HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-35-75 M E M 0RANDUM __ No. 35
TO: Ivan M. Hobbs, Chairman of Public Works Committee
FROM: J. Dunham, Director of Public Works Department
SUBJZCT: Centralization of Public Works
DATE: October 22, 1975
The above subject has been discussed briefly in
the past 10 months. On March 27, 1975, the Co-
ordinating Committee of the Road Needs Study
reviewed the report on Equipment Housing. At
that time it was learned that 8 additional bays
were needed to meet todays needs.
It was also noted that the 1975 Capital fore-
cast included $90,000 for a Works Department
Building and a further $40,000 for Works Depart-
ment Buildings (Salt Storage) being a total of
$130 000. Action taken on this information was
Resolution #R.N.-11-75 which stated that "this
Committee approve of the construction of a ten
bay garage, at an estimated cost of $500,000.00
to replace at least one existing facility. Con-
struction to take place during the year 1976-78".
Many decisions have to be made prior to any
action such as a geographic location, land ac-
quisition, etc. All this could and likely will
take 12 months to complete. If so where would
that put us? My calculations are bctober 1976,
which is an example of how time slips away.
However, there is another possibility that should
be considered in lieu of total centralization.
If the two existing buildings in Division 1 and 3
were expanded, everything then could be housed
in those two buildings. In watching firstly the
Courtice Plan and secondly the Bowmanville Plan,
and supposing 5010 of the two plans do materialize,
then this proposal could have merit. Some might
think this is poor planning to suggest phasing
out the building in Bowmanville, but I would say
that it never was the most desirous place to be
located in the first place.
0 . . . 2
. . . . 2
The building is situated in a very low area and
almost impossible to improve, let alone expand.
Also, in the future I am concerned about access
to Hwy. 401, possibly updating of the Base Line
which means that shortly traffic in that area
could double leaving access to the Works Yard
and that is not too appealing.
In considering this, another improvement and ben-
efit to the Works Department would be a reduction
in the supervisory staff. This would be done by
operating the Works Department in two divisions
instead of the now existing three. There are
many more areas whereby improvements can be made
under this proposal which I will not go into at
this time.
In conglusion, I wish to stress the importance of
this matter. One must also appreciate the fact
that a major decision is to be made providing we
make one.
I, therefore recommend that everyone work to-
gether in making a decision and not each one in
his own direction? as has happened in some cases
in the past. I wi11 be glad to sit down with Coun-
cil or a Committee of Council and start planning
for this soon.
J. Dunham.