New Britain herald., 1919-01-29
Charity Board Mystery.

was the best method Of doing the
work.
Charity Board Mystery.
While discussing the matter of
salaries for the men who will be
needed to run the parks, the matter
of extra money being paid to city
officials was brought up. It proved
a deep and dark mystery which the
usual alert and efficient minds Of the
committee members were unable to
solve. At the last meeting of the
salary committee when the final rec
concentrations for salaries were pre-
pared it was learned that there were
increases asked for two members of
the charity board. These increases
were for 5000. The increases asked for
raises from 81 900 to $1,000 and from
$500 to $1,000. The mystery then
developed for it was stated by the
chairman that these two officials were
receiving these amounts already. How
they were being paid 5000 beyond
their regular salaries has not been
found out yet. The chairman stated
+het he would investigate the matter
but his report has not as vet been
heard. One member of the committee
Representative Hall. asked how it was
that the city comptroller paid the
money without the proper permission.
Mr.. Hall remarked that Comptroller
Curtis was very careful in the matter
OF paying city salaries and he did not
gee how that item escaped his notice.
Asked by Mr.. Hall If the common
council was opposed to increasing
salaries, Alderman Paonessa answered
for himself that he was not opposed
when the city had the person of the
right caliber and worth. He expressed
the sentiments Of the other council
members present. Alderman Curtis
mentioned the matter of the nurse
employed at the town home to care
for the city's poor Her salary is $3.50.
The entire committee laughed when
they heard the salary paid, for 1t was
understood that she is a professional
nurse. The committee was Of the
opinion that the salary was small for
a person having q profession. The
matter Of the money being paid will
he brought up at the next meeting
Assessors arc Discussed.
The next matter discussed was re-
! garding the reduction of the number
Of assessors from three to two. Alder
man Curtis reminded the committee
that it was q big and important matter
! and one that should not be decided
in haste. The com mittee seemed I'M
j decided what action should be taken
on the matter. Some favored reduc-
ing If it would prove Of benefit for the
! city. The committee did not feel that
! the city would get two efficient men
/ for $500 q year and they felt that
= the salary paid is too small. Repre-
! sentative Hall asked for time to in
vesttgate conditions in other cities.
! He mentioned the fact that Waterbury
! is changing their method and he
! wanted this city to change for the
! better when II did change. Alderman
| Curtis did not favor more assessors
! for he did not feel that efficiency is
! obtained from a large numbe OF
/ men. He spoke Of Bridgeport which
/ has several assessors and each man
is expert In his line. There is, for
/ inutancc, q mercantile man who knows
how to assess the stores. etc. There
: is g builder who knows how to assess
: buildings and property There Is
! man to assess nanufacturers and also
enc to essoSs other specials in the city.
/ In that method great degree Of
efficiency Is obtained and the property
clc., III the city Is readily assessed,
! At that point Senator Klett appeared
ard satd that two assessors we'll paid
! would 90 the work and 10 II well.
lie thought these mon should be out
hido Invest eating Gud 1SroaaiuH I'LL
The tinlc and the once shouG be left
III charge OF the clerk who could
we'll take care OF II. When the mat
ter of salaries came Ito the council