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American Sewer Services
American Sewer Services
MILWAUKEE -- A weapon was found on a work site where American Sewer Services, contracted by the City of Milwaukee, was doing work near 35th and Center, according to a spokeswoman with the City of Milwaukee's Department of Public Works.
It happened when a DPW inspector was doing a routine check of the work being done at the site -- where lead service line replacement work was being done, and the firearm was spotted.
According to the DPW spokeswoman, city workers have been prohibited from carrying weapons while on the job -- but changes to city policies concerning contractors/sub-contractors and weapons are still being developed. American Sewer Services had updated their policies on this subject, and the owner took action to terminate the offending employee based on their company policy.
Dennis Biondich, the owner of American Sewer Services set a letter to all 15 Milwaukee Common Council members about this incident on Monday, Jan. 29:
This was not the first controversy involving American Sewer Services, as you'll recall.
Alderman Bob Donovan
"I was surprised there was yet another incident, sure," Alderman Bob Donovan said.
"You've got to ask yourself -- you lost all that business earlier. You would have thought all of his employees would have been told, you know, 'don't put me in jeopardy again.' And it happened again literally a month later," Alderman Michael Murphy said.
Aldermen FOX6 News spoke with on this issue praised the company's self-policing, but many said they're upset the head of the company was a "no show" when the company was summoned to a meeting at City Hall.
Alderman Michael Murphy
FOX6's calls to the company weren't returned Tuesday.
Prior incidents
The City of Milwaukee on Jan. 17 terminated one of its contracts with with the company after a lunch box adorned with Confederate flag and Ku Klux Klan stickers was spotted at one of their job sites near 25th and Wells.
The Common Council's Public Works Committee left the door open that there could be further action against American Sewer Services since they’re still investigating.
American Sewer Services also submitted the lowest bid for a project, and officials said that bid would be terminated, so the project would go to the next lowest bidder. American Sewer Services agreed to not contest these actions in any way.
Controversial stickers found on cooler of City of Milwaukee construction worker
Earlier, three gun-wielding American Sewer Services workers sparked a firestorm of debate after a picture surfaced showing them holding weapons near 19th and Meinecke -- and went viral.
Contractors with guns -- 19th and Meinecke
The company responded by firing or laying off the workers involved in each of these incidents.