Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-14
PUBLIC WORKS BoA1D.
Question of Salaries Ends With In
 crease for One Man.

0uebtlOu OI ohlaTleb EQQS Wltn ln-
 crease for One Man.
 The board of public works held a
 meeting last night, Mayor Thoms presiding and all the members being present.
 The question of salaries was the principal subject and James R.
 Walker, the assistant plumbing in- spector, came out or the mix-up with
 an increase of half a dollar day, this being in accordance with re- commendation of City Engineer Cairns. The matter was taken from the table on motion of MT Finn, who said few words in favor of adding a little to the pay of the assistant janitOr, who receives but $9 a week for seven days work. All agreed that this was not sufficient remuner- ation, but MT Dennfson contended and was supported by Mir Walker that the total amount, paid for the care of the hall, something in the neighborhOod of $1,6OO per year, is enough, too much, he thought, ada ing that be would agree to get the work done in a most satisfactory manner for SIS week. During the discussion Comptroller Russell was called in and asked if he thought one man could do all the work, but the comptroller's view of the case didn't help the low salary advocates. MT Hartnett said that he was stopped on the street and told that the woman who comes in to do dusting up, cleans the cuspidors MT Russell said he didn't know anything about that. All he could say was that that class of work is done before of flee hours in the morning. MT Wall ker said the sum total paid was large enough, but he thought there was some inequality in dividing it up and suggested that the whole mat ter be referred to the comptroller for investigation and recommendation
 The recommendation of City Clerk Sandland that the wages of George il. Byrnes, clerk in the water de- pertinent, be advanced from $3.50 a day to $3.75, and that of John How ard from $2.76 to $3 was then taken h ished reading the communication, Commissioner Nell remarked that this was big pay for making out bills when Mayor Thoms came to the res cue with the remark that MT Byrnes is very valuable, competent man, but he thought recommendation of this sort should come frcm the su- peTntendent of the wat r depart ment
 City Engineer Cairns recommends tion with reference to an increase for MT Walker was then read, and there- upon MT Walker inquired what plumber gets in Waterbury.
 Forty cents an hour" replied the mayor.
 T know" chimed in Mr Denni- son, where this man has been of-~ ferea $3.50 and don't see any req son why he shouldn't get it from the city. 1 move that the recommends tion be adopted. MT Walker sec onded the motion and being put by the chair it was carried without a dissenting voice, and thus ended the salary question for the present.
 A big delegation was present from Hill street and talked about the need of working that street from Cassidy avenue to Hotchkiss street. This and the matter of grading Dikeman street was referred to the commit tee on streets. Similar action was taken on application of, David Stein regarding surface water on Fairview street. On recommendation of the committee on lights, Commissioners Finn and DenRison, the following pe- titions for electric lights were favor ably reported to the aldermen. One on Sylvan avenue, north of the resi- dence of Michael McGrath; one at Junction of Falls avenue and Water- town road; one on Highland avenue, between Oak Hill and Ledgeside ave- nue; one on Cooke street, between North Main and Grove streets; change the incandescent light on Riverside street to a full arc light.
 There were several other peti- tions for lights in the outside dis trict before the committee, but it ap- pears that it was case of first come, first served, and as consequence nearly all of them went to the north end and Waterville. In any case the appropriation is now exhausted and no more can be installed this year unless a special, appropriation is made for that purpose.
 The Robbins street matter was set down for a hearing on March 27. On the same evening parties interested in the laying of sewer assessments in portions of Highland avenue, North Vine and North Main streets and Plaza avenue will be given a hear ing. The engineer reported that 1t will cost s1,525 to grade Avon ave nue and s2.600 to work Dikeman street. The engineer also submitted a communication stating that his at- tention had been called to the bridge at Platt's Mills and the one on Lib 1 srty street, which are said to need l The board asked the en- yineer to submit an estimate of the | cost. The matter of water connec- | ions and change of manholes aud sewer basins. incident to railroad changes, was referred to the super | of water and the city en-