Putnam patriot., 1910-05-06
Common Council.

Present, Aldermen pady, Carpenter, Joslyn, Haw kins, Brodeur, Miaer, Ls- rue and Bouihillette.
 The records of the previous meeting were read and placed on file.
 Bids were opened for supplying the drinking fountain with Ice water this summer. Davis .S Wilcox were the lowest bidders and they were awarded the contract.
 The only bid for carrying prisoners to jail was that of Geo. +. Helbfook and he was awarded the contract, s for the first man and g for each addi- iional man per trip.
 Permits were granted Victor Chap. ielaine for garage on Church street, NJ. F. Maynard te raise houses of John Jarvis and Joseph Carroll, one story, Church street; II. W. Thompson for piazza Woodstock avenue.
 Petition for crosswalk on Providence street between Farleyas and Marion $ stores, referred.
 Police report showed 20 arrests, of which 6 were sent to jail. One street light out one hour aud nine doors found open.
 Petition for light on Laurel street, referred.
 Voted that abutters be notified to re- pair defective sidewalks on or before July 10th.
 Voted te lay q eFosswalk on Pomfret street near canal, to extend enrbing near l.. NJ. keith's residence, Grove street, and to have Seward street sprinkled.
 The Highway committee reported that practically all of the abntters who peiitioned to have the streets sprinkled with oil had signed the second petition in which they agree to pay their sssess- ments for same. Voted that the High way committee be authorized to buy oil and use it upon the streets nccord- ing to the best judgment of the com- mittee wherever 1t can be used legally.
 The resignation of NJ. k. Joy as chief of the Fire department was read and accepted. The council went into exc cutive session and elected Mark II. Wilson chief and E. K. Smith first ass sistant !chief Of the department. MT. Joy also notitiad the council that here- after he did not care to furnish horses for the hose wagon.
 The resignation of Prosecuting Att torney J. K. Carpenter was read. Voted that action upon the resignation be de- ferred for the present meeting. Alderman Brodeur of the Fire com. miltee reported that repairs were need ed al fire headquarters, combination for drying hose and heater should be installed.
 The report of the committee on the public water works question submitted lengthy report as follows: To inc Mayor and Common Council of Me City of Ptstnam On January 18th. of this year, Mayor Archibald Macdonald, Aldermen John A. Dady, George A. Hawkins, Edward x. Joslin, pr. Omer LaRue and Mcssrs. B. D. Bugbee and J. F. Carpenter, were appointed by the Common Council n committee to negotiate . contract with the Putnam Water Company, with full power and authority to investigate the needs of the city in all respects in rela- ton to the Putnam Water Company, in the matter of fire protection and in the matter of both public and private waterrentals, and the supply of water for public and private uses, and the system Of piping within the streets of the city, and the necessary extension or notifications Of the same, and es- peciaily the requirements of the city as to hyrants fer fire protection with pro per pressure at all points, 10 be shown by recording gage properly located.
 Your committee has, in part, per formed its duties and begs leave to re- port as follows:
 In order to make thorough and careful investigation of the matters set forth in the vote appointing the com mittee, il wouide be absolutely neeessa- " for the committee to employ an ex- pert or experts to make the proper tests and to make thorough investigation of the whole system.
 Tests made by inspectors employed by insurance companies show that, in the opinion of the inspectors, for number Of years, the town of Putnam has not been furnished an adequate sup ply of water for fire purposes, and il seems that the weakness of the fire pro- lection is partially attributed so insult ficiency Of pumping capacity, partially to the small size Of the distribution mains, and in part to the fact that the amount of water consumed for domes- tic purposes has so rapidly increased that the water in the standpipe lowers very rapidly and during large part of the day when the pumps are not run- ming the town is without . sufficient pressure of water for even reasonable fire protection.
 The committee Is of the opinion that the Water Company has not lived up to it's contract with the city in that 1t has not given the city the head of water which the contract caiis for.
 The committee suggests that In any eyeEt the fire pressure ts not what b used to be. Some of tho m4mhers of