Norwich bulletin., 1921-02-03
PUTNAM

A. annual message to the common council S presented in full In the brief doc lment the mayor touches upon a variety of subjects pertaining to city finances md business management. Rigid econ omy during the year 1921 is urged ln the message, which also calls attertion among other things, to the fact that near y 20 fire hydrants are located on pri- yate property and are chiefly beneficial to owners of such property, though the cost to the city for the protection of these hydrants afford is approximately $500 per annum. The mayor expresses his 1 drants should be borne by the parties benefited, and he so recommends to the common council.
 The mayors message, which is as fol- | lows. shows how the bonded indebtedness of the city has been reduced the past l year: Gentlemen of the Common Council: In reviewing the work of the past year we naturally consider first the effect of our efforts upon the debt of the city, whether increased or decreased and the reasons therefore. Your treasurer's re- port, exclusive of the water department, approxinra tely B, 800 An analysis of our expenses shows permanent investments covering sewer extensions on Woodstock avenue and street improvements in the Manhasset section approximating $12,- 900 authorized by special appropriations, the funds for which are borrowed and added to the grand total of indebtedness. This, therefore, shows that exclusive of this amount for permanent investment the operating expense of the city, notwith- standing the extreme high cost of labor and materials, has been upon most fla vorable basis. Our total bonded indebt- edness has been reduced S15,o00 during the year; s5.0e0 of the sewer bonds and S10.000 of the water department bonds being retired and with a like amount to be retired annually, if no unforeseen con- tingency arises our citys debt should show a decided decrease during the next few years.
 For the year now before us I urge rigid economy in all departments con- sistent with necessary requirements for the health. safety and protection of our citizens. With practically every depart ment in smooth, running order, I have very few recommendations to make
 In the matter of highways, Putnam is exceptionally fortunate in having all the main avenues leading into the city under state control and repair. and with this
 
 department connecting streets can be giv- en more attention. and I urge a liberal continuance of paved gutters. more ire quent attention to repairs, and as far az possible, permanent resurfacing of the streets subject to, constant traffic
 The disposal of garbage is still mat ter undecided. and while it may be tenn porarily taken care of in various ways, it is an important matter during the sum- mer months, at least and I urge that it be not laid aside indefinitely.
 I have twice before urged the enacting of suitable ordinances covering the erec- ton, moving and repairing of building gS and still believing it is a matter far more important than may of you gen. tlemen realize. I again urgently recom- ment the passing of such ordinances, to- gether with the appointment of a per manent building committee to whom all matters connected herewith should be referred. I heleve suitable ordinances along these lines. properly enforced would reduce the fire hazard in many of our buildings by fifty per cent
 I understand there are nearly twenty | fire hydrants located upon private prop i erty which are of very little service oth- | CT than to the property upon which they are now situated, for which this city l is paying a yearly rental of approximate ] ly $500. and as I believe this expense | should be borne by the parties benefited 1 I recommend that the city cease to pay such rental and that the property owners 1 be so notified.
 In touching upon fire department mat ] ters it is unnecessary for me to recap | itulate to you gentlemen the necessity fol I nor to recommend the purchase of mo | 1ad sa do. however wish to take this oppor tunity of saying to our citizens that 1 believe many of them do not even par tially realize the necessity of this ant | the extreme risk we are all forced to as i sume without proper hook and ladde | equipment. Arguments pro and con hav been and may still be given, yet never theless the protection of life. and to sa, nothing of property. is so imperativel, 1 necessary that there can be no nesativ argument when considering this prop7si ton. As the matter now stands I be lieve this council is entirely free iron responsibility, and I hops our citizen will not wait until some unfortunate los occurs before giving the matter favora ble considerable
 It is with a full appreciation of tf, courteous assistance extended to me D you gentlemen that I hopefully look for
 
 : throughout the entire year.
 A. H. MARCY, Mayor. In making clear on Wednesday tn
 position he assumed at the meeting (
 the common council, Tuesday evening. i
 opposition to the proposed amendment
 to the charter of the city of Putnam
 these amendments intended to take If
 directing heads Of the police and fire d.
 partments out of politics, Alderman O!
 car Dugas, of Ward f. said that whi
 he believes in the principles underlyir
 the changes sought he does not thing
 proper that they should be made at tn
 particular time
 Alderman Dugas was not at the spect
 meeting of the common council, a fe
 days ago, when the proposedj amendmen | were approved. Tuesday evening he fl,
 motion that the vote of the comm,
 council approving the proposed amen
 ments be rescinded and the measur
 recalled from the legislature, where tn
 have been referred to the committee
 cities and boroughs.
 This proposition was taken under co sideration by t4le council and an efft F. made to reach Corpora tion- Coun. Charles L. Torrey by telephone to s
 certain what powers the body had
 the premises, but neither Mir. Tofrey, n
 his law partner. Judge M. H. Geissl
 could be reached.
 Search of the provisions cf the q
 charter then undertaken developed { . fact that motion to rescind any VI
 pe essec by the council must be filed wit
 in 24 hcu-s with the city clerk, and
 th's was not done it appeared that