The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-12-05
Over Million In Revenue Needed Besides Property Taxes
Further Economies Seen By PerielIo

Mayor Patrick M. Portfolios an- nual message to the board of al dermen, submitted last night, fol- lows in full;
 TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF WATERBURY:
 l am hereby submitting the an- nual reports of the departments in accordance with Section 12 of an act amending the charter of the City of Waterbury contained in the Special Acts of the State of Connecticut-l93o Session. Page 649.
 Since these reports cover the period up to Augugst 30th and since I did not take office until September 2nd l do not propose to engage into any detailed dis- cussion of these reports, but will limit myself in calling your at- tention to a few matters with which I have concerned myself during my few months in office. As regards to all other matters l refer you to an examination and study of the reports themselves as submitted to me.
 1. On the very first day I took office the city was faced with a complete shut down of the Street Department for lack of funds. Their entire yearly appropria- ton had been spent during the first eight months of this fiscal year. This was a challenge which I immediately accepted. Drastic economies were put into operation with the immediate result that the personnel of the Street De- partment were assured of work for five days per week for the remainder of the year.
 I selected as head of this de- partment an engineer with years of experience, In the person of MT. Scott-Smith chose an ex- pert to tackle difficult job of reorganizing the department and gave him full power to carry on a well thought out program. In conjunction with MT. Scott-Smith we set up a general plan and working schedule for the cleaning and improving of our streets.
 With the studies made in the Street and Water Departments 1t has been possible to effect a com bined saving of $79,000.00 in the budget for 1940.
 Further studies should be made in the matter of moving furniture for the Welfare Department and to the question whether the Street Department should continue to repair cars for other departments. l believe more economies can be effected in this respect.
 II. The Welfare Department was likewise depleted of funds. In order to survive for the rest of the year the department was in need of $80,00000. I immediately realized how serious this matter was and steps were taken to pro- vide funds for those in need. By strict economies in all other de- partments sufficient funds were gathered to keep this department going so far and ] hope to be able to effect savings to carry the department through the remain der of the year.
 did not have sufficient time to undertake q complete survey of this department. However, a study and survey was made by the personnel Of the Mutual Aio Unemployment Fund Inc. Some recommendations were made and funds were set up to carry out these recommendations in 1040.
 III. A word should be said ii1 regard to the Tax Commissioners Office. There can be no dispute that this department Is of the ut- most importance in the proper functioning of the city govern ment. The principal source of revenue is based upon calcula- tons made in this office and