Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-16
QUESTION OF AUTHORITY.
Board of Public Works Had a Lively
 Meeting Last Night.

Meeting Last Night.
 The board of public works held a meeting yesterday afternoon and transacted considerable business. Mayor Elton presided and all the members were present with the ex- ception of Mir Goss.
 Property owners on West Main street from the old city line to Grand view were called and heard relative to laying the sidewalks between these points. With the exception of Will liam Neville, nobody said much in fa- vor of the project. Mir Neville and MT Schneider gave the bureau of assess ment few whaclSs which would go long way toward breaking its back were it not good republican body, and even at that it would have made Messrs Spencer, Filling and Kaiser squirm had they been there and listen ed to what was said about the award Of benefits and damages arising from the layout of that street. MT Neville claimed that politics entered into his case with the result that he has to pay a good deal for something he does not want and Mir Schneider said that he was charged $25O for something which a neighbor received for $25. George CoHnor took some of the sting out of what was alleged by informing the board that If the people had to pay they got land in return for their mon- ey. No action was taken on the mat ter, but 1t is probable that the work will be ordered done as far as Kala- maZoo avenue.
 The matter of grading Lounsbury street was referred to MT Cairns for investigation and report. The mayor was authorized to purchase q new road doller.
 A communication was read from City Clerk Nettleton regarding rebates on water rents. It stated that several persons had stated to him that they had no water service at different times during the past six months and wanted to know If they would be obliged to pay regular rates. The clerk desired information on the question from the board. This reused the ire of Superintendent Johnson of the bureau of water, who inquired what the city clerk. had to do with such matters, anyway, so long as he was superintendent of water. He con- sidered it crowding in and interfering with his business, adding that he, and not the city clerk, was next to the board.
 Mir Reeves, who was acting as clerk, replied that the communication came from the clerk, who was acting in ac- cordance with the usual custom, and sS far as he knew, pursuing his duties as the charter provides. "He is clerk of this board" said MT Reeves, 'and all communications intended for this board, should come to him by right MT Johnson didn't look at it this way and contended that he and not the clerk, should have called attention to that matter and added that this was question he intended to bring up himself He also stated that the l clerk has no right to issue permits fol water connections unless the super. intendent first certifies that they are all right. MT Wade looked at the matter from Mir Johnson's standpoint but the others appeared non-commital and the mayor evidently thinking that ! big storm was brewing poured oil on the turbulent waters by suggesting | that the communication De referred tC MT Johnson for investigation and re port A vote to this effect was passedl | When the payrolls were being ap' proved something was said about read l ing meters MT Wade inquired if il were necessary to have two men al this business, to which MT Johnson re piled, No" and modestly suggested that the board decide whether or not he was charged with the hiring of al the help in the department. This whole matter was referred to com mittee consisting of the mayor anG Commissioner Jackson.
 "Wouldn't 1t be well to ask a few questions of the head Of this depart ment?'' remarked MT Jackson, handing the payroll of the bureau of engineer ing to MT Wade.
 "There is man who runs his de partment from A to Z," chimed in Nil Johnson, ''and nobody monkeys witt him..
 The payroll was approved wfthou whimper showing thereby that tht superintendent of water knows Il thing or two.
 Another feature of the meeting wa! the expression of opinion regarding rates which held out scant comfort tt those who claim that the large wate consumers ought to be treated better than they have been. This was in troduced by report from MT Jackson on the application from Jones, Morgan & Co.,. asking that their water rent! ltDG EGluGTCu dS OIlc DiIl IISlSdU 0l LWO MT Johnson said that the condition! in the petitioners block were exactly l the same as in the Camp and Hasst buildings where the readings of th' meters are added together ant rendered as one bill. The order to dt this was issued sometime in 1S97''
 MT Johnson said, but there was nt record of It. A similar vote was passed in the same year with refer ence to the Scovill Manufacturing Go
 "Do you know anything about these cases," inquired the mayor addressing Reporter Scully, who was member of the preceding board.
 "No, your Honor" said the former commissioner, I was not a member O. the board at the time The change. MT Johnson has called your attention to were made under MT Barlow board" +..
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