Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-11-15

"OrkS ta1lSs
 Mayor Webster called to order the ad- Journed regular meeting of the board of alderman last night, there being present Aldermen Webster, Begnal, Thompson, Barlow, Cross, Guernsey and Vail. The mayor stated to the board that he had a communication which he desired to have read and transmitted to the other board. The communication was in the shape of special message from his honor, based principally upon an opinion of the city attorney, which opinion was also read,
 The communication contained in part the following: ''That unless the coun- Gil acts with the water board the city cannot take the water needed for it's use from the Mad river or it's tributaries without the consent of it's owners, As the water board favors not Mad river sources, but Hop brook, there is no like lihood of being able to act in concur renee. Itis unfortunate that the work Of the special committee involving a waste of several thousand dollars and much time has therefore accomplished no good. Three things remain for you to consider: whether you will rescind your former vote, approve of the plans of the board of water commissioners and empower that board to carry out it's
  the Mad River Water Power company for the purchase of it's rights in Chestnut hill brook, or Lindsley brook; or whether you will look to the legislature for authority to carry out the plan you have already adopted" The necessity of immediate action was urged, and the desire of the people to have the water from the Wolcott streams was ad- mitted; but the city attorney advised that the council has no power to act ex- cept by purchase, unless the water board concurs. Two reasons are given why Mad river plans should be rejected by the council-the great expense, and embarrassment to corporations along that stream. The city attorneys coun- sel to act with the water board was urged. The different sources were dwelt on at length and the mayor asked the council to consider whether the interests they represent could be best subserved by longer delay and the attempt to carry out some plan which may or may not be impossible, or by approving the plans of the board of water commissioners and giving them authority to begin work at once.
 The communication and opinion of the city attorney were accepted and transmitted to the lower board.
 The petition for the extension of Vine street sewer was referred to the sewer board. The petition to have the outlet of the main sewer near Washington bridge removed to the city limits was also referred to that board. The recommendation that a hydrant be placed on West Main street near the horse car stable, was adopted. The ap- preparation for new fire engine house was referred to the board of finance. Crosswalks were ordered to be laid on East Main street near the residence of John Hannon, and on the west line of North Elm at Water street. The plank walk on Washington aver u from South Leonard to South Riverside street, was ordered laid. The recommendations of the road board that Manhan street be graded and sidewalks laid, and that Park place be widened to forty feet, were ordered done, the former to be finished before June 1, the latter before January 1. Sperry street was ordered brought to grade given. The estimates of road and sewer boards were referred to the board of finance. A sewer was ordered laid in North street. The South street sewer was ordered extended southerIy 16O feet. The water main was ordered extended from Ward to Walnut street, and on Walnut to Locust street. A four iuch ma in was ordered on West Grove and the Farm street main extended beyond the St Paul's M. E. church.
 The committee on lamps and gas re- ported it's cost of lighting the city as $22, ,5OO and the matter was referred to the board of finance. The report of the board of compensation on the change of grade at the corner of Baldwin and River streets was adopted.
 A ballot was taken for a member of the board of health to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of F. A | Spencer, and City Enginer Cairns was unanimously chosen for the position.
 The report of the special committee on granting permission to the street rail | way to use electricity as a motive | power was brought in from the council | in an amended form and read, when it ! was laid on the table. 6
 At the direction of the mayor the re- | port of the water commissioners, re- lating to the order of the common | council directing the board to take steps | to procure the new water supply from | eastern sources, was accepted and | placed on file
 Alderman Cross then moved that the | previous vote of the board of aldermen | in this direction be rescinded.
 Alderman Webster opposed the mo- tion saying: "It is a singular condition | with which we are confronted tonight | this report of the city attorney, at | this late day, that we have no right to | take a supply of water from this source. | But until we have made some effort to | take that water by contract, and a re- port from somebody authorized by thls council to inquire into the purchase of Chestnut hill and Lindley brooks is re- ceived, am opposed to resembling that vote. l don't think that the people con- nor did the council contem- plate that we should be met with this opposition from the board of water had no idea but that the water commissioners would concur and do all in their power to procure this supply. Now because of their pride of opinion, or something else, they insist on standing on their dignity and will adhere to their own opinions and take no other. I should be in favor of trying to procure the Mad river SUD- ply by contract. am surprised at our mayor to recommend Hop brook, when l have reason to know that you con-