Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1919-03-07
Especial to The Bulletin

lNoi W1CA1 LAY UelOl6 Inc COIuL1lLLee Oh
cities and boroughs, matters of inter
est to that city being grouped for
hearing for the recommendation OF
the parties interested, as an econorai-
cal measure to save time and expense
to Norwich people, in taking from
their home and business for one day
only. There were six matters for
consideration, as follows:
Repeating an act concerning super
iRtendent of water works: to prevent
sale Of electricity or gas in Norwich
except by contract with city; author
itv to place oil pumps afid tanks on
vide for three police sergeants; and
to provide Tor pensions for french.
The first matter called was tho act
regarding the sale OF electricity and
gas. Corporation Counsel Joseph I.
Tanning STATED that Attorney Brown.
counsel for Eastern Connecticut Power
company, could not be present and
for him he asked continuance to next
Tuesday, which was granted. Mr..
Tanning stated there was no doubt
but an agreement would be reached.
The bill:
Section 1. Neither The Eastern
Connecticut Power Company nor any
other company or person shall pur-
chase or lease the franchises. rights
or privileges Of The Norwich Gas and
said company, nor shall said The
Eastern Connecticut Power Company,
| The Shore Line Electric Railway
Company or any other company or
person have the right to sell or dis
tribute gas or electricity within the
| territory occupied by the municipal
gas and electric plant of The City OF
Norwich or within the territory in
which said city has the right to sell
gas or electricity, except under con-
tract with said city.
| The act repeating an act concerning
| the superintendent of water works,
which was passed at the 1917 session.
and which provided for tenure of Of
fee, until removed FOR cause. was
sailed. Judge John H. Barnes said
the democrats attempted to abolish
! the office, did discharge the superin-
tendent. the matter was taken to court
a.id the superintendent was rein
| stated. He said this measure was
| really al amendment to the city char
ter, and therefore not before the com
rlittee, and it was no. legally adver-
tised
Mr.. flaming declared that when the
appointment Was made without adver-
! Using al amendment TO the charter
| and therefore III reality was not ar
| amendment. He told of the delay ii
court proceedings, when the superin-
tendency was in court. II told oppos-
ing attorney that he must file briel
| within ten days, after several delays
Tor judgment would be asked o.
Judge Reed. Mr.. RAINING read tht
ldecision OF the court and the case
twas nov on the way 10 the supreme
4 court. He said the people of Norwich
! favored legislative action, that the
legislature was supreme, and that peo
4 pie have never denied hearing. Tht
+ co11,1nittN" - hearing. The tex
1 Of the bill follows:
8, Section |. at entitled IAN Ac
Concerning a superintendent of Wate
! Works of the City Of Norwich" ap
proved May is. 1877, IS hereby re-
l,eaied.
Il Section 2. This act shall take Of
4 feet upon its passage.
: Mr. flaming recited the history G
the Norwich Water Works. He sal
, the commissioner hired a superintend
ent for outside work. Later amend
rnent to the charter provided tina
board of water commissioners elect
] president, to have supervision an,
care of water works, and the court o
common council FIX the salary OF tn
, president. The superintendent event
TALLY did all the outside work. Il
= 1917 the condition vas changed wil1ci
!, gave the board OF cater commission
. ers the right to create the Office 0
) superintendent, aNd his duties define
) by the court Of common council, whit
; the charter provides that the presi
3 dent shall have fun charge OF the con
: duct of the department, subject
;, court of common council action
2 Mr.. Tanning introduced the vote c
Y the Norwich court Of common coun
Gil, as against the method when tn
lchanse was made in 1917, and in ia
Iyor OF having the water board con
r Quoted as before this 1917 action wa
| taken, with power of water commits
Y SON. or council, TO abolish the offie
OF water commissioner. original
o the change was not authorized by I'll
: council city meeting or water CON
3 sanction. Tie commissioner Just Be
e fore election appointed Edward
: Burrap as superintendent With an II
e crease Of $500 in salary. Before tn
+. the superintendent was the same {
u any other empioye Of the departrnel
9 in standing, but not e part Of the az
= nlinistration.
Last June the court Of connlc
council passed resolution that t
president Of the board Of water cor
II Inissioners ne reaNired TO do his fl
y duties as provided for in the cha
!, ter.
: Mayor J. ]. Desmond stated that ii
conditions in che vsnter departrne,
r worked out well until the change can
- in 1917. The mayor explained b
~ water commissioner makeup and ho
selected, one Of the commissions
= being member OF TIE court of con
n mon ceuncil. Naturally it was ne
- ossary to employ 4 foreman, or supe
intendent, but the president is r
iquired to supervise and care for Il
~ system under the charter.
He said the change was made wit
: cut the knowledge Or consent OF t
Il city OF Norwich properly, and w
not a fair piece OF Legislation to spri
II uren the city OF Norwich AS sfo,
in Judge Reeds decision, .,nder {
| charter the president OF ths board h
| the management Of the board, but u
| der present conditions neither t
| PRESIDENT of +he board or the cou
| ell have aflyfhing to do with the S
| s,-rintendent. The people OF Norwt
| are not favorable TO officers being a
II o;nted during good behavior. ",
| there is duplication OF officers in I
water depa, ,nent. The people
ii Norwich are in favor OF the repeal
the 1917 act. he said.
Ill President Walter W. Lang, Of 1
water board said he had devoted
his time to the duties Of rhe Office sir
his appointment. He said there ",
two reservoirs and that he supesvis
III TIE work with the assistance Of co
Potent forernan and ether employees
Judge John II. Barnes said the
OF 1917 was approved By the tfen ma
or. a democrat The hearing had be