New Britain herald., 1919-07-15
JOHNSON SELECTED
 CLERK OF BOARD
Ex-SerVlce Man Given City Hall
 Position

At the special meeting of the board of public works held yesterday after noon at o'clock, George H. John son was chosen clerk of the public works department and entered mon his duties today, succeeding Harry A. Emmett, whose resignation after nine years service went into effect at noon.
 MT. Johnson is the son df MT. and Mrs. Aaron Johnson of 4SS Stanley street ana IS native of this city. For five years he was in the employ or the Globe Clothing company, later entering the employ of the Stanley, Rule & Level plant from which he entered the service during the war and went overseas with the 18th in fantry regiment of the 29th division
 Upon returning to this country Mr. Johnson re-entered the employ of the Stanley Rule & Level and he was given a high recommendation. It was his previous experience that caused MT. Johnson to secure the po- sition. Out of five likely candidates interviewed by City Engineer William H. Hall at the request of the con- missioners, MT. Johnson's training seemed to fit best into the line of work to be done in this office. A man with experience in bookkeeping and in making up payrolls was es- pecially desired by the commission CTS and the fact that MT. Johnson has had experience in both those lines, also in cost keeping, being in the cost departm ent at the Rule company, City Engineer Hall in making his re- port to the com missioners, recom- mended him.
 The first business to be brought before the meeting was the appoint ment of the clerk. Engineer Hall reported to the board that he had done as requested by the commits sioners and interviewed as many can didates as he could. He was es- pecially impressed with the person. ality of the men, stating that every one appeared efficient and capable. But as the board had requested that he name the one he considered the best qualified for the office, he was putting aside all personal feelings in the matter and would name MT. John son simply because he considered the result of his interviews Following a short discussion among the commits sioners, Commissioner O'Brien pro- posed an informal ballot which re- suited in five votes for MT. Johnson and one for James r. Kiniry. On motion of MT. O'Brien the appoint ment was made formal and unani- nous. MT. Johnson has made ar engagements with his present en- ployers whereby he will be at the public works office mornings this week and at his regular place of appoint ments, afternoons. On next week he will commence regular full-time work for the city.
 Chairman Humphrey, following the appointment of MT. Johnson, brought to the attention of the com missioners the necessity of erecting a new barn near the sewer beds to replace the one that was burned down on the night of July 1. It was re- ported at the meeting that the city received an insurance of $2,4O0 on the burned building, and a new building will cost approximately s5,'- 900. Styles and Reynolds allow the city the use of their barn for the eight horses that were rendered homeless" by the fire, and the city is storing it's hay in a barn located near the sewer beds, which is the property of the Holmes Brick com pany, but Mr. Humphrey asserted that this could not be done perma- nently. Regarding plans, City Engi neer Hall stated that he would pre- pare them if the board did not Ob ject about when they are ready. Due to the fact that he is rushed with work it will be impossible for him to draw up any plans for several weeks, he said Commissioner Downes reported that he was in favor of having the city engineer draw up the plans so as to save architects fees. MT. Hall stated that he felt the same way but it was physical impossibil- ity to prepare them before Septem- Der. The matter was left in the hands of the chairman and the city engineer, who will decide upon the matter.
 Following a discussion of the con- dition of the streets, which was brought up by Commissioner Don- lon, the session was brought to an end. Those present were Chairman E. N. Humphrey, City Engineer Will liam H. Hall, Commissioners John Moore, Thomas Donlon, John O'Brien, John Downes and John Anderson.