Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-15

accomplished could not have b.esen car ried through, all party differeINc es be. ing eliminated. Under subdivisions of his massage. Mayor Macdonald considered the work done in various departments during. the year, extracts being as foiloFvss Highway Department. Nothing is more essential tof the dition of the avenues of ingress s-and egress to all surrounding townsS Of which Putnam is a natural bush pess center. Last year the state made lfeW trunk lines leading to our city tnd we have met. them with work dc Vae within the city. We have construct e'd a large amount Of macadam h1ghWa y- Other sections need attention, how N ever, and immediately, especially Main and Elm streets and Front street from. the Wheaton property to the bridge on Pomfret street, also the square. It has seemed better to leave this inn prove1nent work until after the con strucfion of the sewer system. a task now completed.
 lished on many streets during 1912. sidewalks built and repaired and much curbing placed I am >gratifed at the work done by the highway department and hope that 1t will be continued as soon as the weather is suitable.
 Water Department.
 Congratulations that the city owns It's own water plant the first muni- cipally owned public utility in this city. I expect much good from it. 1 believe 1t was obtained at, a reason able figure and that it will become a 1 source of revenue. I also believe that ! Putnam well got an improved service. |
 believe that we have an efficient ; board of water commissioners and feel ! confident that the management of the | plant is in very capable hands. I realize that the commission will have ! much work to do and that it will have l 10 be .recompensed for the valuable 1 service rendered. The city charter | should have a clause empowering the i city to fix the salary of members of | the commission. so that the council 1 II It saw lit, might vote to do so. I be- 1 HeVe that the ownership of the water ] plant will prove to be one of the most ! the city has taken.
 Sewers.
 I am thankfnuI and rejoice at the i completfon of our sewer system dur ! lns the past year. The citizens by | generous appropriations have made l this fine work possible. The sewer 1 committee did it's big work in a pains taking way and economically, giving up l much Of their time to the project. 1 Appreciation is also due for the bigh class service given by the city engineer | am proud that the work is accom- plished.
 The citizens have been prompt in making connections with the system i, and the work is still going on. A committee has been appointed to make the assessments, a task that is diff hcult and trying one, but I feel that | It will be completed with fairness.
 Charter and Ordinances.
 I am convinced of the need of i'm mediate consideration of revising the city charter and ordinances, and hope that at the present session of the {. legislature this matter will be carried There are several needed powers that are not granted by the charter and the ownership of the water works and sewer systems have made further powers imperat tive.
 l believe in a commission ss--e of government and advocate it. 1 strong ly urge it for Putnam. I think the citizens should get together and con sIder this very important matter The l time has come when the duties of the city officers are so arduous that I l believe they should receive pay for work that they do whether the pres snt form of government is changed or not It might be better to defer re- vision of the city ordinances until af- ter the charter has been revised.
 Fire Department.
 have only connendation and praise for the fire department. Putnam has ] volunteer department second to none The cit yhas recently been through a lstrous fire in it's history. Excellent 1 work was done by the department against the confagration and in the sace of great odds it was confined to | l restricted area. The Danielson and W ebSter departments are entitled to great credit for the assistance they gave on this occasion. The general