New Britain Herald Newspaper, March 3, 1916, Page 7

NEW, BRITAIN DAILY HERALD, FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 1916. Finance and Taxation Board Begins Work on Estimates * First Hearings Given to Public Works and Safety Boards —But Little Cutting Suggested—May Approve Fire Department Motorization Proposition. Prepared to blow the chaff from jhe wheat, the board of finance and xation got together last evening for its first session on the biggest budget of expenses the city has ever faced. Chairman F. S. Chamberlain presided and a majority of the mem- bers were present. From 8 to 9 «o’clock was devoted to the board of public works and from 9 until after 0 o’clock was given up to Clerk A. ¥. Magnell of the board of public safety, who explained in detail the needs of the fire and police depart- ments with a special report on the ¢uestion of thoroughly motorizing the fire department and putting it on a permanent footing. Board of Public Works, City Engineer W. H. Hall and Chairman E. N. Humphrey of the Loard of public works explained that department’s needs. Mr. Humphrey is a member of both the board of public works and the board of finance and taxation. Bridges was the first matter broachéd for which $5,100 is asked. In answer to -Mr. Chamberlain’s query as to the in- crease, Mr. Hall said the Corbin avenue improvement would cost be- tween four and five thousand dollars,- it was hard to estimate accurate The railroad will pay the remainder the total cost probably The Monroe street bridge quire $2,800 said Mr. Hall is allowed for repairs. No other work is contemplated. Mr. Chamber- Iain asked if the Monroe street bridge Fad to be included and Mr. Hum- Phrey replied that it had been wanted tor several years. The department ks $14,000 for strcet cleaning and Mr. Hall eplained in detail this ex- pense. The sum of $892.44 was set for parks, but this the department Will get back. The item of $5,000 for eral repair of streets was ex- plained by Mr. Hall as being neces- sary for outside roads. nder the head of grading came the sum’ of §13,125. Of this amount $7,500 is asked for Wooster street between West Main «nd Steele streets. En- gineer Hall said it is a big job and the council had requSested that it be placed in the budget. Other grad- ing includes: Corbin avenue to Hart on Lincoln, $500; Andrews street, Greenwood to end, $200; Burritt, to Rond, on Broad, $500; Myrtle to Broad on Cleveland, $275; Burritt to Hunter on Clinton, $700; Bast Lawlor will and $300 re- being $16,000. | other $1,000 is wanted for new tools and machinery. Mr. Hall said an asphalt heater and three new rolls for the squeegees will be required. For the care of trees the estimate is placed at $1,500 Mr Humphrey re- | marked that he saw that the tree com- mission had asked for that sum and Judge Gaffney asked what relation the | tree commission bore to the board of public works. Nobedy could give a definite reply. The estimate for stréet oiling was placed at $3,000. Judge Gaffney thought as it is cheap- er to oil than sprinkle the department might save money here. Engineer Hall saia he would offer an explana- tion later in relation to sprinkling. La- ter he said the council had asked him to get figures on the cost of motor sprinkling. He had found that by buying five ton trucks at a cost of $5,800 each. With $20,000 they could | pay for the trucks, maintenance and | operation and save the expense of the squeegees, which cost $3,500 last vear. They -expect. to reiain the squeegees for emergencies. The trucks would be convertible and could be used in win- ter for hauling snow from the streets. | Mr. Abbee doubted if the trucks could be uscd in deep snows. For retaining walls the estimate was placed at $5,200. Of this amount $4,- 000 would be used on Shepherd hill jand $1,200 on Arch street. At this point Mayor Quigley who had left the meeting when it opened returned. His Honor immediately attacked the | retaining wall proposition, He thought { it could go over a year and said un- less some cutting was done a twenty mill tax would be the result. Street Lighting. Engineer Hall explained the street lighting situation. The estimate is $31,000. Many of the arc iights must be rebuilt and the lighting company proposes to replace them with better lights. 1In place of arcs a 250 candle power light is proposed. These would be used around the center of the city and on West Main, Elm and Glen streets. It is proposed to put 27 on West Main street, seven to the post office and thirteen west of that point instead of thirteen arc lights. The lights will be $10 cheaper than those used now. Eighty lights can be in- stalled at a cost of $28 apiece. Mr. Hall showed a map of the Main street area and explained that instead or sixteen arcs they can install fifty new lights betwcen eighty and 100 feet to Lasalle on Lawlor, $600; Linwood at Winthrop, $200; Monroe street ex-, tension_from Madison to - Iinwood;” $300; Pleasant to Kelsey on Sheffield, §200; Ash to Linwood on Shuttle Meadow avenue, $200; Oak to Tre mont on West, $200; Wilcox street, from end of grading, to Lasalle, $700; old town line to Lasalle on Clark, $1,050. 5 Some Macadam. “Some Macadam” exclaimed Mr. | Chamberlain when this detail was en- countered with the figures $35,460 ap- pended. He added: “it's a lot of work, can you do it?” Commissioner Ffumphrey said it could be done pro- vided they could get the money. Judge Gaffney asked about help and Mr. Humphrey said while men might prove scarce and high he believed they could be secured. The depart- inent is two years behind in its street work and some of the streets are in bad shape. Mr. Humphrey spoke of Garden, Harrison and Oak streets as txamples of streets which de- manded improvements. The list of : streets to be macadamized follows: | Elm street, North to Hurlbut ave- nue, $1,760: Myrtle to Bond on Rooth, $2,607: Fairview to Sheffield on Park Ex 2.560; Jubilee to Newington avenue on Chapman $2,300; Bast to Chapman. on Rhodes §3,200: to 269 Broad on High, $2,000 969 High to end of street, $2,100; Bast Main to Smalley on Cottage Place, $2,850; Laure] to Olive on Con- nerton, $1,380; South Main to Maple in Ash, $950; Park Bxt, to Chestnut on North Sheffield, $962; North to West on Oak, $5,100; Lincoln to Black Rack on Garden, $2,850; Lin- toln to Black Rock on Harrison, £3,250; a total of $35,460. * For concrete gutters figured and Engineer Hall said .this, smount had been put in for emer- gencies. Sometimes it is hard to get cobble stones. The city is using con- crete gutters wherever it is putting in macadam and laying curbs, Semi-Permanent Paving. Under the heading semi-permanent paving an appropriation of $26,395 is sought. It is proposed to spend $2,- 970 on Dwight street from Dwight court to East street and $5,400 on Ju- bilee beween East and Market streets. Mr. Humphrey explained that this work is to be done in connection with the double tracking of the Hartford line The trolley company has agreed to pay for the installation of curbs and Jn addition will pay for nineteen feet of the highway. The city will have to pay for the remaining fifteen feet. The work will be undertaken the first thing this spring. From Hartford avenue to Allen street on Stanley it Is proposed to spend $7,440 for semi- permanent paving. Mr. Chamberlain 250 was thought it a mistake and said Hart: ; ford avenue should have been per- manently paved. Commissioner Hum- phey differed with him. He said per- manent paving is all right where streets are built up. He didn’t consid- er Hartford avenue built up in this sense Judge Gaffney thought permanent paving too costly a proposition for the property owners on Hartford avenue. It was all right for motorists. A. N. Abbee asked if nothing was to be done with Park street this vear. He felt that this street needs attention. For repairs to tools and machinery $1,000 apart. Commissioner Humphrey said the extra $1,500 sought would pay, for ‘thé chdriges and allow for new lights to be installed. The state highway appropriation is $7,600. The board was informed that the city has a balance from other years. Mr. Chamberlain thought it wise to take full advantage of the state appropriation. The board was surprised at the amount asked for parks, the sum being $1,191.10. The anklin Square park calls for $345. Engineer Hall explained that con- siderable work is proposed there. He understood the Burritt Memorial was io be erected this year and also a drinking fountain as well as some curb work. Commissioner Kehoe said he understood the memorial was to wait until peace was declared. For | a small park at Belvidere $31 was asked. Mr. Hall said the Bodwell Land company would give this piece of land to the city provided a cop- ping was built around two sides and it was graded. Commissioner Meehan said he wouldn't favor a concrete copping as it is no us Of course, he said. I'm in the stone business and may be prejudiced. Mr. Meehan said the copping at Walnut Hill was giv- ing way. For sewer maintenance $11,000 is asked, the same as last vear. When the list had been finish- ed. Judge Gaffney sked what 2 best to cut. Commissioner Schaeffer suggested chopping out the Wooster street job and Mayor Quigley thought this jo could wait. The discussion dropped there as it was time for the safety board hearing. Safty Board Hearing. Chairman E. G. Babcock and the other members of the new board of public safety were present when the hearing was called, but the bulk of the work fell to Clerk A. E. Mag- nell, who had all the data apparently at his finger's ends. He was an en- thusiastic as a boy with a new toy when he presented the figures and tracts to show how fire department can be completely motorized and put on a permanent basis for $7,360 above last years expenditures. Mr. Magnell prefaced his arguments with the statement that the safety board had saved the finance board the trouble of cutting their estimates by pruning it before hand Taking up the fire department estimates he said that the total amount required if the city will appropriate this year for the complete motorization of the fire department is $67,368, which in- cludes $3,533 for four additional men, or $58,778 if no allowance is made for motorization. This means $8,350 more for motorizing the department. The city has an advantageous offer | from the American La France Fire Engine company to motorize now. They . will install in this city appara- ! tus to the value of $23,600. The late oard of public safety. Commissioners | Alling, Healey and Holmes, obtained 2 proposition by which New Britain would be able to buy two motor pumps of 750 gallons capacity, and chemical and hose apparatus and one combination with what is called a junior pump attachment which would have a stream capacity of 250 gallons. The present board went a step further and has an agreement with the La France company whereby the same excellent price can be obtained but it will not be necessary to ex- is sought. Engineer Hall explained that the steam roller needs repairing. An- pend all the money this year. It is possible to lease a junior pump for sum will apply on the purchase price in the next fiscal year. By entering his agreement the city will be saved the cost of feeding two horses for eight months, which would amount to about $270 and would be saved the expenditure of $700 for the purchase of a pair of horses at No. 5 station. In addition the city would obtain the working services of the driver, who now has to remain with the horses at fires. Kach of the pumps will take the place of four horses, saving $800. The services of two more men at or- dinary fires would become available. The city will also save money by not having to maintain fires to keep steam up in the steam boilers. Saving To City. The expenditure for the purchase of the new equipment. in a year's time will result in the following savings to the city: Forage for ten horses for one year, $2,000; eliminating repair expenses on horse drawn apparatus, $1,000, eliminating expenditure for three pairs of horses $2,100; total, $5,100 coal for present steamers, $100; services of five men available, $5,200; total, $10,400. The excellent offer now obtained will not be avail- able in its entirely at another time. The $500 allowance on apparatus purchased next year is in consid- eration of the purchase already made during this flscal year. This conces- sion has been extended to April 1 only. In the next fiscal vear after paying for the apparatus leased this year the city can reduce the appro- priation to the fire department $8,900. By the. purchase .of the, pumps the city’'s pump service will be greatly increased. The last tests showed the following pump capacity of the present apparatus: No. 2 steamer, weight 8,600 pounds, no horses to haul it, 505 gallons; N steamer, weighs 7,000 pounds, 322 galons; No. 4 steamer weighs 7,500 pounds, 426; total 1,253 gallons. The two large motor pumps will have a capacity of | 750 gallons each and the junior will have 250 gallons on draft or 15 per cent. more from hydrant. It is not the intention to dispose of all the horsedrawn equipment. One horse- drawn steamer will be retained.in re- serve; two horse-drawn hose wagons will also be kept. Through the change to motors it will be possible to dis- pose of nine horses which will prob- ably vield at least $1,300, and in the board’s opinion the amount should be applied to the purchase of the | equipment. The net amount neces- sary, therefore, to motorize the de- partment, over what will be needed if the department does not motorize is $7,340. New Britain has increased at least 12,000 in population in the last nine years, and 3,126 tenements have been added. Building Figures. There has been expended in build- ing operations in eight vears $9,193,- 202. There have been alterations to the value of $690,114 mostly wood construction, and 463 new brick | buildings to the -estimated value of $5,260.747. Two frame building to every brick bullding have been built in that time. The number of wooden building is 958, and the estimated value is $3,251.970. The buildings, classified according to tenements are as follows: One-tenement, 372; two- | tenements, 194; three- tenements, 322; four-tenements, 17 re-tenc- ments, 11; six-tenement seven- | tenements, 8; nine and ten-tenement twelve-tenements, 8. Classified ac- cording to the wards the building operations are as follow Wards. Valu First Second Third Fourth 165 99 183 138 602,000 1,176,000 735,980 Fifth 1,554,910 247 Sixth .. 1,242,110 303 Note the fact that through the ex- penditure of $1,100,000 in the Third ‘Ward only 310 tenements were added through the construction of 183 build- ings. Then consider that by the ex- penditure of $1,500,000 in the Fifth Ward, 1,139 tenements were provided and the number of buildings 247, only 63 more. In the Sixth Ward the num- ber of buildings was greater than in any other ward and only 844 tene- ments were added. The equipment used in the Fifth and Sixth wards, ex- cepting that golng from the central station, is horse drawn. In the opin- ian of the board conditions make im- perative the purchase of fast-going apparatus for these localities. Fire Alarms. In 1907 there were 106 calls for the fire department. Last year there were 236. Still alarms now exceed bell alarms. In 1907 there were 70 bell alarms and 36 stills. Tast year there were 73 bell and 163 stills. The sum of $3,212 was originally estimated for four additional firemen but the coun- cil Wednesday night established a new minimum grade so that if additional men are to be allowed the department must have $3,533. The same action makes necessary the asking of $85.80 additional for vacations and sickness and $182.50 for the increases in pay. Then four men are required as well as motorizing. They would be divided between Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 stations. At present during the meal hours there are not enough men in these stations to handle a line of hose. Even though the city has twenty-six permanent men for nine hours of the day, while the men are at meals there are only eleven on duty at the sta- tions. It was intended to submit a plan to establish the department on a permanent basis this year. The allowance for four permanent men and $10,500, which is the cost for the call service, would have permitted or- ganization with forty-four men. The increase in pay makes a difference of $1,084.05, and unless the board can provide the amount the step cannot be taken this year. Board Impressed. The finance board was much im pressed with Clerk Magnell's pre- sentation of the motor apparatus pro- position and Chairman Chamberlain said it looked good. Mr. Magnell supplemented his written statement with oral arguments and answered numerous questions. He declared ! a year at a rental of $1,000, which positively that the fire department " Gold Medal Sale Starts Tomorrow . Cabinets Panama -Pacific Expesition o R Hoosier unrivaled convenience won the Gold Medal at the Panama-Pacific Exposition, San Francisco, and this sale is to celebrate its leadership and let the public see the many ways that Hoosier excels. People all over America will attend this great event at the Hoosier stores and we have had to prepare weeks ahead to get a special allotment of Hoosiers from the factory for our own home folks. The sale starts tomorrow and will last all week if our supply of cabinets lasts. Those who come first are sure of being supplied at once. If you don’t want to wait for your cabinet, then please don’t put off your visit to this store. Remember there are Hoosiers for farms, camps, apartments, big and little kitch- ens, for window spaces and the center of big kitchens. No further need for old- fashioned, built-in, uncleanable cupboards. See the Demonstration of 40Labor-saving Features Every woman who wants to be' up-to-date in household affairs will want to see this demonstration. You will want to see what expert men and women have achieved in cutting your kitchen work in two. How a Hoosier lets you sit down with 400 articles all handily arranged at your fiingers’-ends. How it ends incessant walking back and forth to gather supplies and put them away each meal. We want you to see the many patente d features that have won million women. Domestic Science Experts have designed and located every Hoosier convenience exactly at your fingers’ ends. Skilled mechanics and inventors have perfected the many working features. Nothing Has Been Overlooked that could improve its convenience or add to you com- fort. That’s why a million women use and praise the Hoosier Kitchen Cabinet for the hours of time and miles of steps it saves them. You can easily roll the Hoosier about on its ball bearing casters, and the met- al sockets can’t break. These, and other Hoosier Gold Medal features, will be demonstrated to all the folks who call tomorrow. Those who are not ready to buy won'’t be expected to. We will scarcely have enough cabinets to last the week out anyway. But we want you to come and learn the inside facts about kitchen cabinets. If you missed this demonstra- tion at the San Francisco Fair, this is your chance to see what interested thousands of people. Come tomorrow and bring your friends. John A. Andrews & Co. 132 Main Street, New Britain Hoosier’s §19:50 1o $42.00 $1 on Delivery $1 Weekly No Extra Fees Money-Back $1 Weekly i Guarantee Hoosier's Full View Roll don't slide into pockets closures where dirt, and vermin collect in the. average . cabinet. Come, see how you can lift out| these doors for cleaning. Doors or en- '7‘7.. Famous Roil Door Hoosier Beauty’’ was $2,583.33. The receipts would probaly be further increased if the department had another plain clothes man who would share duty with De- tective Sergeant Bamforth and who would attend particularly to the col- lection of licens: The services of the street sergeant the to the opinion th them ‘an offi . could be motorized and with the ad- Jeoard sed dition of four permanent men at a ard cost of $3,533 could be put on a | permanent basis. At present only 11 | men are on duty at noon. He favor- ed abolition of the callmen, but Judge Gaffney said the charter provided for them. It was suggested the charter be changed. Judge Gaffney thought |at night have proven valuable and in the opinion of Chief Rawlings an- this action should be initiated by the | common council. He asked Mayor | other should be appointed. One street Quigley if he thought the property | sergeant is unable to visit all the of- owners would be able to save on in- | ficers on their beats at night. The surance if the proposition was adopt- | complain received in the last three ed. The mayor thought money could | years classified according to wards are as follows: First Ward, 698; be saved on insurance. ond Ward, 547 Third Ward, Police Appropriation.’ 3 Taking up the police estimates | Fourth Ward, 1,177; Fifth Ward, 1,466; Sixth Ward, 1,713, Clerk Magnell said the payroll was figured to the penny He presented The appropriation for the fire and the following recommendation police signal, repair and construction There is urgent necessity for an in- | accounts this year 1is larger thuan e in the police department. Sev- | heretofore on account of the con struction of the Lafavette and I13ha of the existing beats are too large to insure proper police protec- | street subways. The lines will have to be placed underground or el tion We should have ten men this year. The accepted basis of police | we will become viclators of our own city ordinances. We recommend to protection is one officer to every 1,- 000 inhabitants. New Britain has | your board that the sum of $1,100 forty-two officers and men now. W¢ [ be included in vour estimates of payrolls for an a ant to Superin- should have at least fif couple of matters ind tendent Cooley. His inspection duties growth of the city. Tn take up a great deal of time which Rawlings reported 1, | might well be devoted to the care Last year he reported of his system.' New Britain has $10,- year the number will 019 tied up in fire signal em than that. The police there being sixty-five alarm boxes | lection of licenses and | and forty-five miles of wiring. In | 1908 the receipts amounted to §1.C the sig system New Britain year the revenuc they turned has ted There cight- expres g It is intended during the coming year to accumulate maps of the subway and procure other in- formation pertaining to the subwry system. Mr. Magnell of run cover somé would have to CITY HALL ESTIMATES, 5 explained varionus nmission has cod items under the police heading the finance board The increase cost for regular police is $5,424 and for supernumerary police $1,0006 There is an increase of $400 for this service, which can be figured in thic estimated income. Repairs to (he signal system were estimated at $4,- 0. M Magnell answering Judge Gaffney said th ‘was much the same as with the fire department Nev underground installation accounted for much City Electr an Cooley i had asked for automobile conveyancc hut the board cut this item out whigh would have amounted to $400. Iuel to heat the patrol room at the police station was figured at $100. Mr. | Magnell aid it w necessary heat thi building a man sleeps there and it has to be warm on ac- count of the patrol wagon. The boord cut this figure to $50 The call for ten new petrolmen was explained at length by Mr. Ma { nell, who used a chart to iliustr the patrol work now showing the numer of complaints received from each ward If the new 1en llowed they will be appointed The board was impressed the fact that some of the police bea are much too long. One member The City hall co L0 | piled its ¢ in tes for the year as fd | at i lows | Interest fuel, $2,800; el | tric lighting and gas, $900; insurang ’SI\H* Jabor, for superintendent’s $1,200; firemen, $1,100; el men, $1,200; cleaning, $1,20) rent to railroad, $60; m repairs»$300; carting, $1 300: building. repa 24 valves for ecéipts I¥o $8,600; ary tor passway chine; incidental $800; regul apa .rs, $1007 total, $19,0005 rents, $14,900,, balance from. last $100; appropriation tb be asked ¥d $4,000. The figures are '$2,500 than last vear. Margaret Kennedy Disappears Home Hély GOcs 19 Collingy Margaret Rennedy, the 12 daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. 1 nedy of Elm'stret who was reporté vesterday a$ missing since Tuesds was subsequently Tocated in Colling ville where she was with relative! The little girl was brought back her home in this today. 1908 complaint 2,394 and th be even larg have the col whereas with polic [ inve last are city