New Britain herald., 1925-03-19


 Increase of s200 in the salary oi Chief of Police Ernest T. Belden was recommended to the council by the salary committee. In announc- ing the recommendation, the com mittee said that the. chief had a great amount of clerical work to do and inasmuch as there is no clerk to assist him, 1t was thought that the extra amount should be paid to him.
 Water Damages Land
 Asserting that the inadequacy Of the surface sewer system on Center and Goodwin streets had caused water to flow over on his property thereby doing much damage, Pat rick McCabe of 99 Goodwin street asked the council for an investiga- tion. August Veiberg also told oi the water damage on the street and asked that the city abate the nuisance. Dosithe Pennsonnaul' supported the stories of the damage by one of his own. He said that the present sluiceway intended to carry off the water was not large enough and the water "backed up." The matter was referred to the street committee and Superintendent of Public Works Oscar Anderson.
 OpDOSe Store
 Opposition 10 the proposed store of William Fries on Goodwin street developed last night, when hear ing on the establishment of street lines was held. The property own- CTS seem to favor a wide building line so that the store might be kept back from the street
 Among those appearing was Judge Epaphroditus Peck, who said that he represented the directors of the Bristol hospital, owners of nearby property. The hospital officials de- sired that no building be allowed tc iut out on the corner, thereby in terfering with the vision of am bulance drivers and other vehicle operators visiting the hospital. He favored a wide building line.
 Snow Costs Money
 Removal of the snow during the last winter cost the city a pretty penny as shown by the report of Su- perintendent of Public Works An derson for February, presented tc the council. The snow removal fol the general city cost S2,994 while the ForestyilIe district cost was s4S9.
 Judge Presents Report
 In his report of police court for the month of February, presented to the council, Judge William J. Malone showed that a total of $1,' 926.20 had been collected in fines After the state amounts had been deducted, the city received s1,776.SO
 Tax Rate Increased
 Making an increase of two mills in the general city tax for this year, the council voted a rate of 22h mills after consideration Of the city budget. The first taxing district rate will be four and one third mills while the second district rate will be one mill. The first tax ing district rate is thereby increased one and one-twelfth mills, while thu second district rate presents n' change.
 The general city tax becomes duo and payable on October l. and witt the increase voted last night prop erty owners of the first taxing dis trict will have a jump of S34 mills over last year to pay.
 The council lays the blame for the increase on a larger budget and a smaller grand list than anticipat- ed. The councilmen were not back ward in asserting recently that the grand list fell below expectations. The council decided that a larger grand list must be had so that Mayor J. F. Wade was commissioned to make a contract with the asses sors, if possible, for a property re- valuation. To this end he was au- thorized to pay the assessors the sum of $1 400 each for the work, in addition to the regular salaries.
 Dutton Suggests Cut
 nr; ln i,Nt nF special committee to consider the cutting down of the sidewalks on Main street from North Main street to the Memorial Boulevard, Coun- cilman Frank w. Dutton of the street committee suggested the talk ing away of 21a feet from the west side of the street, leaving the east side as at present. He said that much opposition had developed when the cutting of the sidewalks had been suggested but said that the move had been started by the council in order that the traffic congestion might be relieved.
 Tracy Wants New Plan
 Thomas A. Tracy presented a plan 10 tho council whereby the general city tax would be collected quar- terly instead of at one time as at present. He thought this plan would be a boon to the small tax payer, who found it a hard struggle 10 raise a large sum at once to pay off his taxes on his home. when due. Mayor Wade thought the plan a good one. if it could be put into operation. He called upon Tax Collector Frank R. Riley, who also said that the plan had advantages but also drawbacks. IL meant the changing of the system of collection in his office, which meant additional help and the Cramped office quar- tcrs al present preclude any possi-