Waterbury Democrat., 1902-02-27
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Awarded ContMct for Third Story of
 Walsh School.


 Walsh School
 It would hardly surprise the mem- bers of the board of education to find themselves in a tangle with the contractors who have the Walsh school ill hands, and at the meeting of the board which was held last evening to award the contract for completing the, third story of the school committee was appointed to act with Architect Jackson to con- fer with the contractors and ascertain from them how they stand and what time they will have their contract finished. The contract for the com pletion of the third story was award ed to another contractor and as the board is anxious to have the building ready for occupancy by the opening or the fall term of school they are desirous to have the work done as soon as possible and to let the new contractor begin his work; but that IS the point where the shoe pinches the board; they fear there would be complications arise which would set the completion of the building back further. than is aoH 'ookea for. The meeting held last evening was a special one called for the burmese of awarding the contracts for com plet1ng the building in question. The building is now in the hands of Gaff- ney x Cronin and Upham The con- tract time for finishing their work was April l, but owing to their meet ing With great deal of rock the tlme was extended to about the sec ond week i'll June. When the original contract was awarded it was not thought the third story would be needed with the rest of the buildinr put q different condition of things races the board now and the third story IS absolutely necessary with Che remainder of the building. So that q different contract was neces- sary to finish the third story. Fronn the outset of this state of things. Commissioner Griggs. who is m architect, and therefore has had nis troubles with builders, expressed fear or complications if the contract for the third story was given to any but the present contractors Rilt fo ad Vertlse for bids for the contract was unavoidable and necessary to comply Wlth the law and last night the bids were opened. The figures wera as follows: John w Gaffney & Co S3,700; Willis NJ. Ashborne S3 400. ]. J. McAuliffe, $3,6S2. 50; Seeley X. Upham, $3,5S5.
 commissioners Goodenough moved that the contract be given to Mir Ash borne, he being the lowest bidder, ooInmlssloner Chase inquired if Arr AsnDorne was a responsible contrac- LOT ana Commissioner ,0odrnoil.a Vouched for him, but Architect Jack. son and Commissioner Griggs said that While they heard of him in building matters they had no business knoWledge of him. However, as commissioners Goodenough youchad TOT nm the contract was awarded hv vote to MT Ashborne. Each bid was accompanied by a certified check for a certain percentage of the contract prlce. Then arose the discussion re- garding the complications feared from the outgoing and incoming con- tractors. Mayor Kilduff thought the | building ought to be finished and turned over 10 tie board by July MT Jackson feared that would not De. Neither Commissioner Griggs nor MT Jackson ever experienced l such condition of things as tbat now facing the board through their business relations with the contrac- tors of the school MT Jackson said that he read in q trade journal that such q condition was always to be avoided, for it was always likely to end in trouble for those interested It was suggested that the. new con tractor begin work immediately and leave it indefinite for him to finish 1t was remembered that all the con tractors are under bond to finish their contracts 5y certain time. But this was not given much considera- tion for it does not pay public bod ies to go to law It was finally de- cided that the committee on school buildings and hygiene act with MT Jackson in conferring with all the contractors and smooth . way out of the threatening difficulty The board then adjourned to next Monday even- ! ing.