Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-04
PUBLIC WORKS BOARD
Alderman Larkin Willing 10 Pay
 Extra on Sewer Work.

the meeting or the ueparLiheht VI pup lie works last night.
 Property owners interested in the matter of sewer assessments on West Side hill and in the neighborhood or Columbia boulevard were called and heard. Alderman W. J. Larkin of the second ward created sensation py remarking that not only was he Will ing to pay an assessment of $l.5o per lineal foot for his sewer on Euclid avenue, but that he should not object to putting up twenty-five per cent more. adding that he was of the opin- ion that people who get the benefit or the sewer ought to pay more than those on the inside. At this juncture somebody pulled the alderman's coat tails and somebody else shook his list in his face, and while it was plain that he intended to say more, he changed his mind and let 1t go at what he already had said. All those present on the sewer hearings belong in the second outside district and as result the little speech made by MT Larkin, annoyed them very much and he was lucky to get away without being mob bed
 Commissioner Finn stirred up an other storm by calling attention to the attitude of the engineer regarding votes passed by the board. Half dozen streets were reported ready for hearings and after looking them over the commissioner remarked that he wondered what MT Cairns took the board for anyway. Last year. he continued, apparently growing madder at every expression, property owners on Madison avenue came down here and explained the hardships they are subjected to in getting to their work. 10 say nothing about their children paddling through slush an the way to school for four or five months of the year. We couldn't do anything for them when they called, but assured them that we would look after them this year. The matter was referred to the engineer early this year and at two or three different times we have asked him to report on it. Now here are several streets that have been re- ferred to him long after Madison street, and the surveys have been made and things got ready so that we can go ahead. . should like to have somebody explain what this means" MT Walker: "Oh, l suppose the en- gineer thought Madison street small matter and took up things that in his judgment were of more importance
 MT Finn: "That isn't matter for the engineer to decide. If this board hasn't brains enough to know what is needed most in this respect then I think it the duty of the mayor to let the whole of us go and appoint others. In the whole bunch of streets that went to the engineer this year none was needed more than Madison street, and yet for some reason or other we \. can't get it through. MT Chairman, l move that the engineer be directed to report upon Madison street before any of the other projects of that character now in his office."
 The motion was passed unanimous ly. This is about the fourth vote of that kind which was passed at tie sug- gestion of Mr Finn. The people kept 
 about them until they got tired and gave it up. Hearings were set for De- cember 17 on the layout and grade of Beech and Merry streets and on the petition of the Connecticut Co for the double tracking of West Main street It was voted to recommend that S640 be transferred to the account of roads, first district.
 The usual vote was passed that no more permits be issued for opening streets to make water. sewer and gas connections until next spring. At this juncture Mr Kilduff of the street de- partment came forward and stated that during the past year about 20O petitions for street openings had been granted and that they cost the city at least SI,000. The plumbers. he added agree to put back the street in as good condition as they found it. but they never do 1t and as consequence h,icely paved streets are full of un- slightly patches and dirt roads have q large number of hummocks and de. pressions. He suggested that the city employ a man to be on the. ground when the back filling is being done and have it properly attended to and hat the fee for openings be made more than it is. Commissioners Walk. hr and Finn thought that if the fee foI openings should be increased ii wouldn't come out of the plumbers pocket, but would be charged up tC he property owner, and wanted tc Snow how it would do to have the treet department make all the open. ngs and do the back filling'a land charge he actual cost to the person having he work done This. they thought would protect the city aud the jol would be done at less cost to the property owners than it is under the present. arrangement This propOsi ion met the approval of the whole oard and the superintendent oi ireets was requested to prepare q raft Of an ordinance embodying q hange along these lines.
 The payrolls and miscellaneous bill, ere read and approved.
 The use of the hose on window
 as introduced by Mir DennisOn, wht
 onouneed it positively dangerou.
 lring the winter months. Tn
 ater runs over the walks and freeze
 that they are slippery about al
 e time. It was voted to request tn
 perintendent of police to see tha
 ifs nuisance is stopped.
 Commissioner Finn wanted to knoy
 the board could do something t
 sure a little more safety to tn
 hblie at grade crossings. He though