Putnam patriot., 1914-01-09

tive as a residential and industrial home. Today We have an excellent sewer system, a municipal water plant. municipal building, our main business streets paved for a good DOT tion of their length. and with one or wo exceptions, most excellent high~ ways leading from all the surrounding towns to this, their natural business center. These improvements have not been without cost, without labor or the part of your Council and city off eials, nor without opposition, but congratulate you, gentlemen, upon the manner in which the voters of the City of Putnam have shown their ap- preciation of the work done by you by re-electing, without an exception, ey- cry member of your body for the eu- suing term of two years from today.
 This Is one of the most important departments of our city government and undoubtedly the oae which always requires the most attention. The amount of business which Putnam draws from the surrounding towns Is. in my opinion, in direct proportion to the condition of the highways over which such business must pass to reach our city, and the condition of the streets NSithin the city.
 The last year has seen the tremend- nus improvement in Elm street, by paving that thoroughfare from May street southerly to Union street. and like improvement from the foot of the hill on Front street to the bridge on Pomfret street. and also the open- ing of the new road, outside of the city limits, to Rhode Island. The State Highway Department has done a great thing for us in helping us to solve the great problem of what to do with Elm street. to get rid of the al- most perpetual mud, and l think tho problem has been successfully solved.
 l strongly urge you, gentlemen, and especially do make the recommends tien to those of you who will consti- tute the Highway Committee for tho next year, to continue the good work done along this line and from what ever money may be expended by th0. City for highway Improvements. hrnt| of all pave Main street and the Ptih. lie Square from Union street, where the pavement now ends, to the south line of Union Square. The highway to the east lately completed by tho State. 1t being trunk line, is another link in the chain of good roads which secures the business of the surround- ing towns to this city; and the rebuiid- ing of this road leaves but one princi- pal Ll.hway which badly needs to be rebuilt, and this one is, perhaps, the most used of any highway leading to Putnam, that is Woodstock avenue. ask the city officials to give this mat ter their early attention and endeavor to get the State Highway Commis- sioner to make this a connecting road between the trunk line passing from Pomfret through Woodstock, and the one leading through Putnam. and State highway as 1t should be; and If this cannot be done, strongly advocate the repair of this street by the city as soon as 1t can be done.
 Comparing our streets and high ways with what they were few years ago. Putnam has a good reason for pride, and great deal of credit is due to the members of this Council who have served upon the Highway Con- mittee during the past two years.
 FIRE DEPARTMENT
 In reference to this department 1t is only necessary to say that the Fire Department has done as well as usual No praise can be higher. Since the cause of certain incendiary fires were removed by the efficient action of the State and local officers, we have had very few fires, and those mostly small ones. The most we can do is to urge the members of our department to keep up the good work.
 poIicE nrpApTMENr
 The report of the Captain of Police hows that the Department is keep ing up it's good work in it's new quar- ters. During the two years just past there have been fewer arrests than during any like period since the insti- tuition of the City. The officers, pros ecuting attorney and city court have worked in harmony, and the city has been unusually free from crime, though some of the offenses have been of greater magnitude and have at. tracted more attention than in other years.
 HEALTH DEPARTMENT
 In regard to this department. 1t is sufficient to say that the health of the people of Putnam has been normal. Favored with natural advantages. with competent health officer, and an efficient sewer system 1t should re- main so. There have been sporadic cases of smallpox, diphtheria and per haps other contagious diseases. but they have been cared for in such a manner as to prevent a spread of the disease. The milk inspector deserves great deal of credit for the efficient manner in which he performs his du- ties. and with him lon the job" as hs has been in the past, we need have no fears in this direction.
 It would please me very much if all the members appointed of the Board of Health will accept the appointment and will have regular meetings, with an organization, looking for the well fare of our city, to aid and assist the
 edith officer in the performances of his duties in such manner that all of the work, which has been recently in- creased. will not fall upon one man and with that end in view, 1 suggest that the health officer call < meeting of the Board as soon as possibsc af. ter the appointments are made for such organization.
 CHARTER AND oRplNANcGo
 Tn addition to the few minor chnnG- es which I have suggcsted that Ho