The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-05
Laxity, Neglect In
Dept, Says Pallotti


charges for various pieces Of
equipment shown by the inspec-
tors field note books or daily re-
port sheets to be working on reg
ular contract work on the same
days, and in other instances I
have been astonished to find that
the contractor was paid for the
use Of equipment on alleged ex-
ira work beyond the scope Of the
original contract on days for
which the schedule allows him
idle time" on the same equip
ment.
1t further appears that on July
7, 1888, representatives Of the
highway department agreed with
representatives OF the Federal
Bureau of Public Roads as to the
method to be employed in the
furtherance Of certain features
Of the construction. The federal
representatives had agreed TO
recommend federal participation
In the cost of these features Of
the construction, If carried out
in accordance with the agree
ment. At the time this agree
ment was made, the highway de-
partment, without the knowledge
of the federal representatives,
was carrying out the construction
by another method, and contin-
ued so to do despite the agree
ment, even though it involved
loss of federal participation.
1t further appears that the
contractor was allowed to con-
tinue driving piles for the first
bridge to be erected even though
It was brought to the attention
Of the department officials, upon
the driving Of the first piles, that
the material into which they
were being driven failed to fur
nish the proper lateral support,
and that they would furnish no
firm foundation for the bridge.
I have also discovered that
state highway department en-
ployes and material were used In
repairing damage to the bridge
structure caused by blasting done
by the contractor. This work was
performed by the state men prior
to the acceptance Of the bridge
by the state and the completion OF
the contract by the contractor. I
firmly believe that 1t was up TO
the contractor to do the work
performed by these department
employees. 1t furthermore appears
from my investigation that the
contractor was paid sums over and
above the contract price for al
legged extra work which I believe
he was obligated to do as a part
of his regular contract work.
These facts which l have un-
covered In my investigation in
d1cate TO me a course of conduct
upon the part of the highway
commissioner and his employees
that Is most lax and neglectful
of the best interests OF the state.
I feel SO strongly about this mat
ter that I feel it my duty, as at
torney general, TO apprise you of
the situation for whatever action
you may see fit TO take.
Savin Firm Fav0red-Claim
In addition to the contract of
the Gammino company, 1t has
just come to my attention that
In the awarding OF the contract
for the construction Of the river
front boulevard in the town Of
Hartford along the dixie, which
collapsed several months ago,
that the successful bidder, the A.
!. Savin Construction Co., was
apprsed by the highway depart
ment. two weeks prior to the sub
mission of bids, that it would be
permitted to use fill dredged from
the river In carrying out the con-
tract. Approximately one third
of the total cost of the project
was for this fill. The other bid
ders were not informed that they
might use fill from the river bed
ard no addenda was issued to
them by the highway department
giving them the same information
which the department had fur
nlshed to the Savin Construction
Co. This appears TO me highly
improper and creating a prefer
ence in favor of this particular
contractor which practically al
lowed 1t TO be the sole bidder on
the project and TO establish its
own price for the river I'LL TO the
detriment OF the state without
fear OF competition from the 9TH
er contractors submitting bids.
I do not believe that such con-
duct on the part Of state official
can be condoned and 1t appears
to me that on these two particu-
lar contracts that the highway
commissioner has been guilty OF
material neglect OF duty and in
competence In the conduct of his
Office.
Respectfully yours,
FRANCIS A. PALLOTTI,
Atk1,r> -, ls.-z..I