New Britain herald., 1930-01-07
SEEK ASSISTANT
 FOR SEWER SUPT.
Dobson and Merian Also Urge Increases for B. P. ". Workers

The outstanding recommendation of the public works department to the common council committee on salaries last night was that the of fee of assistant superintendent Of sewers be established and the sal ary set at s45 a week. Chairman George k. Dobson and City Engi- neer r. A. Merriam told the commit tee that Superintendent Michael r O'Brlen needs an assistant and 1t would be to the city's advantage that he have one. because someone else should know something of the layout of the sewer system and be in position to step in when the superintendent Is unable to look after his duties through illness or while on vacation.
 Councilman Joseph Mlynarski of the fifth ward. who served on the board of public worKs twice, urged the salary committee to adopt the recommendation. He said the board 5 from experience that there should be more than one man in possession of the important information rela- tive to the sewer system.
 Councilman c. o. Holt wanted to know how Superintendent O'Brien felt about 1t, and Chairman Dobson replied that he is whole heartedly in favor of having someone to as- sist him. The idea is 10 have one of the present foremen work with the superintendent long enough to learn something about the system, and when he is not on this detail. he could work as a foreman. In this way, should an emergency arise. the department would not be hampered unnecessarily
 Figures were presented 10 SUD- port the claim that the public works department has been operating economically and doing more work than in previous years. and Chair man Dobson praised City Engineer Merian and other empioyes for their ability and application to their duties. The following statement was presented to the committee by the public works department represent atives:
 The present salary list passed by the common council consists of the following grades and salaries: One senior assistant engineer, s5S per week: three assistant engineers s45, s42, s36 per week; four tram sitmen, s36, three $50 per week: two draftsmen, s27 and s24 per week: five helpers. s27. s21, SIS per week; Is men allowed, 12 ac- tually employed.
 "The proposed salary list, recom- mended by the board of public works, consists of the following grades and maximum salaries: One assistant city engineer. s3,oOO or $61.53; two division engineers, s2,- 4ss or s4S; two assistant engineers, s2.000 or s3S.46: three transitmen, $l,S00 or s34.S0; two draftsmen, s1,soo or s34.So; three chainmen, $1,200 or s23.04: three rodmen. s1,- coo or sl9.23; 16 men allowed.
 Tn making this recommendation the board of public works points out the following suggestions which make for greater efficiency:
 l. There should be an assistant city engineer capable of assisting in the work of the city engineer, both in the engineering department and the board of public works.
 2. The assistant city engineer should have two assistants. One for each department, sewer and street Hence the two division engineers.
 3. Each division engineer, espe- cially the street department, should have assistant engineers or party chiefs to carry on the field work in his department.
 4. Each department should have a qualified draftsman who should rate the same as a transitman.
 s. Transitmen should be qualified to handle field instruments and take