New Britain herald., 1915-07-22

keeping accounts in the Office Of the
board of public works 1t is impossible
to determine the cost of maintenance
of any separate automobile owned by
the city.
second-It does not appear as
though the board Of public works OBJ
served Section 275, page 195. of the
city charter This section provides
for a bill in detail before 1t Is paid.
Thirds near as we can asceI-
tain the cost of maintenance of the
cars used by the board or pupnc
works for eleven months is as follows:
Street department. Including
rented car Isl, 1S1.64
sewer department ........ 2s2.4G
Total $i,ss4.10
Fourth We find the city has paid
from cents to cents gallon more
Tor gasoline, 90 cents to 35 cents per
saiion more for oil, and $1.05 per
gallon more for denatured alcohol
than private individuals can buy the
same, and other articles in the same
proportion,
f1fth--Although the Ford cars are
warranted for one year, large sum
mas been expended upon the repair
OF Two cars and so far as we can
learn. no effort has been made to Sc
cure any assistance from the Ford
Motor, company to make good it's
guarantee. The total bill for repairs
is $244.
s1xth--As the board of public works
was lax in not having the depart
ments cars equipped with speedome-
tefs, your committee cannot report
accurately on the cost Of running per
mHear Ther city engineer made the
statement before your honorable body
mat the street department car COW
cred 20 miles per day, or 1880 miles
per year. Granted that this car was
driven about the city streets at the
rate or nfteen miles an hour the OF
ncial In charge Of street work, who
operated the machine, spent five
hours a day in riding around, leav-
ing him only four hours of his time
to the supervision of street work and
his many other important duties.
Seventh-The board of public
works admits an expenditure Of 8
cents per mile for each car. This
AMOUNTS to 1915 a day, or $1,125
per year for the cost of maintenance
OF the street department car.
we would recommend.
First-The passage of an ordinance
for the dismissal of any official or
employee, who uses the city cars for
his own personal use or profit.
Second-That the city provide a
garage where all it's cars except those
used by the first department can be
housed, the garage to be in charge of
a skilled mechanic, who would make
repairs on all cars owned by the city,
and who would be Authorized to as
certain and report where Materials
and supplies can be purchased to tire
best advantage.
Fourth-The attention of the board
of public works should be called to
the city charter and ordinances with
reference to the contracting OF bills
and they be hereby requested to gov
ern their acts accordingly.
Want Garage for Eight Cars.
After lengthy debate on the mat
ter the council voted to accept the
majority report.
Water Department Gets Car.
1t was voted to recommend the pur-
chase of Ford car for use of the
water department. at a cost of $3.50.
Councilman Paonessa spoke of the
need of such car, and stating that
the superintendent Of the department
has been foced to cover much ground
with horse and wagon
Salary Raise Discussed.
The salary raise for the clerk OF
the police and city court was brought
up by Alderman Anderson, who rec
al hof I~ ~
$1,000, and referred to the salary
committee. He suggested that a re-
cess be taken for five minutes, TO
allow the committee to take action
in the matter.
Councilman Curtis in speaking on
the matter said that the clerk should
be given the raise as under the pro-
visions Of the charter he was de-
prived Of the income deprived from
private practice. which he has to
abandon, and suggested that the COM
mittee bring in a recommendation at
the next meeting. He suggesed that
if the report was favorable it should
read that the salary be from July
first when the term of Office began.
Councilman Dolan raised the point
of where the money was coming from.
20 take it from the incidental
fund.-" said Councilman Conlon.
II guess you won't" said Council
man Dolan.
Alderman McCabe, said it was only
right that the clerk should get the
raise and that it should include the
time when the term OF Office began.
The motion to have the committee
report submitted at the next meeting
was PASSED,
Curtis Again.
Councilman Curtis questioned City
Engineer Hall, in regard to the man.
ner in which the contract for the
paving of Lafayette street was award
ed at the meeting of the board of