Series S517 - Board of Works subject files

One of the standing committees of City Council, the Board of Works was established in 1886 and existed until 1955 at which time it was dissolved and its functions and responsibilities were taken over by the newly established Board of Administration. While active, the Board of Works was the supervising body for the Engineering Department, and primarily reported to Council on matters related to the planning, development, construction, maintenance and repair of public works. The Board of Works also shared responsibility with the Engineering Department for the water works with the Water Works Committee (also known as the Board of Water). This latter committee was abolished in 1936; its functions were then taken over by the Board of Works.
Though usually referred to as the Board of Works, the committee’s official name changed a number of times:
• Board of Works (1886)
• Committee on Works and Property (1887)
• Committee on Works (1916)
• Committee on Works and Water (1937)
The membership of the Board of Works consisted of a number of aldermen appointed annually by City Council. There was also a Secretary to the Board, hired by the City Engineer, who acted as the administrating link between the Board of Works, the City Engineer, and the Engineering Department.

Functions

The duties of the Board, which did not change substantially over time, were:
a) to direct and control the work of the City Engineer and the Engineering Department;
b) to advise City Council on matters regarding the work and functions of the Engineering Department;
c) to prepare and introduce to Council all by-laws necessary for the execution of the work of the Engineering Department;
d) to ensure that all by-laws and resolutions of Council regarding the Engineering Department were put into effect;
e) to report to Council on the work and finances of the Engineering Department;
f) and to confer with other committees of Council and other bodies as necessary.

Sources of Authority

The duties and functions of the Board of works can be found in a succession of procedural bylaws (#32 in 1887; #220 in 1894; #516 in 1894; #960 in 1916; #1953 in 1929; #2439 in 1937; and #2462, also in 1937).