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<br />L52 <br /> <br />TUES DAY <br /> <br />SEPTEMBER 8, 1953 <br /> <br />The following memorandum from City Manager Mathewson, regarding the organi- <br /> <br />zational consolidation of all local utility and public works activities, was <br /> <br />unanimously approved by Council: <br /> <br />To: <br />Subject: <br /> <br />The Mayor and Council <br />Consolidated Department <br /> <br />The City has awarded a contract in the amount of $250,000.00 to build a <br />consolidated garage, shops, warehouse, and storage yard. By the time these <br />buildings are equipped, fenced, and provided with side track, water line, <br />vehicle storage sheds and other necessary improvements the City will have <br />an investment of over $300,000.00 in land, buildings, and equipment. <br /> <br />This represents a sound investment towards future savings for the City of <br />Martinsville. This move by its very nature represents a physical consoli- <br />dation of our various utility and public works activities -- water, sewer, <br />electric, streets, etc. <br /> <br />It is ~ belief that it is essential to have this physical consolidation of <br />the public works and utilities departments accompanied by an organizational <br />consolidation of the departments. Both physical and organizational consoli- <br />dations are needed to insure maximum benefits to the City. <br /> <br />Accordingly, subject to Council's concurrence, it is ~ plan to immediately <br />unite the functions of water, sewer, electric, streets, refuse, engineering <br />and prison farm into one department to be known as the Water, Electric and <br />Street Department. <br /> <br />We are very fortunate in having two exceedingly well-qualified and versatile <br />men to head up the work of this united department. Because of his specialized <br />training in the field of electrical and public utilities engineering and gen- <br />eral knowledge of construction work, I am asking Walker H. Graves to assume <br />the overall responsibility for directing and coordinating the activities of <br />the Water, Electric and Street Department. I am asking Richard L. Maury, <br />because of his many years of valuable experience and training in construction <br />and maintenance work, to serve as Chief Engineer for the Water, Electric and <br />Street Departrrent. <br /> <br />Daily I am becoming more aware of the extremely difficult load that must be <br />carried on by our personnel if the current two-million-dollar water, electric <br />and street improvement program is to be completed in an economical and sound <br />manner and if we are to meet the future growing needs of the City. This <br />burden must be shared equally by all our personnel. While both Mr. Graves and <br />Mr. Maury will have larger jobs, by working as a team -- dividing responsibilities, <br />engineering calculations, public contacts and work inspections -- much can be <br />accomplished towards easing the burden and improving the work. Each must <br />familiarize the other with details of his work but with the proper exchange of <br />co-operation, serving as an incentive to the others in the Department, a truly <br />united Water, Electric and Street Department can be created that will pay rich <br />dividends in the months and years ahead. <br /> <br />Kent Mathewson, City Manager <br /> <br />Council was adjourned. <br /> <br />~ cJYrk';;r Council <br />