The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-03-06

In tWDeRANb BNHhNH kANNtb WIG
hlghllghts Of the annual reports
Of each city department as sub
mltted TO Mayor John s. MOnagan
and reported BY him 70 the Board
Of Aldermen Monday night;
City Plan Commission
The principal achievement OF the
City Plan Commission was the pub
lioatlon of the Six Year Plan for
Capital Improvements which is
noteworthy throughout the country
and represents a definite step for
ward In Waterbury financial pro-
gress. For the flrst time O real Cap
ital Budget has been established on
q practical basis. Other vital pro-
jects upon which this Commission
is working include study Of re-
zoning conditions and planning for
handling trafflc ana parking prob
lens. The cooperation between this
department and the Police Depart
rlent represents q heartening eX-
ample Of collaboration TO reduce
trafilc accidents.
City Sheriff
The City Sheriff has expanded the
usefulness Of his once by assisting
In the collection OF delinquent taxes
and assessments and has figured
greatly in the progress made in this
department.
Tax Collector
The Tax Collector has carried on
his activities with conspicuous sue
cess having collected $50 percent Of
the 1914 Grand List before January
81, 1916. Later collections have in
creased this percentage to 80 per-
cent.
Progress has also been made in
the collection OF delinquent taxes
This branch Of the Tax Collectors
ONCE has brought In payments far
exceeding its cost Of operation.
The detailed schedules accom-
panying the report show, speciflca-
ally, the progress that has been
made in clearing back taxes and as
sessnents on the books through coll
lection.
Department Of Education
Although this department is not
wholly under your jurisdiction, you
Will be interested TO know of the
progress that has been made. The
selection of the new Superintend-
ent has met with universal approval
and he has been prompt to initiate
wholesome and needed improve
ments. Important steps taken before
his incumbency we're the appoint
ment Of psychologist, the strength
ening Of the Attendance Offlcers'
Department and the beginning Of
audio-visual education. More re-
Gently there has been emphasis up
on the strengthening Of the super
vision Of the department through
meetings, testing and comparison
Of results.
1t should be noted that the overall
school attendance has continued to
drop. A decrease of nearly one-third
has occurred in both high schools
and grammar schools in a ten year
period.
An interesting development in
this department will be the survey
invited to be made by the State
Of Education.
OF greatest interest is the main
tenance and repair program carried
out over the past three years at an
annual cost approXimating $780,
900. This expenditure has been hard
to make but it has been necessary
to keep our schools in proper con-
dition.
Engineering
The Engineering Department, in
spite Of shortages Of help, carried
ON several important projects during
1874. Plans to permit the resumption
Of q prompt and substantial sewer
program were prepared
and some four miles of sanitary
sewers laid. In conjunction with the
revaluation, complete renovation
of city and land maps was had and
title abstracts of all real estate in
.he city were made. Supervision of
he extensive school repair program
vas carried on as well as prepare
ion OF plans and specifications for
'epairs in other departments. Sur
'eys OF suggested airport sites were
carried out and overall estimates of
costs were made.
Fire Department
The report Of the Fire Depart
nent shows a substantial drop in |
he number OF alarms and a marked |
decrease In the amount OF FIRE losses.
The program OF renewing equipment |
vas continued by the purchase of a
Utility truck for the Bureau OF Fire
Alarm.
Health Department
Progress has been made in this
department. in the appointment OF |
supervisor OF nurses, the appoint
ne OF milk and food inspector and !
meat and dairy inspector. In adj
Iition. the child hygiene program |
las been expanded BY cooperation
lith the Visiting Nurses Assoeia-
ION, Personnel practices were inn
'roved by the establishment OF
minimum qualifications for appoint
nents TO the department.
Legal Department
The work OF this department, 4
In the field OF litigation,
las been particularly successful and