Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-11-02
BOSS TWEED METHODS
Detailed Report Of the Special
Town Committee.

Town Meeting which Lasted Ilil AteF
Midnight.
All town meetings in the history of Wa
terbury, or in fact in the history of any
other city in the state, were eclipse2 last
night at City hall. It was the general i'm
preston that the meeting was packed to
secure the recognition of the payment of
the extra money for building the aims
house. Everything Was turned topsy-
turvy, however, and all plans or schemes
laid low, when it CANA, to dividing the
house. The minority might have stronger
lungs but the majority had greater num-
bers.
Attorney John O'Neill was there and
made himself felt. Judge Root was there
and his address was one of the best
oratorical efforts of the evening. General
kellogg and Earl Smith were present, but
their we'll put speeches could not with
stand the presentation of facts and figures.
The report of the committee appointed to
investigate the expenses at the almshouse,
and the towns liability to pay the same
was first read. 1t was as follows:
To the legal voters of the town of Water
bury in town meeting assembled on
Wednesday evening, November /, 1898.
Your committee to whom was referred
the duty of investigating the cost of plumb
ing, steam heating and of the well at the
new almshouse and to report all bills
against the town relating to the construc-
ton of the new almshouse and the legal
liability of the town TO pay the same, beg
leave to report that these subjects have
been investigated by us so far as our
limited means allowed and we respectfully
beg leave to report statement of the
facts:
l. We find that at a town meeting
h,ll
appointed with the selectmen to examine
and report on the ACCESSIBILITY of pur-
chasing a town farm and erecting thereon
Il new almshouse; that this committee re-
ported that il was advisable to retain the
present town farm and erect thereon a new
almshouse. Three architects We're con-
suited, Mr. Smith, Mr. Griggs and Mr. Jack
son. Each furnished n plan but there
were no detailed drawings or specifica-
tons furnished by either at this time.
One stated that in his opinion the aims
house could be built according to his plan
for something like $40 900. One other
thought it could be built according to his
plan for about the same or something less.
Mr. Smith thought the building could be
constructed according to his plan for some
thing like $4,000. As there were no de
tailed drawings and no specifications al
this time so there were no estimates made
by contractors, either masons or car.
penters, except in the rough. Approx.
mate figures only were given.
2. A town meeting was now called and
an appropriation of $50, 900 was asked fol
and granted by the town meeting The
vote provided that a sum not exceeding
$50, 900 might be used to complete tn,
building.
3. The selectmen now required Nj
Smith to complete his plans with detailed
drawings and specifications, and wheI
they were finished, bids were asked anC
furnished, and the lowest bids showed
that it would require substantially $44, 00t
to complete the mason and carpenter worl
ON the plans adopted.
A new town meeting was now called fol
| the purpose of either modifying the plan,
| adopted or getting an increased appropria
ton. At this meeting it was stated what
the cost of the masonry and carpentel
work would be; it was further stated tina
the new building would require heating
plumbing and water supply; and it was es
timated that SIC, 900 would be required t.
| complete this work. There were no plani
or detailed drawings, or specifications, O.
bids, or estimates by competent partie
submitted either to the selectmen or Il
the meeting as to the cost of these items
but it was roughly estimated that SIG, 00t
would be sufficient for these purposes, anC
this sum was asked for, making total o
$50, 900 to complete the building for tn
masonry work. carpenter work, heating
plumbing grading and water supply. l
| was not contemplated at this time that
new boiler house would be required, but i
was thought that the heating apparatu
might be erected in the cellar of the nev
building, nor was it then contemplate,
that a new well would be constructed, no
that a conduit from the boiler room to con
meet with the almshouse would be neces
sity, and it is doubtful if it was contem
plated that a great water service was neces
sary to extinguish fires in this new build
ing. No doubt all that was done wa
necessary in some form. Water, heat
plumbing, sewerage are required, but tn
town in town meeting plainly stated to on
selectlnen that they required all of these q
a cost not to exceed 100000.
5. The heating was let out by contral
for something over 81 900. No compel
tive bids were asked for. No competitio
whatever was sought in relation to thi
work. The exact contract price for tn
steam heating was 81 ,6S3.
6. For some reason it was deemed at
visable not to place the boilers in the ce
lar of the new building And so a boilt
house was erected about 125 feet distaI
town of nearly So, 900. No bids wei
asked for or competition sought in the col
struction of this building, but contract
were awarded to the same masons and ii
same carpenters who constructed the mai
building. The construction of this boilt
house Mt such n distance from the mai
building made it necessary that n condu
should be constructed between the mai
building and boiler house, through whic
steam pipes, hot water pipes and 9th,
paraphernalia, tor conveying steam an
water between the two buildings, might l
laid. This conduit was originally col
structed by the mason there at cost
$3.50. 80, all done by days work. No con
petition was asked on this job. In cons
quence of the defective plan, which W,
adopted for building this conduit, or b
cause of the carelessness of the persons
/ charge, on the coming of heavy rainfa
the conduit was substantially destroyed.
new conduit was thus made necessary an
a new one was constructed at a cost
about 81, 400. This also was done by day
work without competition or bid. -
/ Z. A new well for supplying water
l the boiler room and the almshouse was d
cided upon. 4 contract was made with n
Barker, providing that if he furnished
supply of water by means of a well
: should have 81, 900, 81 900 when water
apparently sufficient quantity was secure,
> the other l,CO) if the supply continue
satisfactory for one year; if there was a di
i pute as to the suficiency this was to be d
: termined by a committee of our citizen
This contract seems to us to have been III
; wise, the certainty of reaching a supply ,
water at n small outlay seems to us al
parent. A well was excavated near Ii
bed Of the brook. where it was almost ce
r lin that water would be reached at lit
? cost; and it was in fact reached at sma
outlay.
s.. The total cost of plumbing, the co
of constructing the water tank, the cost
{ the sewer and of the conduit is sig, 400. s.
r All of this work was done and the mi
| tarials flirniskAl ycithnIIt -ancr.trnrt