Shocking find leads to charges against Seagrave contractors

SCUGOG -- A pair of Seagrave contractors are facing charges relating to alleged shoddy electrical work and Durham police are warning homeowners to heed the need for proper inspections when hydro work is carried out.

According to authorities, two Seagrave men are facing a handful of Criminal Code and Electrical Act charges after a Whitby resident became concerned with the work being carried out by contractors.

In late September, the homeowner contacted authorities after the contractors stopped work over a dispute regarding payment, say police. The homeowner was not satisfied with the work being done and refused to pay any more, police explain.

From there, fire and electrical safety officials, working with police investigators, inspected the basement renovation project and discovered numerous electrical, building and fire hazards, say authorities.

These violations, deemed dangerous by inspectors, included exposed live wires, overloaded receptacle boxes and wires not capped inside fuse boxes, say police.

Following this inspection, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) ordered these life and/or property hazard defects to be corrected.

As a result of this matter, the Durham police force is reminding the public that all electrical installations and repairs must have an application for inspection filed with the Electrical Safety Authority. Police further point out that homeowners hiring a contractor to do electrical work on their behalf should ensure they're licensed with the Electrical Safety Authority.

As of Jan. 1, 2007, a provincial law now requires all businesses offering electrical installation services in Ontario to be licensed by the ESA. Any electrical work done in Ontario, either by a homeowner or a licensed electrical contractor, requires the filing of an 'Application for Inspection' with the Electrical Safety Authority.

Charged are William Dacey, 42, and Robert Anderson, 62, both of River Street in Seagrave. They both face charges of mischief endangering life and fraud over $5,000 under the Criminal Code. They also face charges of conceal or render inaccessible and not having an electrical contractor's license under the Electricity Act.

Mr. Dacey is also charged with failing to apply for an electrical inspection under the Electrical Act.

For more information relating to electrical work, or to file an application for inspection, visit www.esasafe.com or call 1-877-372-7233.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective Galipeau at 905-579-1520, extension 1834.