Paver defends work, tries to 'make it right'

SALISBURY — A local paving contractor is defending his company and its business practices, even as two more complaints from elderly residents about his work have cropped up.

Kevin Snow Sr., owner of Salisbury-based County Line Paving, said he stands by the work he's done paving the driveways of homeowners along the North Shore, adding he always addresses complaints by his customers when they call him so he can "make it right."

Police in Danvers and Beverly had complaints from two elderly residents who had their driveways paved recently by Country Line Paving. Complaints concerned charges that rose to significantly more than Snow originally quoted. Police in Danvers have told Snow's company not to return to town.

Two more complaints — one on Plum Island and one in Salisbury — arose when stories were published earlier this week about the Beverly and Danvers complaints.

Snow said he settled with customers when they balked at the new charge, lowering his fee to ones customers accepted.

"I stand by the work I do, and if there are ever any problems, people just have to call me. We have always worked it out. I take care of it 100 percent to make it right," Snow said.

Snow insists he works hard to earn a living and doesn't run scams but that he has had to actively solicit business during this bad economy.

Newburyport Conservation Administrator Mary Reilly was called to a Plum Island home last week by a resident reporting his neighbor had his driveway repaved, something not allowed on the barrier beach anymore.

The couple who owned the home were elderly, and the gentleman had been out in his driveway when Snow approached him, offering to pave the driveway, Reilly said.

In spite of the paving ban, the couple agreed, and Snow paved a portion of the driveway, said Reilly, who saw a copy of the receipt that said County Line Paving with Snow's name on it. She explained to the couple paving isn't allowed on Plum Island driveways and advised them to stop payment on the check, which she believes was successful.

Reilly won't cite the couple for having the paving done, nor make the elderly couple pay to tear up the new paving. But, Reilly is considering issuing Snow a citation.

In addition, Anne Marie Bamford of Salisbury complained of a July 21 incident that she said was improper business practices between Country Line Paving and her 71-year-old father. Bamford's father had been expecting his son's friend to pave his driveway, when Snow arrived at the house with paving asphalt in the truck. He told her dad they had material left over from a previous job. Bamford claims Snow led her father to believe he was his son's friend, something Snow flatly denies.

"I object to that all the way." Snow said. "The name of my company is in 9-inch letters on the side of my truck. How can you miss that?"

For the job at Bamford's father's driveway, Snow didn't give a quote, saying he couldn't tell until he finished, Bamford said. The cost turned out to be $1,327, which Bamford's father paid.

When the company that was originally to do the job came by the house, criticizing the work, Bamford's father called Salisbury police to file a complaint. Trying to stop payment on the check, Bamford's father learned the check had been cashed.

Bamford said this is an example of a company taking advantage of the elderly.

Snow said the facts related by Bamford are misleading. When he learned of the dissatisfaction, he returned to Bamford's father's home and offered to reduce his price and give some money back.

"But he didn't want any money back," Snow said. "But the problem was addressed. We gave them a free sealer. "People should call me if they feel there's a problem with our work. I haven't denied people any repairs they want. I'm trying to settle with these people so they'll be happy."

Salisbury police Chief David L'Esperance warned that homeowners shouldn't act in haste on any type of construction work.

"No one needs to have their driveways paved immediately," he said. "People should take their time, ask around and get written estimates. Then decide. "

However the scenario of paving contractors pulling up to homes out of the blue, with "extra material from a previous job," and offering a good deal to homeowners if only they can do the job immediately, is not unknown as scam-like behavior, according to those who are familiar with the paving industry.

In California, according to the California Contractors State License Board, Snow's two sons, Kevin Jr., 23, and George, 19, got themselves into serious legal trouble when they hooked up with their cousin, George Stanley, last year to pave driveways in northern counties.

According to officials at the CSLB, Stanley, 30, of Moosup, Conn., along with the two Snow brothers, all pleaded no contest in Butte County following a yearlong investigation by the fraud team for improper practices.

Arrested in June 2009, a plea agreement on numerous felony charges was settled in early July 2010. As part of the agreement, by October they must pay $130,000, as well as storage fees for Stanley's equipment, which was impounded.

This isn't the first time Stanley's been in trouble, said Venus Stromberg, spokeswoman for the CSLB. He ran into similar legal problems in 2008 in three other California counties, Tulare, San Joaquin and Tuba. Stanley again pled out to charges, agreeing to pay $160,000 in restitution, which he has paid, Stromberg said.

Snow's sons were in Butte County court on Tuesday to comply with a hearing date, Stromberg said, and a restitution hearing will be scheduled between now and the sentencing date in mid-October.

Snow Sr., defends his sons, but not George Stanley.

"My sons went out to make a dollar and make men of themselves instead of sitting around and playing video games," he said. "My kids are very hard working, but they got mixed up with the wrong guy. I'm very mad at that guy. He's ruined my kids' lives."

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