The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-08-25

made possible following ruling by the General Assembly in lesl au- thorizlng the city to float water bonds in amount Of e2.O00. 900 to fi- nance the work. In lesl the city fioated si million in bonds and in i9s2 the sum of $500. 900. the latter in connection with the extenuating second pipe line now in full use by the city and local industries. Tn i0s3 it was determined that addi. tional work need be undertaken for which an additional sies. 900 in bonds were issued by the city.
 It was decreed by the federal au- thorities at the time that the con. stEuction constituted a national de- fense measure under qualifications Of the Lanham act and was de- clared eligible for subsialzation in amount of ss0o.000 in federal grant.
 The firm of L. c. DeFelice & Sons, Inc, Of New Haven. contractors for the reservoir, have been paid s7e5,- 39s to date with the city retaining e64, ,908 of the final contract fee. The federal authorities have paid out ss50 900 to the city to date with the remaining s50,o GOO expected to be forthcoming soon.
 Retainment of the final payment to the contractors stems from the lack of final determination as to whether the firm should have im- posed upon it those penalties called for within the contract. It seems to be the consensus. at this time that the payment win be made. hog- ecer. providing it can be reasonably shown that the delay resulted from such unavoidable obstacles as pri- ortty and other government restric- tions.
 However. in a recent report sub- mitted by Barrow. Wade. Guthrie 6s Go. for the fiscal year of iea2 men, tion was made of these liquidated damages in a manner that might inc dicate that from a strict accounting viewpoint the municipality might be expected to demand the imposition of the penalty clause of the con- tract.
 The auditors report outlined the progress Of the contract. including the request for additional time and the city'S reaction to the same. It states as follows: "On March 90. i9s3. the Board (Board of Works) at it's regular meeting referred the matter to the City Engineer and Corporation Counsel. This matter is still held in abeyance. However. We are informed by the Engineering Department og the City of Water. bury that a decision is expected in the near future.
 Tn view of the foregoing circufn- stances. provision has not been re- flected on the Balance Sheet of the Water Supply Bond Fund at De- cember 3l, i942. for any recovery of liquidated damages that the City of Waterbury may be entitled to re- ceiye under this contract"
 Contents Of all local reservoirs are at normal levels and are expected to amply take care of the city's needs this year Latest estimate reveal the WigWam reservoir as only one foot. three inches. below top elevation of 425 feet. Morris reser- voiF has been estimated as at the 5i3.3e foot level with top elevation set at 5i5 feet.
 No final estimates as to SIepaug and Pitch were determined because as stated here last month the latter was being filled from the former.
 City officials accompanied Mr. Sjoyal on yesterdays inspection tour included Mayor John s. M0nagan. William Hooyel and Henry Whit lock. Charles Root, city engineer. was unable to attend due to a preyi- 0us business commitment.