Norwich bulletin., 1918-05-24

committee WlSheS to briefly mention few of the pertinent facts which have a material bearing upon the figures submitted
 The permanent improvement by widening, or new pavement, or both, to Franklin street, Lincoln avenue, lower Broadway, North Main street from Burnham square to Golden street and from Second street to Eighth street, and Thames street from Thames square to High street, carried out under vote of regular and special meetings during the past two years, under the resolutions adopted by these city meetings, necessitates the annual payment of $14,700 over period of five years.
 The increase of 50 cents per day in pay to the members of the police de- partment, which was petitioned for, and it seems should be granted, neces- sitates an additional expenditure of | s. ,265, and the provision for two ad- ditional members of the police force | necessitates a further expenditure of | $2,o5o. A similar increase of pay to 1 the members of the fire department | necessitates an increase of s4,O0O. Liability insurance for the public | works department, which under the present law seems necessary, calls for. an additional expenditure of $2160.4. Put Thoroughfares in Shape. l While the item of macadam repairs under the estimated expenses of the public works department of $19,000 may seem large, it is the amount re- | quired to put in condition the impor- tant thoroughfares of the city, which have been too long neglected year af- ter year. so that such a substantial amount has to be expended It should . hn ii, ;o1 ed by the note after the special items, that should three of these, to wit: the West Thames street. North Main street and Laurel Hill avenue improvements, be adopted by city meeting, $13,170 could be eliminated from the items of macadam repairs, this being the total estimate for repairing macadam on those three streets, the need for which a new pavement would obviate.
 The increased cost of labor and ma terials in all departments is a matter of common knowledge and nee6s no further comment. fl The fact that in the department of cemeteries alone an addition of $1,525 has been found necessary to meet the increased cost of labor is indicative of the situation in all departments.
 Gas and Electric.
 It may be noted that the entire amount of receipts estimated from the gas and electrical department is offset by expenditures of equal amount. Your committee feels that until this D department has been thoroughly re- D habilitated at least, it should keep for it's own use every penny that is re- ceived from it's operation and that the city should look for returns in the way of better service and lower rates 1 tber4f han in r1ajd in h the nj ty' treasury for use in other departments of the eity's government
 Upon the receipts side of the esti- mates, it may be noted that $1, 900 less is estimated in the return from the three new sewers proposed than ap- pears on the expense side. The com mittee feels that in view of the fac that almost invariably the full amour of expense estimated is not repaid tt the city in the case of new sewers con. structed, it is fair and proper to make this difference on the receipts side.
 More from Town of Norwich.
 It may be noted that the item iron the town of Norwich on the receipt; side has been increased from s1S0 r to $4O,00O. This amount has remained l at the figure of $1S,000 since 1904 } when it was increased from s12,000 tt
 
 penditures were averag ging about $27 4 900 year by the city. At the pres U ent time they are about $600OO pc year. Accordingly on the same basi it is felt by your committee that tn amount which the town should pay t, the city during the coming year shoul, be s4O,000 instead of $1S,O00. 70 Should Increase Grand List. " In conclusion, your committee woul suggest the wisdom of raising tn grand list of the. town, which actior ,o putting all properties upon an actua ~ valuation, would materially increas
 the grand list and so reduce the ta
 rate. The tax rate under the presen ,o lsituation is misleading and necessaril m harmful to the city's best interests
 Mayor Brown explained the reaso
 for putting into the estimated receipt
 the figure of $40, 0,000 to be paid fror
 the town to the city on account (
 highway work. Ever since 1903,
 said. this figure has been s18,O0o. Tn Al amount is determined by a board con eso sisting of the three selectmen, th co mayor and the two senior aldermen. 32 they cannot agree, the matter is place
 before and ruled upon by a judge ( or the superior court. which was ts7 or case in 1903, when Judge Thayer sci m tied the amount at S1S,00O " At that time, said Mayor Brown, th Is city was expending 37,000 in highwa en work, which showed that the iudg SC, decided the proportionate part to or paid by the town was two-thirds. 4 1g the present time, the city is eXpendin oy S60 annually in highway work, S
 that two- thirds would mean the tow % ought to pay $40,000, which was tt figure that had been placed in the eS 0V inmates.
 oo Street Hearing Not Held.
 It was explained by Mayor Brown ;
 the opening of the meeting that a pro
 posed hearing on a petition for tf oo grading of Smith avenue could not
 held because the necessary legal tin
 for notice had not elapsed between u
 last meeting of the council and tn
 one.
 Public Works Report.
 Alderman M c. Higgins for the put 50 lie works committee reported thi
 residents of Boswell avenue had rt
 quested to have action on a petite
 which they had made for a sewer pos oV poned.
 The same committee reported at A versely on petition for a sewer 'V0 Gilmore street, as they said the stre
 is not in good condition. The pet An tioners were given leave to withdra7
 This will also eliminate from the est
 mates for next year for grading u
 street
 .oo The public works committee also r
 ported adversely on the petition of u o0 American Waste & Metal Co.,. to l, Y cate a gasoline pump. The petitione .oO were given leave to withdraw