New Britain herald., 1923-03-13
New Bntain?s Charter Changes
 Reach Nearing Stage at Capitol
No Serious Opposition Ex- pected With Exception of Section Restricting School Board Expenditures.

| ments to the city charter which are to go before the committee on cities and boroughs tomorrow afternoon at o'clock at the state capitol, the greatest amount of interest is being manifested in the amendments per. tainlng 10 the school committee. If IS expected that the section to re- strict the school board to purchases not to exceed $500, except in cases where the common council has given It's approval or there is an existing emergency, will be strenuously op- posed.
 An amendment will be offered to vest in the hands of the board of hnance and taxation, all properties owned by the city and not specifically used by any other board or commis- sion. The finance board would col lect rents and, if found advIable. be allowed to sell the property through the usual channels.
 It is also proposed to allow amend ments to be introduced at the city meeting boards sessions without pre- vious notice, provided the amend ments pertain to bond issues only
 Fire Department Changes.
 In the articles pertaining to the fire departments, there are several amend ments to supplant the term, board of public safety" by board of fire commissioners" It is proposed to al- low the placing of funds received from the sale of old apparatus in the firemen's pension fund, provided the amount does not exceed $500. In the of that fund. provided the are accepted, a member of the fire department will hence- forth be member of the board of trustees. The amended charter would allow the retirement of firemen dis abled while on duty at not more than one-half the compensation paid a permanent hoseman during the year.
 Policeman Pension Fund Trustee.
 The privilege of having a member of the police force as a member of i the board of trustees of the police pension fund is also extended under | l proposed amendment.
 Health Department Change.
 
 he mayor is required to appoint one practical plumber to the health board. Since plumbing work is now in the hands of the building commission this s no longer necessary, members of he committee believe. and such ap- continent will hereafter be optional with the mayor.
 It is planned to place one electrical Inspector under the building commis- ion. This will allow Inspector George c. Cooley to work for the ire and police departments only. Inspector Grabeck is now performing he duties of inspector for the build ng commission.
 No Civil Service Recommendation,
 An amendment to dispense with ivil service was passed by the com nittee. but rejected by the common ouncil and will not go before the egislature as part of the commit ee's report.
 An amendment to Section on 1 'age IA would prevent anyone who as received money through the !, yorkmens Compensation act to re- eive a pension from the city as re- ult of the same incapacitation.
 Other Amendments.
 Other amendments are: Ellmlna- ion of the second taxing district; re- uirement that those receiving city 1oneys turn over funds every month; authorizing the board of finance and axation to name a bank or trust ompany as it's agent in investing the mixing funds; authorizing the city to ell water to Newington, Plainville md Burlington; assessing costs Of yater mains against all abutting prop rites, requiring payment of 10 per ept of the cost, less actual rentals ,aid: allowing liens on property for Inpaid rents; allowing collection Of 0 per cent penalty on unpaid water ents for the first year and six per ent thereafter; authorizing the city o police that part of Willow Brook ark that lies within the limits of he town of Berlin; permitting the ity to take lands necessary for the obstruction of highways where land as been developed and lots sold, but he street still held by private ln- erests; allowing the use of abstract heets as a rate book in the assessors flee: increasing the maximum pen lty to be imposed by the police ourt here from s2O0 to $500; allow
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