Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-08
RECENT CRITICISM OF CITY
Mayor Murphy Answers Report Made Norwich Fire Pro- tection by Engineer Rowland = Disputes Assertions
 Made to Political Influence and Use of Undersized Water Mains-City's Business Transacted by Council.

Criticism of Norwich and it's fire lighting facilities as expressed in the report made on July 31. 1914, by En- gineer J. H. Rowland of the National Board of Fire Underwriters brought out a vigorous answer from Mayor T. C. Murphy in the common council meeting with a defense of what the city was doing along fire protection lines. The council backed up the mayors opinion by a unanimous vote and Clerk Stephen D. Moore was di- rected to inform Engineer Rowland of this action
 The meeting was called to order at 8 o'clock by the mayor and the roll call showed the absentees to be Alderman Dr. ". c. Mclaughlin and Councilmen A. B. Cruthers. William J. Kramer, J. J. Connolly and Hugh Kinder.
 cahoon Street Sidewalk Hearing.
 After Clerk Stephen D. Moore had read the call for the hearing on @ sidewalk grade on both sides of Ca hoon street the hearing was opened, put no one appeared to be heard. Mayor Murphy then declared the hear ing closed and the resolution establish Ing the grade was adopted.
 Alderman M. H. Hourigan for the public works committee reported that they advised that Charles Pardy and others be given leave to withdraw on their petition for the acceptance of HStCH avenue, ana LnaL-N1nG 5. Stefson also be given leave to with draw on petition for accepting Geer avenue. The report was accepted and the recommendation adopted,
 Mayor Murphy reported for the finance committee that they had met with the gas and electrical department and also with the water department and had learned from the gas depart ment that all accepted streets where there was not now gas might soon ex- peet to have it and that the water de- pertinent was also in a position to ex- tend water mains in accepted streets where there was no water, and that it proposes next year to lay a larger main in Thames street and on Water street.
 Petitions for Lights.
 A petition from the American Ther- mos Bottle company to have the city establish two bug lights on Therrnos avenue was referred to the police com missioners.
 A petition from the residents of Summit street and Spring Garden ave- nue asked for two lights there o1. to have light moved. This was signed by Frank Lowell and others. It was re1erred to the police commissioners.
 Jehn Crimmins and 15 others netf tioned for a bug light on Mt. Pleasant street between High and Summit streets. Referred to police commits sioners.
 Pay for shetucket Street Land.
 The sum of $12.15 to John A. Brady for a parcel of land on Shetucket street needed when the widening of the street vas made was voted to be paid to MT. Brady.
 For Chelsea Parade Walks.
 The selectmen's letter to the common council was read by the clerk. stating that 1t would cost sz00 to repair the walks around Chelsea Parade and s1- 5o0 Tor new granolithic walks and gut ters. They proposed to put the latter in the next warning for q. town -
 Mayor Murphy remarked that there were other walks that needed to he repaired and he thought they ought to be looked after. ~
 Alderman Henry Gebrath< stated that a number of walks had been IoolraS over lately and notices to. pronerfv owners had been sent out. He thought the city ought to make the repairs if ' tae property owners were diIatory and then collect from the property owners
 Letter on Fire Protection.
 A letter from B. P. Learned & ro so tne council spoke of letters which had been received from their strongest companies calling attention to a re- cent report on the Norwich fire and water situation by MT. Howland and asking that the common council I1o a1i that was possible to better the fire pro