Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-27
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
North Main Street Bicycle Path Still 7, Under Discussion.


 meeting last night. Mayor kilduH pre- siding and all the members being pres ent except MT Blakeslee. The continued hearing of the pro- posed paving of West Main street to the west end of the green was taken up and concluded. It was voted 10 recommend to the aldermen that pub lie necessity and convenience require that West Main. street between the points mentioned herein be paved with sheet asphalt.
 Property owners on Edward street were called and heard regarding the layout and grade of that street. All who appeared>favored the project, but Judge Cole, who acted as spokesman for nearly all the property owners. thought that in case the work should be ordered done the abuting property should not be assessed to meet the ex- pense. The chair wanted to know why and stated that the people in that street had been at work for some time to get the city to take hold of the 1oD, and now that there appears to be dis position to push it he hoped nothing would be done on the part of those Interested to retard the progress of the work. The question of benefits and damages. he said. would be determined by the bureau of assessment and re- fcrred to the aldermen as the charter
 
 lowed in all other city streets. new or old. where improvements of this kind are ordered by the board of aldermen. The judge was of the opinion that in asmuch as the people have been pay ing taxes for so many years and re ceiyed nothing ill return for the same. that it would be but fair to give them the street now without any cost ex-' cept what they will have to pay for laying sidewalks. To this the chair replied that this whole matter is GOV. cred by law and that the same order obtains in streets that have been pub lie highways since the city was incor- porated as with ones that are just being opened. all go 10 the bureau of assessment and from that board to the aldermen. The board of public works simply gives the property owners a nearing and designates such land as is 10 De taken for proposed improvements. It has nothing to do with the mat ter of benefits and damages No ac- ton was taken. but in all probability the board will act favorably on the petition at some future session.
 John F. Carey appeared before the hoard and Was heard in regard to a proposed change, of. the course of a hrook through his property on Williams street. The stream has it's source on the high hills above Laurel street and runs through the lots to Williams street and thence across lots to Kenyon street. It overtOws during heavy rain ana does considerable damage to Dri- vale property and the city is cOntem- platlhg some important Improvements in the culvertS it passes through at Laurel and Williams streets. While the work is in hand. AIr Carey would like to change the course of the water on his property. "hlch would lengthen the distance of 'ne culFeft the city will have to lay, apout two feet. He would meet all 'he additional cost the city would be put 10 on account of the change. En- gineer Cairns said that the nIon 1os all right from an engineering stand polnt. Mayor Kilduff had no objection 10 me proposition. but he considered Il great benefit to NIr Carey and "in1ed to know what he was M1lllnS to pay for the privilege adding mat the city was out for the doII,r Just the same as any other corporation NIT carey could not see why he should De asked to pay for the diversion of tue water on ms own property so long as the city would be out nothing by it but the mayor and most of the ofber members took his honor's view of the matter and it was finally decided to reIef IT to committee consisting of Commissioners Whiting and Chesson Tor investigation and report.
 There was no opposition to the Deti- tioh TOT the extension of Kenyon street to Williams street, but of conrso the people whose land would be taken In case the street goes through would want to be paid for it. Anthony Blackburn would lose q valuable lot and be obliged to move his house. He estimated the damages at S2,5OO. John Hyiand said that the layout would danaSe him to the extent of at least S3-UO: No action was taken.
 Commissioner Mahaney brought m the matter of gates at the Porter street crossing and the Jewelry street oues ton. The mayor stated that the city attorney will present a motion at the next meeting of the aldermen request ing the railroad commissioners to hold a meeting to consider the matter of gates at Porter street and that nroh. ably this may lead to some new de velopments in the Jewelry street ex- tension case This pleased Mir Ma. nancy very much and during the re. mainder of the meeting he was wreath. ed in smiles.
 Commissioner Whiting made an. other effort to get a bicycle path on North Main street. east side, between
 
 argued his case with such skill that al one time it looked as if he was going to gain his point, Mayor Kilduff saiC he had no particular objection to the bicycle path. but that it was q matte, which would have to be recommended to the board of aldermen and that be fore, doing this the board should have an estimate of the expense. After s long debate the matter was finally re fQrrQd fO Mir Cairns fOr an aStirno f. of the cost.
 The mayor brought up the matter o surface water on Baldwin street a Luke street and at his suggestion i was voted to refer it to a committed consisting of Engineer Cairns ant Superintendent Kelley for investiga tfon and report. 'What about Rail road Hill street. MT Mayor?'' inquired Commissioner Mahaney. This result ed in another long chat and after som, exchange of opinions 1t was voted t, refer the matter to the engineer ant