On February 12th, Vincent Salzo / Wallingford CT Patch readers of a Wallingford man accused of stealing about $55,000 worth of jewelry from a North Haven home while working as a contractor. A Clintonville Road resident reported to police on Sept. 23, 2017, that about $55,000 worth of jewelry was missing from her home. The resident told police that she had recently hired a contractor to perform home improvements.

North Haven Police Department were able to secure an arrest warrant for Troy Tondalo, 41, of Wallingford, according to police. Tondalo was arrested Feb. 12 on charges of first-degree larceny and offering home improvements without a license. He was held on a $50,000 bond.

Thanks to these reporters, this article should also be a warning alert to residents of  common interest communities.  If a unit owner contracts with any vendor request a copy of:

1. The card issued by the CT Department of Consumer Protection that should list current HIC registration number.
2. The contractors insurance certificate that they can obtain from their insurance agent/carrier.

You may also want to check the CT Secretary of State Commercial Recording Division [CONCORD].

If your Association contracts with a property manager; and bids are awarded these documents should be provided to the board with the contract [if project is long term]or with the invoice [if a one-time job]

In compliance with the Department of Consumer Protection, a contract must include the contractor’s name, address, and Connecticut Home Improvement registration number.

For more information go to the internet –  CT Department of Consumer Protection, click the forward arrow under “For Consumers”, scroll down to Contracts/Fact Sheet: About Consumer Contracts in Connecticut

Recently a unit owner questioned a property manager regarding payment to a vendor for work totaling $1500:

• The Board of Directors did not vote to approve the contract.
• The vendor is not registered as a Home Improvement Contractor [HIC] with DCP
• In checking CONCORD, the Inc/Registration date is listed as Jul 20, 2007. However, as of this writing no annual report has ever been filed.  CT mandates that Annual Reports must be filed with the Secretary of the State every year.