Tim Herbst Allegedly Criticized Construction Firm Over School Snow Removal

This is part two of AFB's lawsuit against First Selectman Tim Herbst.

AFB Management, which oversees construction at Trumbull High School, says First Selectman Tim Herbst is out to "get" the firm, recently by criticizing its handling of snow removal after several snowstorms over two years.

Herbst has questioned "the cost of these operations and suggesting that certain contractors that were brought in to assist with the snow removal may have overcharged the Town with knowledge and consent of AFB and Barbarotta," AFB argued.

"Herbst has also implied that AFB and [one of its principals] Al Barbarotta somehow improperly benefited from the hiring of certain contractors in connection with the snow removal. These suggestions and implications are patently false,"  according to AFB.

Herbst has deferred comment to Attorney Dennis J. Kokenos of Owens, Schine and Nicola in Trumbull. The topic came up earlier this year, when it was learned snow removal cost the town nearly $1 million over two years.

Said Kokenos, "It is unfortunate that AFB Construction Management of Trumbull and its President have chosen to file a frivolous lawsuit against a Town official who was attempting to prevent violations of the Town's Code of Ethics."

He said the claims are "baseless."

AFB said its snow removal "was widely praised by the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Trumbull and the Trumbull Schools were able to open faster than many schools in neighboring communities after these horrific snow storms.

"Herbst has also been critical of AFB's work on behalf of the Town in connection with the renovations of Trumbull High School, and has sought, unsuccessfully, to bring about a termination of AFB's contract with the Town," AFB added.

But, aware of the criticism, the THS Building Committee "unanimously" endorsed and continued AFB's position as owner's representative, according to the company.

Finally, AFB concluded accused Herbst of abusing his power as first selectman.

"Herbst has a history of using his position of power to satisfy his personal animus toward people. He openly boasts about having obtained the 'pelts' of persons whom he perceives as having wronged him in some way and 'getting them out of Town.'

"On occasion, Herbst has expressed the view that AFB enjoys too favorable a relationship with the Town and the Board; consistent with Herbst's practice of developing and maintaining such personal animosities, Herbst has expressed an intention to 'get' Barbarotta in some fashion."

The firm seeks unspecified damages.