“You and Council cannot continue to attempt to usurp the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the executive which is contrary to state and local law.”

That was one of the statements made by Portsmouth Mayor Jane Murray in a memo to Portsmouth City Solicitor Mike Jones, responding to his response to a request for an ordinance to replace the roof on the Portsmouth City Building.

Murray has listed 19 items as part of a request to Portsmouth City Council for $65,000 for total roof replacement in the wake of water damage that occurred during a torrential downpour last week. The estimate is from Stevens Construction Company, and Murray is asking that the ordinance be treated as an emergency.

However, in the list of work to be done, only a total price is listed, resulting in a response from Jones.

“I would recommend that you have some preliminary information as to projected costs and the actual scope of work for this repair project,” Jones said in an e-mail. “… there is no projected costs and/or breakdown of costs for each of these separate repairs and Council needs to know the costs so that adequate funds could be appropriated. As we discussed, Council needs to authorize these repairs.”

Jones also said after talking with the service director, it was his understanding that the last estimates for the types of repairs being requested were from 2006, so he is recommending updated bids from several contractors “as the costs of these repairs have likely increased since 2006,” Jones said.

Murray, however, said “We have to move on this now. Not a month from now.”

FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232 or flewis@heartlandpublications.com