HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-03-22-PBC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON MASSACHUSETTS
PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE
Minutes of Monday March 22, 1999 meeting in Room 111 Town Office Building, as approved
April 28, 1999
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kelley shortly after 6:30 p.m. with other PBC
members Cannalonga, Himmel, Poinelli and Touart present Also attending were Director of
School Buildings Operation John Moynihan III.
Procedure for interviews and types of questions to ask were reviewed, with the question of
whether the person would be independent contractor or temporary employee to be asked of each,
since it would be of little difference financially After introduction of the PBC work and its
members, the project(s) would be described. It was informally agreed that the questions asked
should be to encourage the candidate to talk about how he would approach tasks and problems.
Moynihan noted that John Miller of HMFH would like to participate in the interviews and
deliberations about candidates.
Candidate I.William A. Kealv Sr. is a veteran of 37 on one job for the City of Lowell on all
kinds of construction jobs, among them 15 schools in ten years. All of his building projects were
in the public sector He began his work career as a teacher and then became a journalist and
jumped aboard his first construction assignment through his knowledge of urban renewal learned
by having to write about it. Lowell has seen many a building project over the years. The city gets
90 percent reimbursement for many of its projects due to a large influx of immigrants. Most of
the construction work Kealy has managed has come in on time and within original budget.
When asked how he would handle a difficult contractor, Kealy responded that he would work
with him, negotiating with all involved such as architects and clerks of the works. Safety must
be a main concern, and workers should be kept separate from students on school projects. On the
Lowell contracts Kealy was the person in charge; he negotiated contracts and supervised clerks of
the works, making sure that they kept good records and took plenty of pictures.
When asked about presentations, Kealy emphasized his background as an English major. He has
appeared on TV He expressed preference for employment rather than contractor status because
he would like to improve his retirement income. He also explained that construction work in
Lowell is slowing and he now seeks more active challenges.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. until Tuesday, March 23 at 6 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Erna S. Greene Secretary