Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-22
BOARD or ALDERMEN
Ars Edna Santanna Was Heard on
 Question of DAmaSss.

Vice President George M Beach presided at the meeting of the alder men last night. It was short session. but before it came to a close few things were said on the question or salaries which looked like an apology for the methods resorted to by the board in the early stages Of its exist ence in getting around the charter to advance salaries.
 Mrs Edna Santanna of Lounsbury street was heard relative to claim for damages arising from the layout of that street. During the prelimlli- ary stages of the work Mrs Santanna supposed that the new grade would not have any appreciable effect on her house, but after the city got through filling in she found that her handsome block was buried several feet below the street and the only remedy now Is to raise it. The board didn't seem inclined to take the matter up aud Mrs Santanna left with little hope o1 relief. It has always been mystery how the bureau of assessment let that case go through without making pro vision to meet the expense incident to elevating the house, but the board ey- idently concluded that if the property owner made no claim for damage she was not entitled to any, but it is question if this is fair way to pass upon such matters. There should be an equitable adjustment of benefits and damages in all such cases, regard less of what the property owners think. The department of public works is of the opinion that the wo- man has a grievance, but it was al- lowed to reach point where they can not help her and she was advised to appeal to the aldermen. It is doubt ful If she made her case plain last night, but in brief 1t is as follows: When the street was being laid out she was led to believe that the grade would not injure her property and with this understanding she waived all claim for damages. The changes made puts her four or five feet below the street, and now she takes the ground she should not suffer on ac- count of the misunderstanding.
 The amendment to the police ordin- ance known as the healing act, regard ing the appointment of superintend- ent of police, was to be put upon It's final passage last night, but went over until the next meeting, MT Murray ob- jecting to immediate action.
 The peddlers' ordinance and the amendment to the fire ordinance were passed unanimously. Mir Hewitt said that the peddlers' ordinance would make so much additional labor for the clerk he thought he should get something for 1t and suggested that he be paid twenty-five per cent of the gross receipts from licenses issued to peddlers. This appeared to strike most of the members as being about right, but Mir Filling said it was get ting near election time ana that enough had been said about raising salaries by the present board. Besides that, he didn't like the idea of having q public official paid on the percentage plan. If the salary was not commen- surate with the labors he was willing to have it increased according to law, but he wanted no getting around' to evade a charter provision. City Clerk Nettleton explained that the present salary was fixed in 1896 and although 800 checks are made out now to the 40 issued at that time. more indexing has tO pc uOUt. anu III ldNl tht " VllNs Hfi around has more than doubled, still the compensation is the same as when the labor was lighter. He said it was not material to him whether the salary is increased or not, because he will re tire on January 1, but he should be pleased to see whoever succeeds him receive something for this additional labor and bother. The matter was fi- nallr referred to the law committee.
 The several recommendations of the department of public works were ap- proved and a few new petitions re ceived were suitably referred. includ- ing that of the Thomaston Tramway Co for approval of its plans for trolley rails in such portions of the streets of Waterbury as it will be necessary for them to use.
 The board spent some time acting on petitions for abatements.