Putnam patriot., 1930-05-08
A Maze of Words, Phrases And Clauses Disclose Several Pertinent Matters
  Who Did and Who Didn't Let the Road Roller7

Road Roller7
 It was hot in the common council chamber. Tuesday evening. \ num- Der of the city fathers appeared in semi-negligee. Perhaps the mid-sum- mer warmth may have had something Co do with the mode of procedure. Certainly the arguments and discus sions were about as torrid as the weather. There were times when alderman argued with alderman, when several were talking at once; and times when the meeting had the appearance of informal plus. several outside the rail taking part.
 From out of the fog of words, phrases and clauses appeared the fact that the council is opposed to spending any more money for street lights II was also emphatically dis closed that no one in authority had allowed the road roller belonging to the city Co he used by a private con tractor. It was further made plain that there has been change in opin- ion as to the necessity of installing an auxiliary sewer pump. This en- tails a saving of s2.l00 to the city. Also as to the wisdom of putting a sewer on South Meadow street. This made possible the withdrawal of a previously recommended appropriation of S2.400. Having saved the taxpay- CTS S4. 4.500 in these two items the city fathers certainly accomplished a substantial piece of business.
 Mayor Returns
 Following an absence of several months, because Of a serious illness, Mayor Richard was again back in the chair. Every alderman was present when the meeting was called to or- der. The police report for the month of April was read showing a total of twenty-one arrests. six sent Co jail, fines and costs collected S3si.22, doors found open, fourteen, and tramps lodged sixty-two.
 Petitions for building permits of a minor nature were read and granted. The Sisters of the Holy Ghost peti- toned for curbing on the east side of Church street in front of the Chap lin's house. also on Gilman street. Gil man street residents petitioned for hvdrant This was referred to the ire committee to take up with the water commissioners.
 A petition signed by some thirty or thirty-iive business men was present. ed asking the council to put clause in the call for the special city meet ing, to be held soon. to see if the vot- CTS will appropriate S3,000 for bet Ger street lighting system. The pc ttion was supported by Walter N. King who told the council that it would increase the candle power fifty percent at a third more cost.
 Strong opposition
 The project was emphatically op- posed by Alderman Chadwick on the ground of economy. He thought the money could be used better elsewhere and called attention Co the fact that many imperative expenditures will soon come up, sewer Alteration plant, better fire headquarters, fire appara- tus etc, and thought that the citizens should not be burdened with greater taxation. MT. King stated that a third of mill would pay for the ex- tra expense This started an argu- ment but 1t was finally determined that Mir King was right For fifteen minutes it was pro and con. There were charges that it was class legis- lation. It was averred on the one hand that the city was poorly lighted and on the other that it is we'll light ed.
 Alderman Dean said he was oppos- ed to it but that if his constituents favored it he would favor it. Alder man Ames believed an improved lighting system would be benefit to the whole city and resented the pro iect being called a scheme of few. He felt that it would benefit all of the citizens and said that if the feeling Is against it the people will vote against it. He agreed that, in comparison with other cities. Putnam is poorly lighted. The mayor said he didn't see how the citizens could stand much more. We have got Co think of new sewer beds, a new fire station. and other things. He didn't think the city is poorly lighted Although the question was the simple one of whether the citizens should be allowed to express their own opinions on the subject the argu- ments waxed long and in divers ways and directions. IL was suggested that it be referred Co the light and finance committees. It was stated that mem bers of the committees were pre- iudiced as not favoring the project After the discussion inside and out side the rail had continued at length the matter after all went to the com mittees suggested to report on at the next meeting.
 Street Signs
 4 recommendation from the Chamber Of Commerce that the street signs throughout the city be renewed did not find much more favor than the lighting project Again economy was outstanding in the argument It was stated by Alderman Mignault that an investigation had been made and it had been determined that 200 signs would be needed This was also referred to the committee to get an estimated cost
 The annual vote of sidewalks in need of repair was passed Abutters l q