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Resident seeks damages after window shattered; council asks DPW to investigate
Summary
A claimant told the council his driver's-side window shattered after witnessing a Department of Public Works employee weed-wacking; the council noted a discrepancy between repair invoices and the law department recommended waiting for a DPW report before paying a claim.
Andrew Margado appeared before the council to present a claim that a Department of Public Works employee's weed-wacker threw debris that shattered his vehicle's driver's-side window on July 3.
Margado described driving down First Street on the day in question when he heard a "popping" noise and found the driver's-side window shattered. He said he spoke to a public-works employee who acknowledged the popping sound while operating a weed-wacker.
Members of the council and law department staff asked clarifying questions about the claim paperwork. The packet before council included an invoice for $399, while the claimant's stated total was $2,200; the solicitor flagged that discrepancy and explained that DPW typically conducts an internal investigation before the council acts on claims. "Maybe if the council were trying to grant the claim, if you could do that contingent on DPW coming back with an affirmative report that they did cause this," the solicitor advised, adding that the department's internal process may take several weeks.
Council members suggested the claimant could return after DPW completes its review or that the council could consider a contingent payment if DPW's investigation confirms liability. No final monetary award was recorded in the transcript excerpt; the council's law and public-works staff indicated an inquiry was in progress.
