My grandfather, Pierre J. Laramee served as the mayor of Willimantic 1935 - 1941. He also served in the Connecticut State House of Representatives from 1917-1918, and 1923-1924 and as a Connecticut State Senator from 1937 to 1942. One of the items I inherited was a copy of the “Annual Statement of the Mayor of the City of Willimantic” for 1941. It provides a fascinating look at the city and, with the city’s fiscal year ending on November 25, 1941, it was published less than two weeks before the United States entered into WWII. The booklet contains a detailed auditor’s report and reports from six department heads. The “Mayor’s Message” comes first and reads, “I have the honor to transmit herewith detailed reports of the several departments, together with receipts, expenditures, assets, liabilities and a complete financial statement.” After a quick review of each department’s accomplishments and a thank you to each, the Mayor concludes, “ I cannot but feel that…we have much to congratulate ourselves on, both in respect to the quality of the work done (and) the reasonableness of the expenditures necessitated by that work. I wish to express appreciation to the several departments for the cooperation and good will extended to me.” Following the Mayor’s words, the auditor, H.A. Tillinghast Co., presented a 44 page report. The auditors found that, “the various city officials, in general, have conducted their office for the welfare of the city…”. During the fiscal year, income was $192,605. Of that amount, $174,870 was raised by the 13 mill property tax on total property values of $14,815,812 (app $262 million today).  Expenses were $189,263.
     Following the auditor’s report, the department heads’ reports were given. Alexis Caisse Jr., the Superintendent of Streets led off with his report. At that time, the department had a Superintendent and assistant, six truck operators, one equipment operator, ten laborers, one mechanic and one sewer attendant. Sup’t. Caisse mentioned not only the normal work done by the department but also made reference to some special projects. He said that, “(O)ne of our principal achievements was the rebuilding of a portion of Mansfield Avenue. The work began at Handfield Avenue and proceeded in a northerly direction for approximately 1,000 feet. It was necessary to lower the grade as much as five feet in some portions”. Gravel sidewalks were constructed and graded and finally, ”a properly graded and oiled surface road was added to our several miles of streets”. (The results of that work can still be seen on the west side of Mansfield Avenue in that area.) Sup’t. Caisse then went on to say that the patching of road surfaces was a priority and that he suggested an “armor coat treatment” of tar or asphalt and sand be applied to every street because of, “the economical maintenance cost, stability and wearing quality of this pavement”. Jackson Street was also resurfaced from Main Street to Maple Avenue. The city’s parks also fell under Sup’t. Caisse’s purview. He was unhappy that the W.P.A. project at Rec Park had been curtailed since that meant that it could not be used that year but was also pleased that the city had provided funds so that the park could be opened again the following year. While the baseball diamonds could not be used, Caisse was happy that the Ice Skating Rink was able to operate and assured the Mayor that it would be open again in the Winter. Superintendent Caisse then concluded by saying, “(T)he inventory of this Department has been completed and it pleases me to say state that all equipment is in good condition and ready to render complete service to the community.”
     Chief of Police Grant Bombria’s report was next. He began by saying that 551 arrests had been made and 1,249 complaints investigated and adjusted by his officers. The department consisted of Chief Bombria, Captain Frederick Laramie, Lieutenant Roderick Lariviere, seven patrolmen and twenty supernumeraries. The Chief was pleased that, “new equipment had been added. The arsenal now consists of a high powered rifle, a machine gun, gas gun, riot gun and gas grenades and gas masks”. A call box system had been added and was operational and a new fingerprint system had been installed. Chief Bombria concluded by thanking the city leadership for their cooperation. We’ll continue looking at this report next week. This week’s shows the Mansfield Avenue road work mentioned by Superintendent Caisse in progress. The photo is looking north in the vicinity of 235 Mansfield Avenue. Visit “threadcity.us” for more photos and articles and to discover more facts about Willimantic, Windham and surrounding towns