Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-20
DR. SEAMAN REMOVED FROM OFFICE
a. Been Unfaithul Discharge of His Duties City Milk Inspector Is Alleged in Charges Outlined in Finding Presented to Common Council by Mayor Brown-AL bert C. Freeman. M D., Appointed es His Successor Many New Sde,vals Are Ordered and Hearing Set for April 2

l the office declared vacant by Mayer Allyn l.. Brown. Such was the an- | the special council meeting held in I the council chamber on Monday eye ming for the purpose of opening a hearing on the new sidewalks ordered tion made by Mayor Brown that the salary of the milk inspector be cut from $se0 year to $500 a year was made the substance of a resolution introduced by Alderman Dolbeare. The resolution was adopted as presented. Another resolution introduced by AL derman Dolbeare approved the mayors appointment Of Albert C~Freeman, M D., as city milk inspector.
 The. announcement of Dr. Shahan's removal was made by the mayor after the sidewalk hearing had been de- clared closed. Ii follows:
 After a careful investigation of the administration Of the office Of milk in- spector of the city Of Norwich during the period since September 1st, 1915, by Dr. Dennis J. Shahau, the ineum- bent of that office, have been con- vinced by the facts so learned that 1t IS my duty. as mayor of the city Cf Norwich, to remove Dr. Shahan from the office of milk inspector for cause have accordingly today made such removal as will appear more specifi- cally by a finding in the matter to be presented to the council tonight. and the office is therefore now vacant believe that proper milk inspection should be had in this city at a cost of $500 per year, plus $100 for exsDenses, instead of $s0o per year. plus s100 for expenses, as heretofore. While the present vacancy exists therefore rec ommend that a resolution be adopted liking the salary of the milk inspector hereafter at the rate of $50 per month, instead of $75 per month as hereto fore I find upon inquiry that such salary will compare favorably with slle salaries paid in other cities of the state for the same sort of work.
 The Mayors Finding.
 The finding referred to by the mayor was read by City Clerk Arthur G. Crowell and is as follows:
 On February 27th, 1917. the follow ing communication was mailed to Dr. Dennis J. Shahan. No. 317 Main street Norwich, Connecticut. by registered letter. postage prepaid. to wit:
 "Dr. Dennis J. Shahan.
 Milk Inspector of the City
 of Norwich,
 No. 317 Main Street,
 Norwich, Connecticut.
 Dear Sir: Because of complaints which have been made to me as mayor of the city of Norwich. of the manner vour office as Milk Inspector Of the city of Norwich. and in consequence of the facts which have come to my attention in the course of my investigation of these cOmplalnIS, l am cOnSfQerlnR the matter of removing you from the of flee of Milk Inspector should sufficient cause appear.
 This is therefore to give you notice that I shall be in the mayors office in the city hall Norwich, Connecticut at 10 a. m.. Friday next, March End, for the purpose of giving you an opportu- nity to be fully heard with regard to the manner in which you have been conducting your office during the past eirf n months
 You will also take notice that the grounds upon which the matter of your removal are being considered are CD inconpetency, CD unfaithfulness in requirements of the public interest of the city.
 You will also take notice that the more important of the grounds or necessitates this investigation ard the consideration of this matter is based are the following:
 CD Of a total of 131 dealers from to the state laboratory during the pe- riod from September 1st. 1915. to Jan uary 1st, 1917. at least 32. or nearly 25 per cent. had no license at the time when the samples were taken.
 co Of a total Of 173 dealers who were licensed to sell milk during said period in the city of Norwich no sam ples whatever were taken from "A of them.
 (3) Of the probable 1eo dealers who are now selling milk in the city of Norwich and who should have had li- censes issued to them the 1st of January, 1917. up to February 22nd, 1917. total of but 7s licenses were is- sued by the milk inspector and record ed with the city clerk. [
 fD From none of the dealers selling milk during said period have samples been taken with sufficient frequency to insure proper inspection.
 (5) Where the analyses received back from the state laboratory have shown milk of inferior quality. either because of lack of a sufficient percent age of milk fat. or high bacteria count, or a surplus of water. or d high percentage of dirt. no effective measures have been taken to insure an improvement of conditions in these cases.
 (63 No sufficient method of dairy inspection has been carried out and no proper method Of following up the made has been adopted.
 @ The ordinance requiring letters at least four inches high to be dis in distributing milk in the city of Norwich, showing the number of the 1 license of the dealer in question, has not been enforced.
 {s) With one or two possible excep- lions during said period. no proper or 1 sufficient action has been taken by I the milk inspector to enforce the or flinances of the city of Norwich with l regard 70 the sale of milk or the | statutes of the state bearing upon the | same in that. during said period the 1 milk inspector has totally failed to at | tend to prosecutions for violations of | the ordinance and the enforcement of | the law as he should.
 (s) And in general. failure to prop 1 arly systematize and carry out the | work of milk inspector in an ef1cient | and effective manner to insure such a l milk supply for the city as should be | provided by proper milk inspection.
 Very truly yours,
 ALLYN L.. BROWN.
 Mayor of the City of Norwich.
 February twenty Nineteen | Seventeen
 At the time and place stated in said or notice. Dr. Dennis T. Shahan. together with Edwin WI Higgins, Esq, as counsel appeared be- ore me to answer to said charges and lied a formal written answer thereto ,sking flor further time to present ,ther considerations material and .eleyant to the charges made. thereby <f>r 1,,fl 1x4rron44aoffox, n,