New Britain herald., 1926-10-18

ANNH lol lItilll
 New Britain, Conn.
 Dear Sir:
 After a residence of one year In New Britain and 46 years in public
 life in the old city of Brooklyn,
 now the borough of Brooklyn of the
 greater city of New York, and read
 ing from time to time in your val
 uable paper, suggestions of a new
 charter for the city of New Britain
 and that charter commission had
 already been appointed to revise
 the charter, thought l might make
 a few suggestions that might help
 in some way that might be bene- fiCial to the citizens and taxpayers
 of this city. Only short time ago I read in your paper speech by
 Senator Hall in which he said the
 charter of New Britain was anti
 quated and way behind the times, and absolutely needed revision, and I certainly, after looking over the charter, fully agree with him. Dur ing the first of September while discussing the charter with the sec
 retary to His Honor, Gardner c. Weld the mayor of the city, I ask ed the meaning of an assistant po- lice judge. In no other city have I ever heard of an assistant judge. I have always heard them spoken of as an associate judge and only on Monday or Tuesday night Of this week I saw an article by Judge filling regarding the assistant judge and suggested at least for two police judges. I think police magistrate would sound better and if two ,Do- lice magistrates should be authoriZ- ed, I would say that no person be appointed to that position unless he was a practicing lawyer of not less than five years in the practice of the law. In the revision of the charter l will commence at the mayors office. Beginning with expiration of the term of the present mayor in 1927, I would suggest that the mayor be elected at the November elec- ton and to take office Jan. 1, 1928, for a term Of four years at salary of $5,000 dollars per year and to have the appointment and removal of all commissioners at any and all times during his term of office. would suggest the abolishing of the present board of aldermen and the present board of councilmen and elect in their places a board of aldermen to consist of 12 members to be elected as follows. Six (6) to be elected at large of whom two CD shall be women and six (G) to be elected from three (S) aldermanic districts from which two CD alder men shall be elected from each dis trict, and each and every alderman to receive a salary of not less than five hundred ($500) dollars per year. The terms of each alderman to be for a period of two years each. I would also suggest the cleo ton of a president of the board Of aldermen who will preside over all of the board of aldermen, but will have no vote except that should a tie vote be taken, the pres dent of the board could cast de- ,iding vote. The president of the board of aldermen to become the acting mayor in the absence of the mayor from the city or otherwise disc bled from sickness and unable to act. The president of the board of aldermen to receive a salary of not less than (s2,500) twenty-five hundred dollars. The term of office of the president of the board Of aldermen to be for a period of four (G years. l would also suggest single head for all the different de- rartments excepting the board of education and the board of assess ment and taxation. The board or education to be composed Of pres Ident and four members, two (2) or the members to be women. me board of assessment and taxation to be composed of president and fhree members, the salary to be 1iX- ed by the board of estimate, when shall comprise the following: the mayor, the comptroller, the presl- dent of the board of aldermen ana the city treasurer, who will ne the final judges of all appropriations for the use of the expenses or the city government.
 Commissioners as follow under single head for each department. Commissioner of public works, who will appoint a deputy commissioner with the approval of the mayor;
 Commissioner of police who will appoint a deputy commissioner With the approval of the mayor;
 Commissioner of public health' who must be a physician Of at least five years of practice, who will also appoint deputy commissioner who also must be a physician or at least five years of practice, also with the approval of the mayor;
 Commissioner of buildings who must have had at least 10 years ex- perience as a builder and general contractor who also shall appoint 0 deputy with at least 10 years eX- perience as a builder, and general contractor: A commissioner ot parks who will also appo|nt d. deputy commissioner with the ap- proval of the mayor; Comptrolier' the election of consptroller for period of four (D years; City treas urer the election of city treasurer for a period of four (4) years
 There are no doubt many other matters pertaining to your city gov ernment that can and will be left with the charter commission who no doubt, are more familiar with the affairs of the city government than I am.
 Commissioner of the fire depart ment, who will also appoint dep uty commissioner with the approV- al of the mayor.
 In addition to the suggestions re- garding the revision of the charter of the city of New Britain, there are q few matters I would also like to rol1 1o your attention, and that is