Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-10

An eleven mill city tax which will raise s146, 465.63 on the citys grand list of $13,515.05S. was laid on Tuesday evening in the annual city meeting in the town hall which had an attend ance of about 100 men, when Mayor T. c. Murphy called it to order shortly after 8 o'clock. Within a few minutes after the meeting opened this number had been increased by about 50 men,
 The tax laid is one mill more than the common council had recommended and is one-Quarter of @ mill more than the city tax of last year. Of the amounts in estimated expenses rec commended by the common council all were voted and one was increased by 1,500. This was the appropriation for fire department which was raised by the meeting from S34,50 to $36,- 900.
 Of the extras which were included in the call for the meeting and which totalled s53,127 in fifteen items, only five were voted. These totalled s11,- 298.
 After Mayor Murphy had called the meeting to order and the call had been read by City Clerk Stephen D. Moore, the estimates were taken up separate ly on motion of Corporation Counsel Joseph T. Tanning
 As the various items were brought up Mayor Murphy had the last year figures at hand. usually giving the fig ures for each year as the items came up in order.
 The first was for S320O0 for ordi- nary repairs. last year s33, GOO.
 Wanted Ordinary Repairs Cut.
 Frank T Comstocl1 asked what the appropriation was two years ago and was told it was 29.000. He said he understood the extra money was for the side streets and he thought these could wait a year, while something to amended the amount to S29.000, but 1t was not seconded. Samuel Crooks of Oak street spoke for the side streets saying that they had to pay taxes and were choking with dust while the main streets were being watered. The S32,e90 was voted.
 The item of outside work. sy,0O0. was opposed by Samuel Crooks, who amended to make it $500.
 Alderman NJ. H. Hourigan explained that s3,e00 would be received back for this outside work and the mayor and Alderman Gebrath also said that that s1, 500 had been appropriated for outside work and s1,s0Q had been re- ceived back in this department. MT. Tanning asked for an explanation of amendment was lost and the original amount voted.
 Nc Opposition to These.
 The following amounts as recom- mended were voted without comment:
 Garbage and ashes S700O. last year $6,500; sewers and catch basins s2, 300, same as last year; mscadam repairs s7.5o0. last year s6,o00; oiling and sprinkline s7,o0O, last year s6,500 parks and trees s2.O00, last year si,500: widening Water and Shetucket streets. unexpended balance s462; re- laying Yantic street sewer, $640: new Thames street sewer. s2SO; department of cemeteries, T.500. same as last year.
 Increase for Fire Department.
 When the appropriation of S34 5O0 for the fire department, which last year received s32,000. Alderman Thomas H. Beckley, who has been chairman # the fire commissioners, made an ex- planation of the reasons why the ad- vance was asked. He said that the fire commissioners had asked for s36 coo, which the finance committee had cut down to S34, 800. He said that the men were asking for an increase Tn pay which would mean about $3,000 more in the expenses of the depart ment over last years payroll. They want to be put on a par with the policcmen's pay. Alderman BeckIey went through the estimates and ex- penditures last year, showing how each expenditure had been within the amount estimated for it, although sometimes by a margin of cents. If we get the s34,500. he said. we will deal fairly with the men, but if we get the $36,000 we will increase the wages more nearly to the schedule of the policemen.
 Former Councilman John H. Ryan seconded the motion, and Edward T. Burke moved to amend the amount to S36, GOO. John H. Russell spoke Tn favor of the increase. as did Mir Burke same basis as the policemen. Mir. Burke spoke of the long hours of tho firemen and described how one man lost his fingers which were frozen to the line of hose at the Marguerite fire and how the Falls company had to walk to the Swedish church fire be- cause 1t was dangerous to drive
 Albert Boardman seconded the amendment with the understanding that increase in pay be made. This proviso brought forth applause w. w. Beckwith spoke for the SSS, 900, and 1t was voted with two voices crying 'No!"
 Appropriations Voted.
 These department estimates were voted without remark: Police depart ment. salaries and expenses. s2f,945, same as last year; city court, $3,s10, same as last year; street lighting, s19,- 900, same as last year: health depart ment. Sl,500. same as last yeari gas and electrical department, $143, coo last year s1s5,0oo; interest on s4oo, 900 bonds, s20, ,000 park department, $5,- GOO, last year S4,500.
 In Finance Department.
 In the finance department the fol-