New Britain herald., 1919-01-22
CHARTER REVISION
AGAIN DISCUSSED
100000 Bonds for Park De-
VelopmeDt Will Be Sought

The charter revision committee held
another meeting last night and fur
ther progress on the revision OF the
city charter was made. Mayor Quigley
being absent from the city. the chair
was taken by Alderman Richards
Chairman Brooks of The park board
who was to be present at the meet
ing was unable to attend because OF
a death in the family.
The first part Of the meeting was
gain taken up with the question or
the two taxing districts. Judge
Cooper said he had made inquiries at
the office of the assessors ana round
that the valuation OF property IN the
1utlvinc district which it is suggested
TO eliminate is only $1,400,0 600, which
at four mills yields only $500. No ac-
ton on the proposition was taken by
the committee.
The committee voted to secure the
charter right to issue 100000 worth
of bonds for the development of the
city's parks. Judge Cooper told the
committee that no charter change is
necessary to place all the parks in the
city under the control of the park
BOARD. The sentiment Of the meet
ing was favorable to the change and
having the parks under the one head.
The proper ordinance will be pre-
pared and the resolution will be re-
ferred back to the council.
Senator Klett offered an amendment
so as to provide that in the absence
of the prosecuting attorney and as
sistant the judge may appoint any
lawyer of the city to serve. His COM
pensation would be the same as that
of a grand juror. The senator remark
ed that only once in ten years has it
been necessary to get a lawyer for
the same situation. The amendment
was voted upon and accepted by the
committee. The amendment giving
the chief of police or captain the
power to release persons arrested for
misdCmeanors was also adopted. An
other change also allows the chief or
captain to fix cash balls. A change
in the matter of charging costs in
city court cases was also voted. The
purpose is to keep down the costs of
these cases as far as possible.
The amendment authorizing the is
sue Of 100000 worth of water bonds
was discussed. The change proposes
that the board Of finance and tax
alton be given the issuing power and
the same board to be made the trustee
of the funds. The amendment was
adopted.
The provision to give the city the
right to sell water within two miles
of the city and along the route of the
pipe lines was next considered by the
committee. There was considerable
opposition. Senator klett raised the
question of the advisability of the pro-
ject. Alderman Curtis spoke of the
advantages which night accrue in
negotiating rights of way along the
pipe line. Senator Klett would favor
restricting the sale of the water to a
district within radius of one-Quarter
of mile of the city. He did not OBJ
ject to the privilege being extended
along the pipe lines. The changes rec
commended by Senator Klett seemed to
appeal to the rest of the committee.
The charter change limiting the sale
of water within a district of one
quarter of mile from the city limits
was voted by the committee.
After considerable discussion the
proposed amendment concerning ex-
empting the city from liability in
cases of falling on walks excepting
when the walks are proved defective
was rejected. Senator Klett was OPP
posed to it as he was at the last meet