Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1921-01-28

reaching measures TO come DeIote Tit
members of the common council Of
Putnam since the city was organized
was discussed and acted upon favor
ably at special meeting called fol-
that purpose, Tuesday evening. Sir
members of the council. three on each
side of the house, were present anc
voted unanimously in favor Of amend
ments to sections 20 and 6 Of the city
charter, which will make the tenure
of office of the captain and sergean,
of police and regular patrolmen and
of the chief and his two assistants In
the fire department and the superin
tendent of fire alarm, during good be-
havior, or until reaching an age limit
Of 65 years or being retired at &c
years in the discretion of the council
Section &c has to do with the police
department, and section with the II I
department. Both are sections of con
si.. fable length but the anne ailments
only affect the sections by fixing ter
ure of office, the amendments being
as follows:
Section 26--The captain of police
sergeant and regular patrolmen shall
continue to hold office during good
behavior and until he shall be removed
or expelled by the common council fol-
cause or misbehavio', but iiS stts'
charges are preferred, notice given
and hearing had, the common council
to be the sole judges in the matter
provided that in no event shall they
hold office beyond an age limit fixed
at So years, and may be removed al
any time, regardless of behavior OF
cause, after reaching the age Of o.
years.
Section 6-The chief engineer oil
the fire department, the assistant en-
gineers and the superintendent OF fire
alarm, when appointed shall hold Of
flee, except as hereinafter provided,
during good behavior. All of such Of
ficers may be removed for malfeas-
ance in office, neglect of duty, inca
pacity or other just cause; but they
shall not be removed on any charge
preferred without notice and hearing.
The act is to take effect from its
passage and will therefore, If passed,
include the present incumbents OF the
Offices specified in the amendment.
The chief reason for the proposed
amendments is to take the Offices
therein included out of politics. Since
the city was organized the tenure OF
office has been two years. A man
elected to any Of the Offices included
in the amendment was not sure of his
position but for one term. This has
been a handicap in getting good men
to accept these responsible positions
There was also the feature that the
man holding the office was more or
less handicapped, for he had to court
favor. more or less, ii he wished to
assure support of influential citizens
for reelection.
And again, each two years, when
these Office holders terms ended and
the vacancies had to be filled by an
incoming council, there was more or
less trouble and friction. The sad
spectacle that has come up for the
past several executive sessions for the
appointment of officials Is still fresh
in the memory Of our citizens. This
turmoil and strife, with the hard feel.
ing it ,efigenders. will become q thing
Of the past If the ordinances are
amended to take the Offices out OF two
year periods.
Putnam IL one Of the last cities IN
the state to attempt to put its fire and