Putnam patriot., 1912-01-05

1 the house of Ellen S. shaw. Intervale street westerly from Mechanics street | for distance sufficient to take in all i the houses on said street. 1 also re-
 commend the building of sewers on ! Laurel, Sunnyside and Eenner streets,
 as already voted by the common coun- cil The cost of the construction of all
 these sewers, as estimated by the En-
 gineer Of Sewers, would be less than
 one quarter of what has already been
 expended, and will make practically
 complete system of sewers for the
 thickly settled parts of the city,
 ORDINANCES
 In both my former messages, l re-
 commended that the ordinances of the city be colated and revised, but on ae- count of the fact that the city voted to
 build sewers and to install a water system, it has been deemed best that the matter of revision be taken up a
 little later so as to cover all questions including those connected with the sewer and water systems, and l re- commend that complete set of or dinances be enacted between now and early Spring.
 REVISION OF CHARTER
 It was found that the cost of re-
 vision of the charter would be con
 siderable amount and amendments
 were passed instead. The amendments
 provide for biennial elections and will
 save the city large expense, and a
 few minor amendments have been
 made which are technical in form, in
 relation to the layout of streets, in re-
 lation to water works, and In relation
 to the issuing of bonds, all of which
 believe will be of great advantage to
 the city. 1 much regret that it was found best at this time not to make a
 complete revision of the charter and |
 believe, as | have heretofore stated,
 that a complete revision should be
 made and that some method should be
 devised whereby the city and town
 governments can De consolidated and
 the cost of two sets of officers be avoid
 ed. Much money could be- saved, two
 taxing districts could be established,
 and this method has been tried out
 and has been found fair to both inside and out outside districts, and exceed ingly satisfactory and very economical, in several cities of our State.
 FIRE DEPARTMENT
 We are to be congratulated that there has been so little damage by fire during the past two years. l can sim ply say that 1 have had the full CO operation of the whole department from the Chief down. The members have proven themselves faithful and competent and our citizens may rest | assured that in case of emergency the l firemen will be efficient in the dis. charge of their duties. The city owes a debt of gratitude to the men who without personal gain to themselves are rendy to act in the protection of all | the property within the city against | fire, and we should fully appreciate | the courtesy and consideration of those who furnish horses at so great risk l for the use of the fire department. This 1 department above all others should be l furnished with what it needs and recommend the purchase of one thou
 sand feet of hose forthwith.
 POLICE FORGE
 The police force is department oi
 much importance to the good order of
 the city and the appointment of our police force should always be absolute ly without prejudice and free from pol.
 itics. All l can say is that from the Captain down the police force has co. operated with the Prosecuting Attor-
 ney in making every effort to preserve good order and at the same time to have as little publicity as possible in reg ard to criminal matters, and that in each and every instance where trouble could be cured the effort has been made to cure the trouble in quiet manner rather than to cause publicity.
 The people would be surprised to com pare the amount taken in by our city
 court and police force, in legitimate way, with the amounts taken In by | these departments of other cities Of l similar size in this State, and the cost of maintaining order and discipline in 1 the City of Putnam has been so care | fully managed as to reduce it to an l amount which Is unusually small. HEALTH DEPARTMENT
 | We are to be congratulated upon the l good health of our city as shown by | the report of our Health Officer, ana | there is no doubt that upon the com | pletion of our sewer system the city | will be one of the most healthful cities
 in the State, and l earnestly recom | mend that the sewer system be com pleted as rapidly as is possible.
 TINA SCEs
 We have in the last two years ex | pended good deal of money for sew. l CTS. We have also purchased crush | CT and engine complete, and roller, and have expended quite large amount ol | money in drainage and in the perma
 nent improvement of our streets, bui all of these expenditures have been fol
 the permanent improvement of oul city and are splendid investment. | Before closing this message, l wish to particularly call the attention of the | members of the common council and l the people to the condition of Elm street. Elm street is state highway and we have the explicit promise oi l the Highway Commissioner Of this I State that the same will be put in | a proper condition. The sewers have been laid on the main part of Elm
 street and it is splendidly drained, but l in wet weather it has very muddy | surface. l recommend and earnestly desire that all of the people owning property on Elm street shall so soon at ] possible make connections with the public sewer and that the whole length l of Elm street be so fixed that the High, way tOfflluiHSio1Sl ol thls lobatc VII gladly carry out bis suggestions and
 pave all the gntters and put the road way in a condition which will make Elm street at all times dry, pleasant street. When this is once done by the Highway Commissioner, We will prob ably learn the best method to continue l the improvement up through the pub lie street to the station, and these i'm | proyements when made will be of very | great value and comfort to the citizens ! of this city.
 Finally, 1 wish to thank the mem 1 bers of the common council, the corpo ration counsel, and all the good citi