Waterbury Democrat., 1901-04-03
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Board of Health May Investigate the
 Great Brook Case.

The board of public works held q meeting yesterday afternoon, Mayor kilduff presiding, and there being present Commissioners Whiting, Ma nancy, Blakeslee, Scully, Superinten- dent Kelley of the street department, Superintendent O'Brien of the bureau of water, Engineer Cairns and City Clerk NJ. J. Ryan.
 The clerk read the following peti- tions, referred to the board by the al- dermen: James Thompson ct al. for layout and grade of Bridge street from Baldwin to Dublin; Thomas k. Halp1n, sewer extension on Sylvan avenue and Washington street; Charles Bronson ct al, for electric lights on Highland ave nue: O. A. Valentine ct al, electric light corner of Highland avenue and Ledgeside avenue: Emil c. Stelnman ct al, sewer and water main, Walnut to Oak street; N. F. Hansen ct al, crosswalk on Hill street. from Burton to North Main; Henry Tubbs, for ac- ceptance of layout of Starytew street between West Main street and High land avenue; ". D. Richardson ct al, for raising and widening of street and bridges on Wolcott road easterly or North Main street.
 At the last outing the board looked over the ground on Washington street and Sylvan avenue, and being con- yersant with the situation there It was voted to cite in the property owners on April 16 to be heard in the prem iseS.
 The matter of a water main in Washington street was referred to the engineer for an estimate of expense. All the other petitions were put on the list for investigation.
 The Hellmann Brewing Go asked permission to swing banner across South Main street at Scoyin street TOT two weeks, commencing April 4. The matter was referred to the superln- tendent of streets for investigation and report. It seemed to be generally understood that the banner referred to was a book beer advertisement, and in reference to it MT Whiting said: T think we should draw the line at that. God knows no one will accuse me or being preiudiced against beer or those who sell it, but at the same time l don't want to see the public streets plastered with signs advertising book beer. What is there wonderful about it any way? Why, they're behind the times I had some book two weeks ago. I have no objection to q banner calling attention to a fair, picnic or anything in that line, but object to having the streets used for advertising purposes by private individuals or cor porations. especially people who can afford to pay for such advertising as they need. If we act favOrably on this we don't know where it will end. Other brewers and agents for brewers may Ering similar petitions before this board and if iIle present one should be granted naturally yau VIII have to fol- low suit ls-iAi; the ntael. and the next thing vel fesr :s that even the old residents da.st recognize the town. It will lock like sine place in China. Let the prtif.c.'ess do their advertising through tba newspapers. This board has refused to allow business men to put signs iii the walks in front of their stores and if it wants to be consistent it should not allow the streets to be nSed for any such purpose"
 A communication was received from City Attorney Kellogg regarding the cIty's rights in the matter of the pro- -posed covering of Great brook. 1t stated. that the property owners at either side own to the middle of the stream. and that in case the board of public health should declare 1t a nuis- ance and so report to the aldermen, the latter board could then order such changes made there as it deemed neces- sary. It also stated that all investIga- ton relative to the proposed work should be made by the board of health.
 That's worth a dollar" said Com missioner Blakeslee- ..I wonder what our friend Cross will say about that He always contended that 1t was the duty of tbis board to make the inves- tIgatiOn and on one occasion stated, 5okingly. of course, that We were idi- otie because we had not gone ahead with It."
 Commissioner Whiting: "Did he mean the whole of usY'
 AIT Mahaney::: '.I suppose so; he made no exceptions"
 MT Scully: Il move that MT Cross be requested to appear before this board and apologize for all the harsh things he has said of the board of pub lie works in connection with this Great brook question:
 Mayor Kilduff: "Oh, I don't sup- pose any one feels very badly hurt over what has been said on the mat ter. If there's no objection the com munieation will be received and trans mitted to the aldermen. A vote to this effect was passed.
 Plumbers licenses were granted to Henry Weyand and Sidney V. Hole
 The city engineer submitted com- munications from engineers in AIassa- hcusetts, New York and Illinois reIa- tive to the grades on which yitrified bricks are used in their cities. Some of them use the bricks on grades as steep as 10h per cent. The highest proposed here is not over s per cent. The communications were received and placed on file. On motion of Com missioner Whiting the board voted to recommend that bicycle path be con structed on North Main street at an estimated cost of $250.
 It was voted that property owners on West Main street, south side, from Leayenworth street to the end of the green, and on Phoenix avenue from East Main street to Abbott avenue. and on North Main street from the square at Cherry street to Elizabeth street. be notified to make all necessary sewer, water and gas connections prior to June 10, 1901, in preparation for the new paving.
 The engineer was instructed to ad- vertiSe for bids for the construction of surface water drainage in Sunny side avenue, Drayer and Green streets, bids to be received up to April 30
 The work ordered by the aldermen Monday night was referred to Superin- tendent Kelley and Superintendent