10/20/1925 Board of Public Works Minutes

Home Browse Search

0 li E. A. Coates and John Schaub of the Williston Construction Company before Board and filed the following co:nrmmication which was read and placed on file October 19th.,1925. jBoard of Public Works, South Bend, Indiana. (Gentlemen: - In connection with our contracts dated September lst.,1925, for the paving of Williams Street and Diagonal Street, it was out intention to complete these contracts this season. On October 13th. at your Board meeting, you ordered us to commence work on these contracts at once. At that time, we discussed the possibility of completing these contracts this year. We have carefully analysed the situation and have come to the conclusion that these contracts cannot be completed during the present working season. It has always been out desire to co-operate with the City in every way and ;we believe our past record will bear this out, and while we are still desirous of doing everything possible to succeed to your wishes, we believe when you review the facts in !this case, that you will come to the conclusion that it would not be reasonable to ask us to commence work on these contracts at this time. • ! Immediatel after obtaining these contracts we urged upon y g , o p you the necessity of prompt action in getting the sewer, water mains and water taps out of the way. The sewer has been completed but the laying of the water main by the City has not started until October 14th., and will probably not be completed before the end of this week. The contract for the water taps was let on October 13th., and cannot be entirely jeompleted until after the main is in. On account of these delays, beyong bur control, and because of the lateness of the season, with the amount of work invstived, it will be (impossible to complete this work before weather conditions will prohibit paving operatio: without injury and greatly increased cost. Since this street will have a large amount of heavy traffic and we are oblidged to file a maintenance bond, it should not be built under adversed conditions. If we cannot work now and weather conditions stop the construction, as we re convinced will be the case, there will be great danager of accidents and damages on ccount of the intersecting streets which must be cut into even though we go to great xpense maintaining barricades and lighting these places throughout the entire winter. Nile the street is in its present condition, the alleys can be used and there will be o danger of a ccidents on the important intersecting streets. In view of these facts, e trust you will recognize the reasonableness of our position. if, under the circumstances, your Board feels that ourcontracts should be rescinded , we are willing to enter into an agreement with you covering the cancellation f these contract. e are Assuring you of our desire to acceed to your wishes whererver possible, i j Yours very truly, elILLISTOT� COMTRUCTION COI 'Ah'Y Filed BY E. A. COATS 11111 e:D Oct. 2011925. President. Board of Public ,lorks j 'By L. B. Slaughter President, i h?r, Coates .was asked if the real meaning of his communication was that • he refused to commence work on his contract. After some quibbling he replied to this direct question that it did mean that he so refused. Asked if it was possible to com- plete the work this fall, he replied that it was, but at a greater cost than would be required in the summer. Asked if he would assign the contract, if some other contractor would accept and fulfill it, he at first replied No, and then stated he would consult With his attorney, and would advise the Board. II-1PROV11.ANT RESOLUTION NO. 1594 for Harriett Street to Eighteenth Street, adopted and files for original resolution.) Adopted and filed. Claims amounting to Attest:- ell- _ Cy. Clerk of the Board. .0 Pavement on Sunnymede Avenue from reading as follows:- ,E Insert see