New Britain herald., 1929-05-16

srswn with the city. q ts evidenced by the addition of eight patrolmsn this year. TAe present building. d. l though renovated and improved In | every way possible. is not . credit to the city.
 Health
 Among the city departments of which we hear little. il the health department. The exception to this rule h the time of prevalence of communicable disease. at which time it's efficient operations are plainly evident. We must be thankful that Providence has spared us from seri- ous prsvalencss during the past year. Hardening back to 1913. the time of the influenza epidemic. and to 1923 when smallpox was raging, ~e can recall the efficiency of this de- pertinent. It must not be forgotten that a smoothly operating organiza- tion must be maintained year in and year out to be prepared for such unfortunate occurrences.
 Park Department
 The park department has con- rleted one of its most successful years under . new commission and new superintendent. During the year. I have heard nothing but words of glowing praise from men and women in all walks of life. The park commission. operating through the office of the superintendent. has brought out the greatest beauty in our parks and the maximum benefits in our playgrounds.
 This is one of the most important duties of the city government. Our city has been blessed with many chi. dren. perhaps more children than most cities of New Britain's size. There is no man in public office or private life who does not want to afford these children the most com- plete protection and thorough en- joyment It was this feeling which prompted the board of hnaucs and taxation and the common council 10 increase the appropriation to this department for the fiscal year 1s2s- 1880.
 "Immediate steps should be taken by the park department or by . committee of the common COL neil to procure lands in the fourth ward district for park or playground prr- poses. This section, of the city has no park or playground at the pres ent time. feel it would be wise investment to- purchase land and de. velop 1t before the expansion of the residence districts makes it impossi- ble to secure . tract large enough and properly located. am certain that no official or taxpayer would wish to stand in the way of gtving that locality the same park facilities as are now enjoyed in other dis tricts.
 Recreation
 T feel would be overlooking the work of very important branch of our municipal system if were 10 fail to make mention of the munich pal recreation commission. At m almost unbelievably low cost. this board has provided recreation Tor thousands of boys and girls during the playground season. Under trained supervision. the children are being taught habits of health for body and mind and being drilled along lines which will ht them to become useful members of their community. Several baseball leagues have been formed and supervised by the commission. rs-awakening inter est in the national pastime. The games have furnished recreation to thousands and have encouraged use of the parks. 'H
 Thanks Mrs. R. J. Vance
 T wish publicly to express my thanks to Mrs. Robert J. Vance for her genarous gift which made possible the inauguration of play ground on the Robert J. Vance school grounds. The citizens of New Britain. particularly the parents and children of the Vance school district owe MrA Vance . debt of gratitude for her kind thoughtful ness. Another good citizen of New Britain has furnished several thou sands of dollars to be used in fur nishing the utmost in recreation for children at Walnut Hill park swim ming pool. The benefits of his gifts. I am sure. will be far reaching. Building Departuncat
 'The building department has operated smoothly and efficiently for the past year and we have every reason to expect continued operation along these linea This branch of the government faces perplexing problems every day. It is in this office that the exacting requirements of the zoning law and the building ordinances are interpreted. as well as the electrical and plumbing codes Failure on the part of this stan to function efficiently would place the lives and limbs of countless hun- dreds of our people in jeopardy.
 The staff has been increased by the addition of deputy inspector. insuring more frequent and more thorough inspection of old and new buildings. Through the efforts of the other deputy inspector. we are soon to have a heating code in use. This is a feature of building in- spection, the importance of which is becoming more and more evident each year. Faulty installations have cost property owners many dollars in wasted radiation, and much dis comfort in poorly heated homes. These difficulties will be met when the heating code is adopted and the inspector transferred from building to heating supervision.
 ] Z0ning