Putnam patriot., 1913-01-17
Common Council

BouthilIette. It being the first meet ing of the new year the mayors an. nual message and reports of heads of departments were read.
 MAYORS MESSAGE
 Gentlemen of the Common Council:
 Having concluded another year as the administrative body of the city, a most important year by the way, we have now assembled for the initial meeting of the new year. Our body has remained intact throughout the year with the exception of our esteem ed and beloved member, Alderman J. Clinton Nichols, Republican member from ward ,, whom the Almighty in His infinite wisdom has seen fit to re- move from our midst. l know that every one of you, gentlemen will unite with me in expressing sincere sorrow at our great loss, Alderman Nichols was a gentleman of high at tainments. He was an honest, con scientious, and efficient member of this council; an upright, honorable man, who gave careful consideration to all questions and was always ready and willing to assume any burden or re- sponsibility imposed upon him. He was gentleman, considerate of the feelings of others, and always ready with a eheery word of encouragement. We have lost valued member and friend, and the city has lost valuable and faithful servant.
 Gentlemen, first wish to express my pleasure at the amount and the importance of the work accomplished in the past year. It has been history making epoch for the city. We have carried to successful termination sev- eral unusually important undettak- ings, undertakings of first importance to every citizen, as they touch and con- cern the health and welfare of the whole community. 1 will allude to them later.
 l wish to thank you gentlemen for the support you have given me. With out that support none of these import ant measures could have been accom- plished. l wish to also thank you for the courtesy you have shown me and encouragement you have given me. l requested you year ago to eliminate all party feeling and differences and to carry out the duty of your office for the best interest of the city as its public servants. You have done this, gentle men, and not only thank you per- sonally, but also on behalf of the citi- zens of Putnam, whom you have serv- ed so faithfully, for so doing.
 l believe that we enter upon this new year the same unanimous, harmo- nious body, working and striving only for the best interests of the city as we see them, with a feeling that we have had the hearty support of the citizens for the work we have accomplished and will have their continued support in the work to be accomplished. l be- lieve that we may at least feel satisfied in our own minds that we have given our best efforts and have striven to serve faithfully and we'll. feel 1t my duty at this time to touch lightly up on the different departments of the city government as it has always been customary to do at the first meeting in the year, dut 1 shall endeavor to be brief.
 HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
 As I have stated before in my annu- al messages, to my mind nothing is more essential to the welfare and pros- ity of the city than good highways. They are the avenues of ingress and egress ofitrade from the surrounding towns and villages of which Putnam is the natural business center. It is our duty to maintain good streets to induce those from the outlying sec tions to come to the city and to come often. The state has made new trunk lines reaching to our borders, and even within, and we have met them and carried the work onwards to the busi- nesscenter. We have constructed great many feet of macadam road and have done 1t at a figure far below what it would have cost to have had the same work done by contract. This was made possible by owning our own road roller and stone crusher. The work was carried on right up to cold weather and will be resumed in the spring. There are certain sections that need immediate attention and l hope the citizens will give the matter their careful and thoughtful consider ation so that when the necessary ap propriation to carry on the work is asked for, they will realize the necessi- ty for it, and respond in their hereto fore generous spirit. Elm street and lain street are in immediate need of consideration. Also the Square, and the street from Wheaton's shop wester- ly to the bridge over the river on Pomfret street. These are some of the busiest thoroughfares in the city and are not at present in proper condition. I recommend that this matter be talk en up in the very near future. Many streets that have needed attention have been allowed to remain in their condition owing to the construction of sewers. It would not have been wise or economical to have repaired these streets and then have them torn up again when the sewer was put in. Now that the sewers have been in- stalled this obstacle has been removed, and the work which was postponed can be undertaken. Lines and grades on many streets have been established as the sewer work progressed. Side- walks have been constructed and ire- paired and curbing and crosswalks laid. am gratified at the work done by the highway department, and l hope, with the aid and encouragement of the citizens, that it may be contin- ed as soon as the weather becomes fa- vorable.
 WATER SUPPLY
 The city is to be congratulated that it now owns it's own water supply, plant and equipment. It is our first municipally-owned public utility, and I expect great things of it. 1 believe we obtained the plant of the Putnam W ater Company at reasonable figure and believe thatit will become source of revenue for the city. 1 also believe, that, municipally owned and controll- ed, better service will be had and even tually lower water rates. l believe we have an efficient board of water com missioners and feel confident that the management of the plant is in capable hands. I realize that the members of the board will have a great amount Of work to do and I think the time will