Putnam patriot., 1916-09-22
COMMON COUNCIL
Adjourned Meeting lOtes Lay Out Oi
 Streets
Matter of All Night Lighting System and
 Collection of Back Taxes Discussed

mon council relative to the acceptance of certain streets in the etty WAS held Monday evening. All were present ex- eept Aldermen Byrne and BeausolieL
 It was voted to lay out Van den Noort. Milton, yandale. South Meadow, Canal. Jefferson, Lincoln, Middle and Ravine streets. tThe layout as ad- vertised appears in another column)
 In regard to these streets which the city proposes to accept Alderman John son of the highway committee stated that some of them were not yet in proper condition but work is being done on them and he. has assurances that they will be put in the condition the city requires before acceptance may be had.
 The mayor addressed the council stating that some time previous the council passed a vote that the mayor proceed to collect back taxes due the city. T am not the tax collector said the mayor, T hold no legal war rant to collect taxes. The city tax col lector is the only officer empowered te collect these taxes and 1 would be out of my province and usurping his jurisdiction if l undertook to carry out the direction of the council by taking the matter in my hands. l therefore refuse to go any further with the mat ter l think 1t would be proper to au- thorize the collector to go ahead and matter for the tax collector and for no other person or officer and that would get into trouble if l undertook the mat ter us I have no legal right to make tax collections. l am willing and ready to do my duty at all times but for the reasons given I must decline to act further in this regard"
 Later in the meeting the matter was again brought up by Aldermen Davis who stated that the situation regard ing uneollectea taxes ought u be taken up and met fairly and sqaarely. He said the matter had been put off and put of and the city had gone on paying interest on borrowed money because some of the citizens do not pay their taxes aThe time has come to do something" said Alderman Davis, and l move that the tax collector be lu- strueted 10 take che necessary lega means to colleet all back taxes and en- force the law reear4las the sames
 eDoes this Include sewer tuAes2s asked Alderman Johnson.
 eIt includes all back taxes of every kind due the city, said Alderman Davis.
 After most of the council had ex- pressed themselves as heartily in favor of the motion the motion was unani- mously carried
 The mayor said that the matter of an all-night lighting system had been brought to his attention by several prominent citizens. He said that he understood that all night service every night in the year regardless of the vaearies of the moon, could be had for s90O additional expense. This at least was the proposition made by the com pany some time ago T think on ac- count of the interest in the matter shown by the citizens that the council at least ought to give the matter con- slderation. One or two breaks have occurred and with a better lighting system such things might be ayerted and the citizens feel more assured of the safety of their property. l wish to go on record as at least fayoring the consideration of an all night system by the council"
 The matter was referred to the electric light committee to investigate and report at the regular meeting in November.
 An invitation for the council to par ticipate in the observance of Columbus Day. October 12th, was received from Charles Bove and accepted. Automo- piles will be furnished for the members and they will review the parade. II was voted to buy 10 barrels of asphalt of the Pierson Engineering & Construction company at sIs cents per gallon. The material Is for immediate use in finishing the east end of Provi- dence street and is now in Putnam. The meeting then adjourned