Waterbury Democrat., 1902-04-22
OFFICIALS THERE TO-DAY
If Request of Trolley Company is

If Request of Trolley Company is Granted Highway Will Be Improved.
 The scene of the proposed contention in Oakville between the Connecticut Lighting and Power company and the Consolidated railroad company was visited to-day by General Manager Sewell of the Lighting and Power company, their local engineer, ". G. Smith. their head engineer from Phila de1phia, George F. Roberts. Colonel Burpee. their counsel. City Clerk Ryan, City Sheriff Mcdonald. and Aldermen Blakeslee, O'Brien, Walker, Brophy and Gates. The party was conveyed on special car and were the guests of MT Sewell. Arriving at the bridge In Oakville which appears to be the special point of difficulty the maps of the layout as proposed by the trolley company were produced. also the maps Of the original layout of the highway. The trolley people want the city to issue an order to the railroad com pany to move back the south pier of the railroad bridge twenty seven feet and to turn round the north pier so that it will not project into the high way. The present width of the high way under the bridge is less than twenty feet and the width of the high way above and below the bridge is about thirty-two feet. The trolley company claims the railroad company are trespassers on the highway, and furthermore. that the New England hotel and all the property adjoining on both sides of the road intrudes on the highway to the extent of about 100 feet. The Oakvil1e Pin company is also said to be an intruder to the full extent of their factory.
 But the principal point is to get the city to order the railroad company to move back the south pier of the bridge and turn around the north pier. The trolley company also proposes to pay one-half the expense of widening the highway above the railroad bridge and if the city will not accept that pro- position they will build an independent bridge south of the present one and come out on the highway about two hundred feet west of the public bridge. This would necessitate the removal of number of small buildings on the south side of the highway belon oino 10 the Pin company. but it is claimed
 
 that side of the road.
 Alderman O'Brien appeared to fake great interest in the proposition. Ha was veritable interrogation noint. Engineer Smith explained the mans showing the various places where is- sue IS expected between the respective corporations.
 Providing the request of the trolley company is granted the highway will De vastly improved The pronosed extension of the trolley system to Wa tertown will run almost in a straight Ine rom the pond aho--o eIada,s mill up beyond the Pin company's factory. At present the bend at the bridge is uuiIe sharp and it would be impossible Tor car to pass under with any de gree of safety 10 approaching passeu- gers or teams, no matter in which di fectlon the car may be going. There ls the particular place of difficulty. The aldermen did not express them selves on the matter. It would have been better had the entire board of aldermen accepted the invitation of the trolley company. for then each member of the board would have satis- ned himself regarding the situation counsel for the trolley company does not believe the railroad company will oppose the proposed layout He be- heves the matter will be adjusted Without resort to the. courts. but one can't always tell.