment in the city, particularly among those employed in the construction industry, and that the effect of this high rate of unemployment has a negative effect upon the city as a whole.

(2)

The city expends municipal funds for public works and public construction projects within the city and a large portion of said funds are derived from taxes paid by city residents and a large portion of workers employed on such projects do not live within the city.

(3)

The city would like to establish a preference for hiring Westfield residents and/or Westfield companies who are qualified to perform the work to which the contract relates.

(b)

Responsibilities.

(1)

The city establish a preference for local hiring, whenever legally possible, for any public works or public construction project for which the cost is greater than $100,000.00.

(2)

The city requires that all bidders on public works or public construction projects comply with the provisions of M.G.L.A. c. 149 in terms of prevailing wages, insurance coverage and classification of workers as employees rather than independent contractors for the purposes of treatment for worker's compensation, unemployment taxes, social security taxes and income taxes.

(3)

The city of Westfield further requires that all bidders on public works or public construction projects comply with all of the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, as they apply.

(Ord. No. 1542, 3-3-11)