The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-09-05


 deFmen. The chamber was filled tC capacity with an overflow of inter- ested spectators mostly firemen ane policemen finding standing room ir the corridor,
 sulllvan's Vote
 There was plenty of speculation prior to the meeting, It was freely predicted that Alderman Martin F Sullivan, Democrat, would cast his vote with the Republicans. The question which gained in inpor- tanee, concerned the possibility of Republican aldermen going along with the administration forces, When the roll-eall came, Alderman Sullivan voted aS expected and the Republicans went down the line in party formation, ranks intact and an unanimous vote on their part in favor of the iiremen and poliee- mons petition, It was MT. 9uili- vans pay-eff for being dropped from the Democratic ticket,
 The city hall echoed with the cheers, Whlstling and cries of the jubllaht firemen and policemen and their friends,
 Those Voting
 The meeting opened with the board by an 0 to ' vote refusing to adopt the recommendation Of the special fiVesInAn committee which met last Friday evening with spons sers Of the measure. The eonfnits tee was opposed to the adoption of the resolution stating that the beard of aldermen has no power to amend the charter in the mans Iler proposed and grant special eX- eFnptien to the firemen and peliee- men, in respect to pension privilege,
 The majority report was signed by James M, Lynch, Harold A, Ashs Icy and Martin ], Tehan, Defnos erats, The minority report bore the signatures Of James W. AbeFs eFombie and William deraFdi, Re. pubiieans, and recommended the adoption of the resolutin, With the aid Of Alderman Sullivan the Re- pubiieans gained the adoption Of the minority report,
 The amendment stipulates that the pension law should not apply to fiFemen and policemen now il the service in the city or on leave Of absence in the Armed Forces. It contained provisions for new aps pointees after Jan, 1, i040. The ex- einption Is sought to permit firef1en and policemen to retire on the 2b. year plan as has been in effect for some years, ft also exempts them from Q proposed increase ln assess- fnents, The bill as passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Raymond E. Baldwin cons tains such provisions which meet with vigorous objections on the part of both local departments,
 Private Joseph Maloney of the fire department was the official spokesman for his comrades last evening and in reviewing the hiss tory of the pension fight, intimated that the proper consideration had not been given by the city to fires men end policemen. He claimed that both departments got e cold shoul- der and the customary run around" in Hartford. He called attention to the fact that the period of service had been extended and that fires men and policemen's weekly cons tribution had been jumped to five per cent. The present rate k 2 pee cent. He urged the aldermen to adopt the resolution and permit the voters and taxpayers of Waterbury to decide the issue.
 Alderman Lynch urged cautious action so that in haste the privi- leges of the firemen and policemen would not be endangered. He ques. toned the adVIsability of the move and declared that adoption of the resolution might cause the flEemen and policemen might suffere seVeTe- ly from such Q move. There were certain legal phases which had to be carefully considered and in some instances faithfully compiled with if Ihe employees Of the city would es- cape being penaiized.
 Alderman Richard D. Benson, newly appointed chairman of the Republican Town Committee, and Alderman Joseph Reiner spoke in 'avor of the amendment. The ormer referred to the action of the aldermen in recently passing a esolution calling for the payment # @ 5000 annual pension to former of Schools pr. Thomas J. Condon. There was no ear-sheddIng at that time," the j. o. P. leader remarked.
 Members of both fire and police departments were checking on legal spects of the controversy today so hat in event they have been fol- owing the wrong tip and Alderman ,ynch had the right perspective hey wanted to be in a position to ct quickly and avoid any embar- assing situations. However. the majority of members slt that they were pursuing the roper course and were hopeful that | he mayor would permit the issue be placed on the voting machines 'r the approval or rejection by the mA Il.