Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-06-08
HARRISON AVENUE.
Difference OF Opinion Over Building
Line-Board Members Discuss it.

y
siding, and all the members being pres
ent except Mr. Wade.
The first matter considered was the
petition of III. A. Peck for the estab-
lishment of a building line on Harri-
son avenue, both sides, from Leaven-
worth street. In support of his petition
Mr. Peck said that there is good deal
of travel through there and that steps
should be taken to make it wider as
soon as a favorable opportunity offers.
He didn't want anything now standing
disturbed, but he wished the line es-
tablished SO that in case any building
abutting on the passway should be de-
stroyed or torn down to be rebuilt the
owner would have to keep back to the
new line. This idea occurred to Mr.
Peck when he saw the building on
the corner burned SO badly that he
thought it would not be repaired. Mr.
Peck also suggested that the sidewalks
be eliminated from Harrison avenue
and pavement laid close to the build
ings. This he believed would help
things considerably.
Attorney W. L. Alcorn of New Ha-
ven, representing one-half of the Net
tleton estate, was very much opposed
to any change at the present time and
would claim damages If line should
be established. Mr. Alcorn said that he
understood Mr. Peck to state that he
was in favor of the petition at the time
of the fire, but that he feels differently
about it now. This brought Mr. Peek
to- his feet and in language which the
Elm city disciple of Blackstone could
not have misunderstood, the Waterbury
banker declared that he was very much
in favor of the establishment of build
ing line on Harrison avenue now as
well as Immediately after the fire.
Merritt Benton, who represented the
other half of the Nett1eton property,
was opposed to the petition and would
claim damages If the work should be
ordered done.
G. III. Hart appeared for the estate or
Joseph Whittlessey and other interests.
He was not opposed to the proposed
line, provided it cost his clients moth
ing.
Martin J. McEvoy, representing the
block occupied by Grieve. Bisset & Hol-
land. was very much opposed to the
line but he was of the opinion that the
suggestion of Mr. Peck regarding the
sidewalks might be all right, but would
not agree to anything definite on that
until after he had seen a plan Of what
was contemplated. Mr. McEvoy said
that it was property with no frontage
on other streets that needed this
change and while he should like to be
able to help those who would be bene-
fitted by It, still it should be remem-
bered that foot or two from a lot
fronting on Bank street means great
deal. while that much or even more
might not amount to much in the rear
of lot.
Mrs Margaret Ryder, who owns the
u. r a0x yaV1xr nor n
street, across the way from the engine
house, looked at the question much the
same as Mr. McEvoy did. She intends
to build block on that lot and If the
city should take two feet off 1t there
would be room for but two fats. while
as it is the plan shows sufficient space
for three so that If two-foot line
were established 1t might Just as we'll
be twice that SO far as she was con-
cerned, the damage being practically
the same. Hrs Ryder considered the
loss in rents on account of the small
block which she would be obliged to
erect there in case of any encroach-
ment by the city would mean loss Of
about 500 a month. Mr. Peck took
Mrs Ryder in hand and tried to con-
vince her that the much wider street
would enhance the value of her proper
ty to some exent, but he didn't succeed,
the woman contending, and giving ex-
cellent reasons, too. in support of her
argument that it is much better to let
things remains as they are.
Truman Lewis said he was in favor
Of a building line. After talking the
matter over the board decided that it
was useless to try to establish a line
there, but they thought very favo~ably
Of the idea of eliminating the side
H. - -
tht aldermen that the petitioners be
given leave to withdraw. The engineer
was directed to prepare plans and sub
NIT estimates showing the cost Of re-.
moving the sidewalks from Harrison
avenue as far as 1t may seem desira-
ble
A communication was received from
the trolley company regarding the vote
passed by the aldermen requesting the
company to sprinkle streets covered
by the trolley service. 1t stated that
the company was not in shape to take
hold of such work just now, but that
If the city contemplated having the
streets sprinkled they would like to
make a bid for the work. The board
didn't see what business It had before
them and concluded to pass 1t along to
the aldermen.
A communication was received from
the engineer showing what progress
has been made in the laying Of water
mains. The superintendent of water
submitted communication setting
forth that the usual inspection OF the
water shed had been made, but no
sources of contamination had been
found. An application of Randolph
Cloves Co for permission to make a
six-inch tapping for automatic sprin-
klers was referred to the superinten-
dent of water Assistant City Clerk
Reeves stated that Orchard street, Wa
terville is an accepted street.
81 want to say word for a man
who has a petition before this board
regarding Little brook" said Judge
Gillette. 'tI know him." chimed in one
of the members; "his name is Adams
to which Mr. Gillette replied that his
clients name was not Adams, but that
he lives on Adams street. Then it
dawned on the board that the name of
the gentleman all had in mind was
Eustice. Nothing definite was done