Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-02-13
DANEISON AND PUTNAM NEWS
PUTNAM

The newly organized health board has
run ur against an OBSTACLE that It will be
almost impossible to overcome without
legislation For many years the health
board annually appointed by the COM
mon council, has been an inactive body
and there has been considerable cr3tt-
ciEn Of the fact Through the Efforts
Of Dr.. George T. LAmarche, Putnsm's
school physician, and the cooperation
OF Mayor Macdonald, . new health noard
has been appotnted. It is the purpose
Of the board to be an active orsaniza-
ton. Two weeks ago DR.. Lanaarchs
was elected chairman Of the board and
A Newton Vaughn, clerk. At this meet
ing Dr.. John T. Black, chairman Of
the state board OF health, was present.
He pointed to An obstacle in the way
Of efficient work of the board which
obstacle had already been discovered
by gone OF the board members.
Under the city charter the common
council constitutes board Of health.
Tho council is empowered to appoint
a health board to work with g. health
otsiced, also appointed by the council.
in carrying cut all local and state laws
and regulations concerning health con-
ditions. 1t IS apparent from the form
OF the CITY charter that the health
eli. II would seem that the health
board can do lfttle more than .nvesti-
gate and report and make etugges-
tons to the council. II the council. as
a board OF health, proalulgates rules
and regulations, then the health board,
| with. the health officer. may enforce
| such legislation as the council shall en-
| act.
The discovery Of the health board
members that they are peweAess to
take the initiative and to carry any
plan formulated through, without the
sanction, approval. and action. Of the
common council. has in q measure damp
ened the srdor of the board. Neverthe-
less the board IS going to continue tc
function in an effort to remedy sons
OF the health conditions n the city that
need attention.
The second meeting OF the beard was
held IN the esIHotI chamber. when
the chairman, DR.. Lamarche, presided
The matter which received the great
est amount OF discussion was tho gar
bage situation AT present there is M
attempt to collect garbage in any par
Of the city. IN the more congested sec
tons the conditions are dangerous
Refuse matter. is thrown out IN pile
and sometimes; mixed with ashes. Their,
are Breeding places to -hies an over thu
city II q property owner Is approach
ed and asked to properly dispose o
garbage the question comes back. &c
would like TO. but what am COINS
to dog, There is no answer to suci
a question The problem has been dis
,cussed and re-discussed by the coun
, ell Committees have been appointed t.
, lake .;investiga5ions. The question ha
become one 81. whether the city I
willing TO spend several thousand dol
, lars year or let the matter rest ii
the present unsanitary condition. Peo
, PIE seemingly take little interest IN tn
matted Putnarl has been unusuaii
, free from epidemic and the city Is norm
ally healthy. 1t may take an epidemic
7 traced to the above cause. before til
. citizens will awake TO the seriousnes
OF the situation. The safety first meas
ure that tile health board would Tx
, TO work out n the form OF gsrbas
disposal must have the backing % the
citizens IN order that it may be pa
! through. AS the council - has let Ii
matter rest it would seem that IN
body does not feel that three or fou
, thousand dollars 2 year to have II
4 garbage coliected Is warranted at pre-:
; ent. The ann5al city meeting comes /
March. 1t may be possible TO put tn
. matter before the voters at this tin