The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-12


 among the younger element of the city, his parents being popular also among the Lithuanian popu- lation of the city, having been residents of Waterbury foS many years. He has invited his friends to call upon him in his new office. Rowland, interrupting: I didn't make any charges. Oh, yes. It doesn't say here that I charge, does it. AS is.
 Judge Continues
 Judge, continuing: An impartial investigation removed from the realm of political prejudice Y. hire firm of certified public &C., countants not formerly employed by the city. resolve that the board appoint Commissioner John H. GoSS as committee of one to cause such special audit to determine whether there has been a malfeasance of of- flee by the controllers predecessor or members of the staff ,. audit of all records with the cost to be kept within reason to report to the public an item of $6,000 to the budget of the controllers office for the expense.
 Tripp: That's well thought-up, sensible motion. Mine was just a spontaneous expression of my own reactions.
 Judge, giving copy of motion to Rowland, who reads, as he hears Tripp second motion. l Question of Power Question is raised whether the board has the power to delegate au- thority to a committee to handle such matter. Opinion of corpora tion counsel is suggested as neces- sary before board action and Com missioners Judge, Tripp and Con- troller Rowland urge that opinion be obtained at once. | The corporation counsel is called and asked whether he will give opinion. This he refuses to do say ing that the question of delegating power by the board is complex and that he will not give "an of hand opinion" on such matter. It is determined that he will be able to give an opinion by next Monday and the board will resume at o'clock at that time Rowland Heard Again
 Before this, however, the con- troller once again is heard.
 Rowland: I've only made state mentS of facts as found. I don't know whether the controller is the one to make any charges. (Mr Rowland emphasizes "Charges.') The condition is what I found.
 Fitzgerald: The motion is okeh with me but I think that a com- mittee of three appointed by the mayor would be more regular.
 Judge: An individual can act without the question of political partisanship. know that MT. Goss has the high regard of everyone and anything he may do will serve to satisfy the clamor going around the town.
 Clergy Recommended
 Tripp: Father O'Shea or Dr. John N. Lewis, anyone who has the entire respect of the community.
 Judge: We need someone fa- miliar with the city affairs.
 Jackson: I don't know about the power of the board. Let us wait un- til the opinion of the corporation counsel is given.
 It was then that the corporation counsel was called on urgent request of the makers of the motion and the controller.
 Rowland: Absolutely necessary that this be hurried.
 Opinion on Monday
 With word that the opinion on power to appoint committee of one, (Mr. GoSs) would be ready Monday, the meeting was adjourned to that time, after the controller had pre- sented some January bills for sig nature. He continued to refuse ap- proval of December items.
 It was voted, also, that the con- troller be empowered to sign all pay rolls certified by the heads of de- partments and then the corpora tion counsel asked for an executive session in order to discuss various matters of his office ill connection with the board of finance.
 List of Items
 Following is the list of items charged by Controller Rowland as representing overdrafts of appro- priations in the various city depart mentS:
 Department and Amount of Appropriation Overdraft Mayor
 Office supplies .......$ 15.0O Office salaries ...... 93.62 Office equipment* ..." 10000 City Controller
 Salaries ..>............ 5,9s6.47 Fees for departmental l audlJS ........,...... 5,14O.OO 1 Auditing accounts by c.
 P. A. ................ 25,364.59 Office supplies .... 808,44 Tax Collector
 Accounting services" .. 6,300.00 City Treasurer
 -S'O Old Age Assistance
 Salaries ............... 483.27 Office supplies ........ 1,13874 Legal
 Salaries ............... 1922 Travelling expenses ... 1,545.31 Court costs .....,.. 24,775.4 Damages and awards ., 12,592.17 City Clerk
 Salaries .............. s3.9s Advertising ......,... 5000 Engineering Department
 Salaries .e............. l,706.44 City Court
 Salaries -.,.....,...... s.2oS.4o