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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-07-12218 Colonel Barry re: vacancy in Public Works Department SELECTMEN'S MEETING July 12, 1945 A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Thursday evening, July 12, 1945. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potter and howse were present. The Clerk was also present. This special meeting was decided upon by the Board at the regular meeting held on Monday, July 9, 1945. At 8:15 p.m. Lt. Col. Henry B. Barry appeared before the Board, having been invited to. attend the meeting by the Chairman. The Chairman stated that the Board reviewed, last Monday evening, the fact that he and Mr. Rowse had talked with Col. Barry purely in a tentative manner as to whether or not it would be possible to work out some way whereby Col. Barry could help out in the Department of Public Works until such time as a perman- ent Supt. of Public Works is appointed. The Chairman said that Mr. John J. Garrity had been appointed Assistant Supt. of Public Works several weeks ago before Mr. Paxton resigned as Superintendent. He said that Mr. Garrity had been helping Mr. Paxton on outside work. The Chairman stated that Mr. Garrity's work consisted of Parks and Playgrounds, Moth Control, Insect Suppression etc., but that he was not particularly qualified on engineering matters. Col. Barry said that he would be very glad to do anything that he could to help the town. He said that he had been an army officer for a great number of years, but that his experience during the last working years has been with civilian personnel and not with soldiers. He stated that he has had officers under him and as many as 8,000 civilian employees and that he was used to deal- ing with civilian personnel. Col. Barry read several commendations received by him pertaining to his administra- tive qualifications. He said that he felt qualified to at least look into the situation and report to the Board of Selectmen what he found to be wrong, if anything. He informed the Board that he is not a qualified engineer. Mr. Rowse asked Col. Barry what phases of work he had charge of in Chicago which would be similar to the work in the Public Works Department. Col. Barry replied that he had experience with water, sewer and electricity. He said that he its qualm' ed for organization, but that he is not an engineer. 1 Mr. Rowse said that the need at the present time was for someone who could report to the Board of Select- men elect-men and represent the Board in the Supt. of Public Works Department, and to assume the responsibility in that Deaprtment. Mr. Rowse explained in detail how the Depart- ment had formerly operated with a Supt. of Parks, Water Highway, etc. Mr. Rowse stated that Col. Barry would be working with "'Ir. Garrity and Mr. Wessinger as a working foreman. He also explained that the present Engineering Department was very weak. Col. Barry said that he would be very glad to do whatever he could. The Chairman informed Col. ''arry that the Supt. of Public Works also had the responsibility and supervision of the Public Works Building, maintenance of the Town Office Building, Cary Memorial Building, and the town's insurance. Col. Barry asked whether or not there was a written statement available as to the exact duties of the Supt. of Public Works and Mr. Rowse replied in the affirmative. Col. Barry asked if qualified Senior Clerks could be employed if available. Mr.Rowse said that if the Junior Clerks were replaced with Senior Clerks, a request would have to be made for a transfer from the Reserve Fund. Mr. Rowse asked Col.Barry when he would be available and Col. Barry relied that he would be available any time the Board wanted him. Mr. Rowse asked how he felt about the financial arrangement and what salary would be satisfactory to him. Col. Barry said that he thought the minimum would be 300 per month. Mr. Rowse informed Col. Barry that he would have a car to use and that gasoline,oil and service would be furnished by the town. Col. Barry said that as he understood the situation, he would have a lot ofoffice work,_ but he did not believe it would be wise to assume a title mentioning the word "Superintendent". The Chairman said that the Board would not change Mr. Garrity's title of Asst Supt. of Public Works and that the arrangement with Col. Barry was merely temporary. He said that the position of Supt. of Public Works was still open and would be until such time as a permaneht man was appointed. Mr. Potter suggested that Col. Barry be given the title of Executive Assistant, Department of Public Works and upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Rowse, it was so voted. Mr. Rowse asked Col. Barry if the amount of *75.00 per Week would be satisfactory and Col. Barry replied in the affirmative. Mr. Rowse moved that Col. Henry B. Barry (U.S. Army retired) of 26 Oakland Street, Lexington be appointed Executive Assistant, Department of Public Works, effective Monday, July 16, 1945 at a salary of *75.00 per week; Col. Barry to act until such time as a permanent Superintendent 219 Colonel Barry Appointed Executive Assistant 220 of Public Works is aroointed. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was voted. A true record, Attest: cc a PMJ1