New Britain herald., 1917-05-17

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 ,s.s33.ooo.oo
 Sinking Funds.
 Water bonds .......... 212.3S3.66 Sewer bonds ...........> 1s4.630.83 Street bonds ..,........ 20.SAo.34 Park bonds ............ 6b,4]3.17 School bonds .......... 8,ee7.6O Municipal building bonds S.bss.37
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 : 53o. .344.2s Net indebtedness "a. 2s1. .7S6.66
 Beard ol Pubaic Works.
 The work of. this department this year will be curtailed to great ex- tent by Its limited appropriation.
 It is to be regretted that Park street could not be permanently paved this year but 1t was not deemed wisa to, do this work on account of the high cost of material. labor and war con- ditions.
 During the year 1916 this depart. ment added many miles of improved streets to the city. also improved to . great extent the street lighting sys- tenn. The most important work done by this department during the year was the paying of Elm street from Park street to East Main street. This work wns completed within the ap- propriation paying approximately $6,- 900 to tho city.
 The general work of the board and tho city engineer is worthy of much praise; our citizens must however req Ike that 1t iS difficult to accomplish all the work demanded by the growth of the city with the limited appropria- ton allowed this department.
 Police Department.
 This important department has in- creased in marked efdciency during the past year. Many additional men have been added to the department. our city Is well policed and tho per sonnel of the department 10 second to none in the state.
 |. The working of this department at the time of the incendiary fires in Feb- ruary h worthy of much praise. In fact, throughout the entire year the work of this department has met with the approbataon of the citizens of the city. Under the now charter changes this department will be placed under . police commassaop which will, no doubt. work to the advantage of tho department. There is one matter which wish to bring to the attention of your hon. orable body in connection with the police department. its inadequate quarters.
 A year ago suggested In my mes- sage that the Burritt School be used by the police department when 1t had been abandoned for school purposes, The building on Commercial street | occupied by the police department. nre department, city and police courts will either have to be enlarged at ] considerable expense or abandoned by one of the departments.
 The building Is overcrowded and noisy and 1t. is almost impossible on account of the noise from the ratl- road nearby to hold court. Tho spending of any considerable amount of money on this building in view of the surroundings Is not ad- visable. and would therefore recom- mend to you that you consider the advisability of giving over this entire building to tho fire department and l locating the police department. city and police court in the old Burrttt school. Fire Department. would recommend to your atten- ton the report of the board of public 1 safety on the ire department. The report contains many recom- mendations of merit which should be carefully considered by your honor able body.
 The work of this department dur 1 ing the past year has been very enl- cient, many dimcult situations have 1 confronted the onicials and men, ! which were met with prompt, keen judgment. l The ehiciency of the department ! was proven during the ancendiary 1 fires on February Fist. There was no confusion. orders were given rapidly by the officers and were car ried out with coolness, courage and | judgment by the men.
 The assistance rendered by the town of Plainville and the cities of l hartford, Waterbury and Bristol on inc night of February 21st was gratefully appreciated by our citizens.
 finder the recent charter change tha management of this department l u,,1l he placed under a fire commission which believe will be productive ot much good.
 Water Department.
 This department will have an- nortant recommendations to make l this wear to your honorable body re- sarding the building of the tunnel