New Britain herald., 1916-09-20
SCHOOL BOARD IS GRANTED $lS5,OOO
 
Mill Build New School and Repair
 Damage at PreVOcational

The board of finance and taxation
 held it's first meeting of the fiscal year last night, but did not discover the fact until nearly ready to adjourn. Then Comptroller H. L. Curtis called attention to the fact and said it was possible all the action of the eve- ming was illegal because the board had not formally organized before starting. It was decided, however, that the board could reorganize then and there and it was done by re-elect- ing City Treasurer F. S. Chamber lain chairman. The board was called to- gether to take action on the school boards petition for appropriations amounting to $1S5,0OO for the con- struction of the new Burritt school and repairs to the foundation of the Prevocational school. Over half an hour was lost before a quorum could Dss gathered and then the board strug- gled through a threatened legal tan- gle before the business was finally set tied.
 Mayor Quigley presided and after some discussion it was decided to take action on the Prevocational school foundation matter first. G. W. Traut chairman of the accommodations committee of the school board, was called upon to explain. He estimated the cost at $15,000. The mayor asked if that would cover it and MT. Traut said he thought so. The work is we'll under way and twelve of the rein foreement piers have been poured. Only eight remain. The original esti- mate was $9,500, but it was found more concrete would be needed. No quick sand was found simply mud and peat.
 Fred Beloin said the contractor told him when the building was being erected that the foundation was not right. MT. Hatch said he knew 1iUth- ing about the contractors statement When the estimate was made, $5,000 was appropriated for the purpose of strength ening the wall footings but the architect decided it was not neces- sary. Judge Gaffney declared it was sirfply an honest mistake of judg- ment on the part of the architect. He had nothing to gain 'by refusing to spend the money.
 The Burritt school proposition came next. Mayor Quigley asked about the rejection of M. J. Kelly's bid on the heating and ventilating contract. MT. Traut replied briefly that the co mmit- tee didn't consider him capable of do- 1 ing the work. Theree was no feeling in 1 the matter. MT. Traut then went | over the various items of expense as estimated, totaling $161,500. The [ board was asking $170,0OO as ar out i side figure. It was explained in an- swer to questions that the new build ing will contain twenty-six class rooms and have an auditorium and | two gymnasiums. The building will l measure 130 by 16S feet and will con- :, tain 800000 cubic feet of space.
 At this point Mayor Quigley took up the question of school expense and urged the board of education to use the greatest economy. He explained 1 that the total expenses for the year for schools will be $376,210, includ- Ing bonds and interest on bonds. The l bonded indebtedness for schools is now nearly $900,000. It means 0 con- stantly increasing tax rate unless something is done to hold down the expenses said the mayor. E. N. Hum phrey asked Superintendent Holmes 1 the cost of the schools per pupil. He | replied that it is SPA, about the same as when he came here. Dr. J. F. Martin offered an explanation for the lncreasing cost of the schools. He said buildings were not built when they were needed and crowded schools re- suited. Now the expense has come 1 all at once. The mayor didn't think the reason offered a solution of the question. Judge Gaffney called at |tenHon to the crowded condition of !, -