Massachusetts Carpenters’ Union Goes After Water Park Developer

Unionized carpenters in Massachusetts want the state to rescind a 20-year tax increment financing deal to the developer of a water park and resort in Fitchburg, Mass.

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters says Wisconsin-based Great Wolf Lodge failed to live up to its agreement to ensure contractors pay Massachusetts workers’ compensation insurance.

The Telegram & Gazette reports that the union cited eight stop-worker orders at the site by the Department of Industrial Accidents for failure to carry the insurance before approval of $16.4 million in local tax relief and $680,000 in investment tax credits.

A spokeswoman for the Office of Housing and Economic Development, which oversees the incentive program, is looking into the matter.

A Great Wolf spokeswoman says the problems have been resolved. The park will open next week.