The board’s deliberation on the case of Aaron Burgess, doing business as PAR Church Builders, Inc., was one of the meeting’s most discussions. Burgess faced serious allegations from Pastor Will Stone of the First Baptist Church of Cantonment, who accused him of financial mismanagement and fraud. The church contracted Burgess in October 2024 for $248,000, but by the time of the complaint, total payments had reached $294,979.74. Despite these payments, Burgess reportedly failed to complete the work and neglected to pay subcontractors. The board was presented with evidence of false invoices and altered lien releases.

Pastor Stone also reported that Burgess was paid approximately $324,681 for work related to stormwater regulations, yet failed to comply with these standards. Consequently, the church was forced to hire another contractor after terminating the contract with PAR Church Builders on August 18, 2025. Despite attempts to communicate with Burgess, he did not respond to the complaint. The board discussed the necessity of finding probable cause for disciplinary action and emphasized the importance of notifying the state about the complaint. The motion to proceed with disciplinary hearings was approved.

Another case involved Robert Skichak, who faced disciplinary action for installing a water heater without an active contractor’s license. The board fined Skichak $2,000 after a hearing on September 4, 2024, as he was found in violation of regulations. Skichak admitted to not updating his mailing address with the board, which resulted in him missing notifications about the disciplinary proceedings. He explained that the situation arose during a business name change when he was unaware of his license’s inactive status due to insurance issues. After completing the installation, a homeowner’s concerns led him to seek a permit, only to discover his license problems. Another plumber eventually obtained the necessary permit.

Skichak argued that the oversight occurred due to negligence rather than intentional misconduct, emphasizing his unblemished record since being licensed in 2018. The board discussed allowing Skichak to pay the fines and reapply for his license, highlighting the need for contractors to keep licensing information current. Although some members expressed sympathy for Skichak’s situation, they reiterated the importance of understanding the consequences of working without a valid license.

The meeting also featured various contractor applications for licensure. Brian Lynch, seeking approval for the master plumber with gas examination, disclosed his past criminal history, which dated back over 30 years. The board approved his application, acknowledging his extensive experience and personal circumstances, including caring for an ailing family member. Jason Jordan applied for reciprocity of an air conditioning class B license, providing updated and notarized experience verification forms. His application was quickly approved.

Chad Kogat sought a license for doors, windows, and siding. Despite a past financial responsibility issue related to a traffic violation, the board unanimously approved his application. Adam Craig applied to reciprocate his roofing license, backed by his 17 years of experience and military service in the Navy. The board swiftly approved his application, expressing appreciation for his service.

Frederick Gold, with 44 years of experience across various trades, requested reciprocity for his residential contractor’s license. Despite an initial lack of documentation, the board allowed him to present the necessary paperwork, leading to his application’s approval.

The board also discussed probable cause hearings, focusing on Brett Smith’s case for working without a permit. Smith had performed a water heater installation without the required permit, believing he was compliant with manufacturer specifications. The board highlighted the recurring issue of permit compliance and the importance of adhering to regulations for public safety and professional accountability. After deliberation, the board voted to proceed with disciplinary action against Smith, despite his subsequent effort to obtain the permit.