Evening journal., 1909-02-27
BILL ABOLISHES
ALL COMMISSIONS
City Solicitor Prepares ACt
Creating Board Of Pub
lie Works
IDEA Is TO SAVE
CITY MUCH EXPENSE

IAN act TO consolidate certain depart /
ments Of the city Of Wilmington" is the |
title OF the bill being considered by city /
Council at the instance of City Solicitor
Townsend. The proposed bin is the result /
OF Mr.. Townsends three years and
half experience as city solicitor, and In
his opinion embodies all that is good in
the present city government and dispen-
ses with all that Is inadequate. The pro-
posed law would abolish all the present
commissions, establishing in lieu of them
a Board Of Public Works" to consist of
seven members. including the Mayor as an
ex-ofhco member. II is proposed that the
membership of the board should not con-
sist OF more than three members Of any
one political party. The salary proposed
is $1,000 a year. digest of the proposed
bin is as follows:
Whereas. II is essential for the benefit
Of the inhabitants and tax payers Of the
/ city of Wilmington. that the executive
departments OF said city should he consol-
idated for the purpose Of reducing the eX-
( ponse Incident to separately operating and
maintaining all OF said departments, avoid
[ ing the discord heretofore existing among
said departments. and securing a more
/ equitable distribution Of the public funds
] lot the ctNtidA liullNlldA AtN1cnAb'Ss
Section / provides that from and after
the time this act goes into effect, the Of
fees of Water Commissioner, Police Com
missioner, Street and Sewer Director,
Park Commissioner. and member of the
Board of Health, be and the same are
hereby abolished
Section >: That there is hereby created
and established for the city Of Whining
I a., no aa
Board Of Public Works" Section 8: said
board shall consist OF six members. The
Mayor shall ex-officio be member and
presiding officer of said board but shall
have no right TO vote excepting in cases
where there is a tie.
Section 4: In carrying out the objects Of
this act, the said Board of Public
Works" shall have the same complete
jurisdiction over all those matters and
things, and shall exercise every power,
privilege. right. duty and authority, now
vested by every means whatsoever In each
Of the departments abolished None of the
said departments shall have the right. af-
ter the passage of this act, Cand it is
hereby expressly forbidden under pen
atty Of forfeiture of office of any person
voting THEREFOR to begin any undertake
ing or to enter into any contract, the per-
formance OF which and the full payment
Of which In such cases shall not be en-
tirely made and completed on or before
the date when this act goes into effect
Section 3: That Thomas NJ. Monaghan,
George W. Sparks, Andrew L. Johnson,
Alfred ID. Warner James r. Winchester
and William w Lobdel arc hereby con-
stituted as said Board of Public Works"
with full power to act as such for the
term OF one. two. three. four. FIVE and
six years as herein specified respectively.
Said commissioners shall determine their
terms by lot The commissioner who
draws the one years term shall serve 10
and until the Fifteenth day Of March. a.
d.. 1910 The commissioner who draws tho
two years term shall serve to and until
the 18th day Of March, A. D., 1911. Crhe
other commissioners in the same manner)
Section 6: At the expiration OF the term
Of said commissioner who shall draw the
shortest term and annually thereafter. the
place of the retiring commissioner shall be
nned by appointment by the Mayor Of the
city Of Wilmington for a term of six
years but such appointment shall be sub
iect to confirmation by the Council Va
e cancies caused by death, resignation, or
5 removal from the city OF any member Of
E said board shall be filled by appointment
by the Mayor for the unexpired term.
D Section z: All appointments shall he so
G made that the membership OF said Board
e shall not consist OF more than three mem-
e bers OF any one political party.
$ Section s: Each Representative District
T. OF the city Of Wilmington shall always
e be entitled TO representation in the mem
e bership Of said Board.
J. Section Q: Provides that appointments
s must be confirmed by the Council.
n Section 10: Provides salary Of $1,000
S per year
$ Section II: Fixes the qualification OF
u members
Section ~: Provides that members shall
not hold any other municipal office.
J. Section 49, Provides the oath Of office.
). Section "a: Provides for the bond to be
u given by members.
Section 10. Provides for organization
Of the new Board and the appointment
OF committees and the delegation OF power
20 committees subject to approval OF the
y Board.
Section i6: Continues in force all ordi-
:. nances, resolutions and regulations affect.
: ing the departments consolidated until
!. they are changed by said Board.
Section r.: Authorizes the making OF
rules for the control OF employees.
/, Section IS; Provides that the Board shall
meet on Tuesday might of each week, all
meetings TO be public.
Section 10: No resolution granting fran
chise rights or imposing penalties shall be
passed by said Board unless It shall have
had at least two readings at a previous
g stated meeting or meetings.
a Section 20: Gives the Mayor power TO
, veto.
a section n: Said Board IN addition TO the
q powers herenbefore granted shall have
power to adopt resolutions for the rent
ing OF spaces beneath the surface of city
streets for the extension Of vaults and
n cellars and may permit the building OF
s brideeways above the city streets at such
!, rates and under such conditions as said
n Board shall determine.
II Section %: Provides for examination Of
T. bills by the city auditor.
Section %: The Council shall make sep
r arate appropriations 10 said Board for
h the several needs OF such body. the total
d amount Of which appropriations shall not
C be less than 100000. but such Board may.
a by two-thirds vote. direct the Council
e to transfer any part OF any such funds
to any other item or Items OF appropria-
ton.
Soctio, %. In Tho axnon,lft,,ra % fts