New Britain herald., 1928-04-24
WATER BOARD WILL
 HIRE NEW ENGINEER
Continued from First PaEe)

4 Vt HItH tile pCdIu u iidu uClOlS IL nlaue 1t apparent that the most important matter of the night would not bo heard for some time. It was suggest cd that the commissioners meet the mayor in his office after their re- aular meeting.
 The full water board was present including Chairman Hatch. and Commissioners Pelton, Lamb. and Watson.
 When the commissioners were seated in the mayors office Mayor Paonessa reminded them Of the pro- gram they had ahead for improving and cnlargins the city's water sup ply He said that Engineer Williams was not experienced in this type Of work and suggested that the board engage a more experienced man for the tasks ahead even if it had to pay larger salary.
 Chairman Hatch explained hat the work is under the supervision of Allen Hazcn. a consulting en- gincer. He said Williams has charge of the detail work of construction. Hazcn draws all plans. According to Mir. Hatch, the board felt that En- einccr Williams was good man for the place at the time he was ap- pointed because of his knowledge of conditions. There is no question that we can find better engineers but we will have to pay the price, Mir. Hatch concluded.
 Mayor Paonessa admitted it would cost more. but he felt it was worth tho additional expenditure because of the million dollar program which was being planned.
 According to the board chairman the most important part Of the work will not be done for about 15 or l6 years.
 Pclton Ea>ors Williams
 Mir. Pelton said that New Britain could not afford to have high prc- cd engineer to do all the work. He said the Stanley Works, American Hardware, and Landers, I'rary & Clark do not have high salaricd en- gincers. These men are brought in only for the bigger jobs he declared.
 Mir. Pelton said the work done by Mir. Williams SO far was very satis- factory, that the engineer knew the watersheds and other details of the depa rtmcnt It would take another engineer several years to learn what Mr. Williams knows of the depart ment, Mir. Pelton said.
 We would not be doing the city a good turn. in fact VIC would he 1o-. ing it bad turn if we decided 10 drop Mir. WilliH ms" he concluded.
 Accuses Williams of Inetficicncy
 Its very easy to give satisfac- tory service in the work which Mr. Williams has been doing so far, Mayor Paonessa declared. All he has to be is a surveyor and he would be satisfactory for this type of work"
 The mayor told the members he knew Of instances where City En- gineer Williams was inefficient. He said he was not willing to disclose these instances at this time, but he was confident the job would be too big for Mir. Williams.
 He told of mistakes made by an engineer on dam upon which he was working when he lived in New York state. He said it cost the com- psny money and it was all the re- suit of inexperience on the part of the engineer
 New Britain has lost much mon ey through the inferior work of its employees and if is our duty 10 See that such things se that do not oc- cur in the future" the mayor added
 Chairman Hatch expressed the opinion that he would like to have an experienced engineer who would supervise the department. An en gneer like the one who is now in charge of Hartford's water supply and who would take over much 0. the duties now being held by clerks, would be satisfactory, he opined. II" indicated that he would be willing 10 serve as chairman without salary, but the overhead if a new eB-. gineer were engaged, would be larg- CT, he felt.
 Commission Undecided
 Toward the latter part of The meeting it seemed to be certain that Chirman Hatch and Commissioner Pelton were opposed to discharging the engineer, that Commissioner Watson was undecided and in ouc statement made by Commissioner Lamb, it appeared as if he were willing to fulfill the mayors wishes.
 When it was found they were not getting anywhere. Commissioner Pelton suggested that the members go into executive session. and after discussion to return to the mayor with q verdict. After time the mayor was asked 10 join the hosrl For more than a half hour the con ference was under way in the hear ing room of City hall. City Engiu ecr Williams was across the hall 'n the water board office during both meetings.
 nEEn m ENTER NANfl-