Putnam patriot., 1921-09-09
WANTS CHICKERlNG
 RUINS CLEANED UP
Mayor Terms Them Blot On Landscape" Suggests
 New Building Ordinances
Council Takes Nc Aetion.-Patriot
 Has Urged Removal Of Ruins.

remedying building unsightliness in the city, but to no avail. The sugges- tion of the mayor follows The Patri- ot's editorial of several weeks ago calling attention to the dilapidated condition ef the old Chickering House which stands in the very heart of the city and daily gives to strangers an unfavorable impression of Putnam.
 T have brought before the atten- tion of this council several times be- fore the matter of drawing up proper building ordinances" said the mayor. Al every council meeting We receive requests for building permits and in practically every case the person seek ing the permit has already completed ;he erection of his building in appar- eut disregard of the attitude of this body Many times tae buildings have been erected without any eonsidera- eion of proper drainage or of fire pre- caution. Such buildings are not only unsafe but are a nuisance during heavy rains when the lack of good drains has meant flooded conditions in the streets Also the buildings have often been erected without re- gard to city street lines.
 Another disadvantage arising from no suitable building ordinances is the continued unsightliness of such places as the old. fire gutted Chickering House, which in spite of it's appear ence we have no power under present conditions. to have rebuilt or torn down. The Chiekering House is a blot on the landscape in it's partly de- stroyed condition.
 T am perfectly willing to take the initiative in any attempt by this body Co remedy the lack of proper building ordinances. and there is yet time for this body to do something before it's term expires. would suggest pro- vision for a standing committee-=a building eommittee-to which build ing problems could be referred and which would have the power to act. am sure that the good from an action of this sort would well repay all the trouble t would necessitate.
 After a short pause. during which none of the council members spoke, Alderman Dean asked, Suppose q question of dispute should come up, and our attorney should tell us we had ao power to act, what could we do then?e
 As much as we are doing now, . sad the mayor.
 (Which Is nothing" added Mr Dean.
 As no one else seemed to care ts speak on the suggestion, other bust ness was taken up.
 Reports from state officials who had tested the milk of Putnam dealers were read and showed that only one city milk vender was selling milk which contained less than the lega maximum of bacteria. It was moved that the reports be published in the local papers, but after discussion thi, motion was withdrawn. It was voted to have the matter taken up with the health officer 10 see what could b, done.
 The request of Zepheron Harquil for permission to erect two story garage on his property on Lincoln street was referred Go the highway committee. The building was report ed as already erected Permission was given Emilien Durand for cree ton of tenement over his store and Mcguire Bedeuin was allowed to have small shop on Addison street,
 Councilman Byrne pointed out that since the new addition on the hospital it was very difficult to attach q pumr to the hydrant in it's present location The fire committee was told to sec about the matter and also to arrange for a fire box near the hospital, and to report at the next meeting.
 In reply to questioning, Fire Chief Cortland D. Arnold reported that 35C feet of hose had been lost in recent fires and said that in his opinion much of the present supply of hose was rotten. He said that at least $500 feet of hose was necessary for the local fire equipment, and there was not much more than 2,000 feet that he was now able to rely on. The fire committee was authorized to purchase up to ,00o feet of new hose such as in their judgment might be needed.
 Frederick Dumas. superintendent of streets and sidewalks, reported quite few of the Grove street side walks. which had been in poor condi- ton. as repaired Councilman John Otis Fox said he had taken up the pur- chase of signs with the manufacturers but could report nothing at the meet. ing.
 The report of the police department sh5wed that 2i arrests had been made lurag August Seven persons had beer fined and s1i2.56 had been col lectei Eighteen traWps had been lodged and property valued at sl3i had been stolen, none of which had 8een recovered.
 Cortland D. Arnold suggested that
 dummy be placed just this side of he Arch street bridge at the in1ersec- ton of Arch and South Main streets. The suggestion was referred 10 the police committee with power to act. The sale of a distributor and kettle,