I worked for a town engineering department when I was younger and found some interesting things that need not be itemized here. One issue that did stick with me was how towns are usually required to take the lowest bid offered them for a contract. This can lead to pervasive abuses and cost over-runs. Newsday has an article today on what has happened in the NY area as it tries to build schools that points out how this contracting policy can go wrong. It's a hairy political issue to deal with as almost any system has dangerous pitfalls, but I think townships need to look at how to maximize the quality of projects when completed as well as trying best to insulate the process from local corruption.
- posted by levinson @ 7/10/2001 09:21:00 AM