New Britain herald., 1921-05-19
Charter Changes.

honorable body several important changes that it might be desirable to make in the line of improving city management. Most of these you ap- proved, and in all probability they will soon become part of our municipal law. The principal changes were the merging of building, plumbing and electrical inspec SITS positions under one head. that of board termed building commission.
 "A board for the purchase Of sup plies, with power to appoint sal aried agent. reorganization of the park commission, with changes in it's powers and duties and reorganizing of city plan com mission with increased power, providing means for erection plan commission with increased pow CT. providing means for the erection of comfort station, creating a rep resentatve body to take the place and powers of the city meeting, i'm proving and extending the law in re- gard to the police pension board, and several minor changes, all along progressive lines. The changes emu merated will require action by your honorable body in the way of ordi- nances to make them workable and effective.
 Nlen There has now by the authority given by your honorable body been established a municipal home bureau for the investigation of the needy, worthy and deserving ex-service men, their families and relatives, also to press their just claims either on the state or national government. besides furnishing immediate aid in case of emergencies by the city. This bu- reau has been organized at an oppor tune time, as the war bureau was discontinued several months ago. thinking its services were no longer required, and the Red Cross, which was expected to finish up its uncom- pleted work has also ceased its ac- tivities in this line. From facts brought to my attention. there is no doubt of the need for this work to he carried on for an indefinite time. It is a duty that the city should as- sume and carry on from the stand point for right and justice as we'll as self-interest.
 Board of Public Works.
 During tho past year. while thera was not much money available for new work. this department has kept fairly busy and has made a number oi needed improvements. Tn. growth of the city demands more work by this department each succeeding year. but duo to the war, work which should have been done was deferred, so we have arrived at a stage where it is necessary to do a large amount ot street and sewer work to be abreast of tho city wants. With the present supply ot labor at the market or pre- vailinc prices for that and material.
 l ...,s,~ it appears to he good chance to catch up with large amount of work which has been long deferred. Through the creation of the office of general superintendent and securing 2 man of largo experience to fill it. I feel quite optimistic in regard to tho benefits to be derived from tho ex- pansion Of our work thia year. |. will. no doubt, be the endeavor of the board of public works, as we'll as my self. to sec that whatever funds are expended. full returns for them will D, secured.
 Charities Department.
 There have been several changes in this department during the past year. In the first place. there was an entirely new board appointed: later on a new superinte ndent was installed u signed. The past winter a new super intendent was placed in charge of the Town Home. An inspection of the Town Home properties as they were a couple of months ago, and one at ths present tima would demonstrate that quite an improvement had been made by the present management. The new general superintendent has also demonstrated his value in many wsys
 There are quite a number of inn provernents badly needed at the Town Home. and while it may not be possi- ble this year to make many of them. still they must necessarily be made at an early date. A new hog house is required right away. There should be more storage capacity for keeping under cover the implements used the farm. Most of them are out doors the year round. and their de- teriorstion is rapid and consequently, a money losing proposition to the city.
 "Au inspection of the section of tho building used for females shows that it is very unsatisfactory; it is a fire menace and unsafe. [ would suggest that a sprinkling apparatus he in- stalled at the earliest opportunity to he used until if is supplanted by freproot structure. Ther, ar. many aged occupants. who are unable to move around very rapidly. and if th;, wooden structure should get on fire. there is great risk that some of them could or would not be able to ge. on: alive.
 "A visit to the charity department's office any day at the present time will demonstrate that there is a large