Putnam patriot., 1915-01-15
PUTNAM'S RECORD
City Progresses in 1914
A Few Important Developments

MaNOf ATcDlDalu MAcuODalu, electeu representative to the General Assem-. bly, did not prepare any annual mes- sage to be read at the annual meeting of the Common Council. However, Putnam has not been standing still the past year. Although no such im- portant undertakings were consumma- ted as during the previous year when the sewer system was completed and the city took over the plant of the Put nam Water Company, yet there were steps taken that puts Putnam further to the front than she was al the open- ing of the past year.
 Perhaps the most important step ta- ken during 1914 was the bonding the greater part of the city's debt. The deal was consummated just in the nick of time. A month later probably the bonds could not have been sold. The ciiy's indebtedness was represent ed by notes, some bearing and some , 12 per cent on short time and con stant renewals. The bonds issued by the city amounted to S350,0 900 of which S250,C00 were for the water works and SI00,000 for general indebtedness. These bonds bear interest at the rate of 414 per cent and are dated September lst, 1914. They are payable 5000 thereof on the first day of September of the years 1920 to 1859 inclusive. The interest is payable semi-annually. The issue was sold at a premium of over $500, which covered the expense of the issue. It is estimated that the city is now saving over S4,000 on it's interest account.
 The road from Woodstock avenue to the Woodstock town line has been im- proved and is now maeadamized. This is much travelled thoroughfare to and from the city on the west and tends to bring to Putnam more people and to bring them oftener than hereto fore. It was the last rem aiming link connecting with the more thickly set tied surrounding country on all sides.
 The water department has acquired an unlimited right to the use of water from the Little River by the eXpendi ture of approximately S4,0O0. Flowage rights were owned by the late George M Morse and the administrator of the estate alleged that the city was en- cToaehing upon these rights by the use of more water than it was entitled to which, upon investigation by city off cials was found to be true. This mat ter has now been definitely settled for all lime.
 The city purchased at an approXi- mate cost of 5000 motor-driven fire truck. The machine is due to arrive in few days. It is believed that this piece of apparatus will ray for itself in few years in property that will be saved by quick run to fires. Put nam's volunteer department has al- ways been handicapped in this respect by having to wait the arrival of hors- es after an alarm was sounded ,thereby losing much valuable time which al- lowed fires to get under considerable headway before the men arrived at the scene.
 The water department has shown that municipally owned it is money making proposition for the city.
 A piece of amieite roadway was put in in the business section from Pom- fret and Front streets to Union street making great improvement in the shopping district.
 The health of the city has been ex- celeut the past year and it has seen no epidemic and contagious diseases have been scattering cases. The sewer system has been the means of having outhouses and vaults removed and the general conditions were the best ever The water supply is excellent all of the drinking water being filtered, The mayor in his annual message in Janu- ary, 1914, urged the council to safe guard the city's treasury and keep down the debt as much as possible by only voting for improvements that were imperative, and the year has been one of conservatism, but notwith- standing that, Putnam has advanced and is farther to the front as a pro- gressive, up o-date, well managed city than il was at the beginning Of l9l4.1 
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