New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-01-05
Rejects PROPOSED
RAISE IN SALARY
Tax Collector Loomis Says He
Does Not Want Increase
WOULD GIVE IT TO STAFF
Chairman DObson, Speaking of Tn
collected Assessments Before
Council Committee, Declares Con-
dition Will BE Changed.

Unstinted praise for Street Super
intendent Eugene Faselle, and a
challenge by Tax Collector Berna-
dotte Loomis to any member of the
common council committee on salar-
les to present a single argument in
support of the policy of paying a
weekly salary of s35 to bookkeeper
in department handling approxi-
mately 100000 a year and only
$500 a year to another bookkceper
handling approximately S3,000,000 a
year, added color to the session of
the committee last night. The hear
ings for the several departments
were concluded and it was decided
to meet next Tuesday evening at
1880 to prepare report for the jan
uary meeting of the council.
Public Works Dept. Economy
Chairman George Dobson of the
board of public works pointed out
that approximately $4,000 was saved
during the past year in sanding and
oiling the streets, and other savings
were effected through the painstak-
ing efforts of City Engineer p. A.
Merriam and Superintendent Faselle.
The board. he said, sought to pay
salaries totalling slightly less than
the total payroll of the department
in 1927. and in his opinion there was
no reasonable argument against do
ing SO, in the face of the figures.
Gene Faselle is wonder, that's all
there is to it," the chairman said,
land $4,000 is not enough to pay
him. At $4,000 a year he would be a
cheap man." Touching on the dis
closures of large amounts of uncol-
lccted assessments, which necessitat-
ed the employment of a special clerk.
Chairman Dobson told the commit
tee that an inquiry is going forth for
the purpose of placing the blame for
the condition. II can assure you
that when l step out of office. there
will be no such condition." he de-
clared.
Gives Credit to Fasclle
City Engineer Merriam said he
wished to second the praise Of Mr..
Faselle. "A year ago I was called
before this committee and asked
about Mr.. Faselle's qualifications"
the engineer said. Rather than
stand in judguent Of him ! pEefsrEed
9yV14y nothfng Because ! WAS hot
aware of his qualifications. but now
want to say that II we have had
any success in the public works de-
partment this past year, the lions
share of the credit must 60 to Mr..
Faselle. He incurred the enmity Of
some people who thought he Whitfield
too closely and l will admit that
many times he seemed to be driving
a pretty hard bargain. but know he
always did it with the interests Of
the taxpayers in mind"
The recommended increases in the
public works department, outlined
by the chairman and the engineer,
were as follows: City engineer, $4,-
ESQ to $4,000: superintendent of
sewers, $3.1OO to $500; superin-
tendent of streets. $4,000 to $1,000;
clerk of the board. $1,000 to $500;
1lTSL SStIUSfdplltI. @l,-u" W @l'oc"'
foreman of filter beds. s1,S00 to 81
900; paymaster and clerk, SS5 to s37
per week; second stenographer.
1850 to $3.50 per week; inspector
of concrete and sewers S42 to s44
per week: inspector Of concrete, $50
to $32; superintendent of subways,