Waterbury Democrat., 1901-09-10
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
Had Stormy and Interesting Session Last Night.

Ing last night, Chairman Hall presld- Ing and all the members being present except MT Kane who is on the SICK list It was stormy session and dur ing the heated discussion regarding electric lights Aldermen Walker and White let the cat out of the bag witn reference to a deal entered into last fall between the republican members of the board and Aldermen Mahaney and Phelan as to where the electric lights to be placed in the outside dls- trict this year should be located ana faunted the democrats for not keeping their word. This and the run in on the recommendation of the board of public works that sidewalks be placed on Bridge street were the principal points of interest in the meeting
 The following communication was received from the mayor and read by the clerk:
 To the Honorable Board of Aldermen
 of the City of Waterbury:
 Gentlemen: I herewith return to you without my approval the resOlu- fion passed by your honorable board, August 19, 1901, ordering that the sum of $S9S be paid to Robert and Alice Walker in full settlement of any and all claim for loss, cost. expense or damage sustained by them by reason of water entering the cellar of their store and causing consequent injury to goods stored or placed therein. etc.
 The question of responsibility for damage sustained by reason of surface water is an especially important She to the city, and the settlement of claims for such damage should be thoroughly considered. and every ele- ment of doubt as to the city's liability removed, before settlement outside of court should be favored.
 The city only recently, after long and costly litigation was successful be- fore the supreme court in the cases of D. B. Wilson ct al. against the city. for all damages caused by the floods of 1896 and 1897 and indirectly involving the liability of the city for any flood damage from Little Brook at any time during the six years previous to the . decision.
 l am of opinion that the above men, toned contained many of the elements entering into the claims for damages under consideration. and without de- siring to differ with you or the opin- ion of the law committee. believe that the wise and best policy for the city to pursue in the premises. is to let the question of liability be passed upon by some competent tribunal.
 Your further consideration of the matter is respectfully requested.
 E. G. KILDUFF, Mayor.
 Alderman GOss said that he should like little time to consider that mat ter and moved that it be laid on tue table The motion was carried.
 When the clerk started to read the recommendations of the board of pub- lie works regarding electric lights. NIT Goss moved that all the recommends 1uOns be read before acting upon any. This was carried and after the differ ent recommendations had been read NIT GOSS moved that they be laid on the table until the board had investi- gated and made report upon the other petitions for electric lights still before that body When the motion was put 1t was doubted and q rising vote was called for and the motion defeated by vote of to ,. Aldermen Mahaney, CheSs0n, Morris. Boylan. Foley. Phe- Ian and Callan voting against it. and Aldermen Blakeslee. White. Cross. Soss and Walker favOring it, Mir Tyr Tell not voting. Then Alderman Ma nancy moved that the report of the board of public works regarding elsc- tric lights be adopted. It was during the debate on this question that Alder men White and Walker charged Alder men Phelan and Mahaney with play ing them false. and while the latter did not deny or affirm the allegation. still 1t looked as if there might have been rE rrr 6 Waxed eloquent on this subject and in- formed the board that if a certain number of the aldermen had entered Into an understanding among them selves as to where lights should be placed that was no reason why the board of public works should be gov erned by such a prearranged matter. The board of public works had recom- mended lights where it knew they were sadly needed, and if the aldermen desired to ignore these recommends tiOns and put them where they wanted them regardless of the merits of the claim. he wanted to know it and then he would attend no more outings AL dermen BOylan. Morris and Mahaney also favored the motion. It was car ried. no one voting against it.
 The recommendation of the board of public works that sidewalks be laid on Bridge street. north side. from Bald win street to Dublin street. was laid on the table by a very indifferent vote. several members not voting one way or the other. Mir Goss made the mo- tion stating that this matter ought 10 be deferred until the contemplated im- provements at the corner of Dublin and Bridge streets, already ordered. is taken hold of and finished Alderman Phelan was also very much opposed to the project. Alderman Foley sai,l 1t was a great public necessity and that he did not think it fair to the resi- dents of the street or to the public to delay it any longer. It went on the table all the same.
 A communication was received from Undertaken Auger stating that he will claim S85 damage for injuries done his ambulance while driving over Bridge street It was referred to the law roDmittee.
 On motion of Mfr Goss the recon mendation of the board of public works that sidewalks be laid on North Main street from the present termina- fion of the walks to Vine street. was recommitted for an estimate of cost the alderman remarking that it was unfortunate to have to do this, but that the aldermen could not pass ii FIfh0uf an estimate of nxDpuse