Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-06-12
THAT POLICE STATION.
THE COUNCIL ACTS FAvoRkBLY IN THE
 MATTER.
The Board of Police Commissioners In- structed to Obtain Plans For New Building in the Rear of City Hall.

recommendation therein contained a part of this report except that part of the minority report of said committee which finds that the land in the rear of the city hall is inadequate for new police station and such other parts of said report as tend to discourage the use of said land for the purpose named. We find as at present con- stituted the present lookup contains only eight cells for prisoners, which is not sufficient for city of this size and that the ventilation is very bad indeed and al most inhuman from 8 sanitary point of view. Other portions of the building are no better There is no possible arrange ment at present whereby female prisoners can be cared for separate from the males, which is serious objection. The cells are often occupied at night by at least one prisoner and occasionally by more than one. The accommodations for those termed lodgers, sometimes tramps and persons not charged with any offense are very incom- plete and entirely inadequate for our city. The prisoners charged with misdemeanors are often compelled to occupy the same apartments with the class of prisoners above named, where by filth and vermin prevail to to alarming extent
 The location of the present lookup is not desirable owing to it's surrounding and from the fact that it is so great Q distance from the public court room.
 The present building is in bad condi- tion, and not such as could be desired, and we cannot recommend the expenditure of any money for it's repair.
 It may be as @ matter of necessity proper to repair and otherwise expend money to improve the present lookup if a new building or new location is refused, but we certainly do not believe it to be economy for the city to expend $500 to 1000 for such purpose when new station house seems so desirable.
 We further find that the present lookup is valuable to the city as it now exists for the purpose of sale or for it's own use in the sum of 5000.
 Your committee further find that it is impracticable, if not impossible, to pro- cure any of the several other sites sug- gested for new police station as named in the report referred to, we believe that the site secured in the rear of the city hall property is entirely adequate for the pro- posed building for the police department for at least twenty-five years, affording ample room and accommodations in rooms and appointments for officers and men for force twice the present size, and supply cells and accommodations for prisoners beyond all that may be anticipated for that time.
 The fullest investigation has been had by your special committee with whom we had the honor to consult, and with them we herewith submit plans and specifca- tions of suitable building on the site named and already secured and ask your full examination thereof. We further more confidently report that the proposed building will not cost to exceed $11 ,OOO, which in allowing the estimate value of the old building with the land will consti- tute only a net expense to the city of S6,500 for new police station. Your committee therefore urge that in view of the fact that the present station has been practically condemned by your committee, public opinion, and by the press, and that it will as appears require so large sum to put the present building in proper condi- tion, that new building as submitted be erected, and that your honorable bodies should provide sums for the samesto be built. (Signed) N
 T. R. MARTIN,
 EDWARD RILEY.
 Councilman Williams moved that the report be accepted and the work ordered done.
 Councilman Barnes said that according to the records of 1885, the board of finance recommended the removal of the police station from Phoenix alley to the rear of the city hall, and the committee on public lands and buildings order plans for the same. "After three years of waiting the station is in the same condition without any improvement whatever being made. I walked in there unobserved the other day." he continued "and after weeks sunshine the walls were dripping wet. A light was lit there ats midday, so that might find my way. In the name of humanity let us have new police station. If any of you gentlemen should ever be unfortunate enough to spend night there you would have a clear case against the when in the interest of humanity and for the honor of the city, we ought to have g city prison fit to confne humanity in.'
 John Blair explained that the action o1 1885 was when the matter of altering the city hall was being agitated. While he agreed with MT Barnes that it was time to get new police station yet he could not see where there was room in the rear of the city hall.
 Clerk Martin said, "The matter of room has been fully canvassed. Not one of thu board of police commissioners has any ides that the proposed station would not ac commodate the city for the next twenty five years."
 
 to see new station if there was money te pay for it. He wanted the board to re member that vote taken first in the coun cil chamber was killed in the aldermani' chamber. He thought this board ought k wait and let the matter come before th aldermen first. Clerk Martin offered tn following votes:
 Voted, That the board of police com missioners be authorized and instructed to obtain detailed plans and specification for new police building to conform witl the plans presented by Architect R. w Hill, to advertise for bids for the erectio, of the same on the lot in the rear of tn City hall, and to report to the court o common council all contracts that shoul' be made, none of which however to b binding until accepted by the court o common council.
 Voted, That for the payment of tn costs the board of finance be authorizes to borrow money on the credit of the cit. until provision should be made in the tax ation of the year 1889.
 MT Martin explained that at least $6O must be spent immediately on the ol' station if a new one were not built Tn roof is leaking, the walls are falling down vrho irxoroot m tho 1,<,rrnvod rnOnev yvO1111