Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-06-15

The members of the court of COM
mon council held their first meeting on
Monday evening in the council cham
Der for organization. All were in at
tendance. the new members having
previously been sworn in.
At 8 o'clock, by direction of Mayor
Lippitt, Sheriff Benson escorted the
members to their seats, Alderman
Robinson continuing as senior alder
man. Upon all taking their seats,
Mayor Lippitt addressed them as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen:
You have been convened for the pur-
pose of organizing the court Of COM
mon council for the ensuing year and
getting into condition to transact bust
ness when the citizens shall have pass
ed upon the estimates and made the
appropriations for the various Depart
ments. Your finance committee care
fully considered the requirements as
presented by the several committees
and in every case, in the interest OF
economy, cut them down to what they
thought was the lowest figure for which
necessary results could be accomplish
ed at a rate of taxation they were will
ing to recommend. We hope the people
will give us what we have asked for
in each case, and I shall expect the
executive heads of the departments to
keep strictly within the several
amounts granted them.
If we are given less in any depart
ment than the sum deemed necessary,
we must simply stop work when it is
exhausted. In no case, except in some
unexpected emergency, will l consent
TO any other course. or even call
special city meeting except upon ur-
gent demand of the citizens.
For the first time in years we have
an entirely republican council. 1t can
not, however, be any pleasanter for me
than that of the past year, nor can 1t
be more non-partisan In the admins
tration of affairs.
We are here not as politicians but as
citizens, sworn to faithfully discharge
the duties devolving upon us accord
ing to our best skill and judgment,
and no other consideration than what
is for the best interest of the munici-
pality should be permitted.
Upon motion of Alderman Robinson.
the rules which governed the council
last year were adopted for this year,
and upon Alderman Stetson's motion
the finance committee was authorized
to issue certificates of indebtedness for
such amounts as necessary, the city
clerk was authorized to procure the
necessary stationery and have printed
fifty copies of the council, committees
and commissioners and it was voted that
the unfinished business from the past
year be referred to the same commit
tees this year.
Upon the motion Of Alderman Rob
inson, 1t was voted to place the city
printing this year with The Bulletin
company and that the binding of the
journal for the year 1910 go to w. R.
Cowan.
Mayor Lfppitt then announced the
standing committees for the year as
follows:
Finance-Mayor Lippitt, Alderman
Robinson, Councilman Hopkins.
Public Works-Alderman Stetson,
Councilmen Lester and Woodwork.
Fire Observation-Disclosures Ely,
Councilmen Hopkins and Slackledge.
Auditing ommittee-Aldernen Rob-
inson, Councilmen Geer and Worthing-
ton.
Police Commissioners - Alderman
Robinson. Councilmen Heath and Gil
bert.
Amusement Committee-Alderman
Whiting, Councilmen Worthington and
Geer.
For a member of the board Of wa
Alderman Stetson nominated Council
man Hugh Blackledge and he was
chosen unanimously He was a mem
Der of the board last year.
A. P. Dolbeare requested the re-
moval OF a tree b ythe roots in front
of his property at lis West Thames
street. 1t was referred to the tree
warden.
Edward Kirby and others asked for
an extra arc light on Union street.
1t was referred to the police commit
tee.
Joseph Swatzburg and 29 others
asked for a crosswalk in front of No
204 West Main street, and that a
grade for sidewalk be established
there. 1t was referred to the public
works committee.
Kate L. Backus asked for the estab-
lishment Of a grade for a sidewalk on
the southerly side Of Otis street from
Broadway easterly to the point where
the grade is already established. It
was referred to the public works COM
mittee.
The board of water commissioners
reported that 1t had purchased from
John w. and Margaret Stott land for
improvement at Meadow brook and
had the deeds. The cost was $sS25O
They also reported that work done by
Contractor Dodd had amounted to