The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-03
Mayor Scully Backs
 Up National Defense
(Continued from Page 1.)

ble for the expenditure of approxi- mately two million dollars and has religiously adhered to the very strict charter provision requiring that contracts be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.
 The tax collectors office has been extremely busy during the current year and for the first time in the history of old age tax legislation, the tax collector has collected more than the state has requested us to pay; the tax col- lector has further diligently per- formed the unpleasant task of collecting taxes many years in ar- rears. It is hoped that back taxes may eventually be reduced to a minimum and that in the future not only people who are current tax payers will receive notice of the fact that there are back taxes due the city, but likewise those who are not presently the owners of taxable property. The tax department is expected to reach a precedent-breaking total of 96% collection of current taxes. TAXPAYERS GET
 MAJOR CREDIT
 This latter accomplishment, of course, shows a great deal of work and activity on the part of the tax collector and his staff, but it goes without saying that credit for this achievement is due the taxpaying public of the city of Waterbury, who have evidenced such outstanding cooperation in paying taxes as to make this rec- ord possible. The tax collectors office, like many others, is ham, pered by the lack of space and the question is now being studied by a committee of the board of finance with the thought in mind to consolidate all tax offices. The start on this idea was made when the welfare department was moved to the Welton school, resulting in an increased efficiency of opera tion and the elimination of con- gestion. The basemen quarters of the welfare department were then available for other departments, but in cooperation with the na- tional government, they have been reserved for selective service head quarters.
 There are many things that could be made the subject of a detailed discussion at this time, but I am sure that you are all to great extent familiar with these matters. You know that the city government is expected to op- crate during the current fiscal year within the 1940 budget and that, as a matter of fact, a substantial surplus will be available for the first time in many years of our history. You know that the comptroller,s office has instituted a practice of taking discounts wherever possible, so that sub stantial saving has been effected by this practice and that with the cooperation of the board of fi- nance, our bills have been paid very promptly. You also know that one of the questions that has been discussed during the current year has been the ques- tion of time off for members of the fire department and that the board of fire commissioners pro- poses to institute a system where by members of the department will have a day off every other week, without loss of pay, the idea being that it is not advisable to reduce the fire personnel during the night time in the winter season, whereas the arrangement can be made without loss of effi- ciency during the daytime. You all know that the street depart ment is about to complete a very active year in which an unprece- dented amount of routine work was done and performed in a very efficient and economical manner. You likewise know that the defense program has Strik- ingly brought to the minds of our citizens the fact that our water supply in Litchfield county comes to us by means of one pipeline, which has been in operation for approximately fifty years with out repair, and that it is urgent that we devise ways and means to secure an additional pipeline WATER RENTS
 NOT ADEQUATE
 You likewise know that the water charges paid by consumers of water do not begin to pay the costs of operating our water sys- tenn and to that end survey is to be instituted in relation to water rents and other related mat ters with the end in view that the water department may be able to pay it's own way. You are familiar with the fact that committees are in existence charged with the duty of reporting on the collec- ton of ashes and refuse. We further contemplate having a sur- vey made of the question of reval- uation of property assessments, wages Of city employees, the very important question Of sewerage disposal, which matter has been repeatedly called C cur ettcE. ton by the state water commits sion. the ever increasing problem of local housing. the necessity of which has. to very large extent.