Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-16
TO IMPROVE CITY
Mayor Thoms Message to the
 Board of Aldermen.

aldermen won another great victory for the people in general and taxpay- CTS in particular. in cffecting with the consolidated Railroad company Il compromise ill matters relating to the development of the city along the line of improved railroad facilities, now being made by the railroad com- pany. There had been some question existing between the city and the rail- road company as to which should De responsible for certain expenses that would have to be undertaken If the courts took the view of the railroad company is case of legal steps being taken, but by the compromise effected by the mayor it is the opinion that while the city will have to bear some expense it will in the end obtain from the railroad company some property worth about $500,O0O.
 Both the mayor and the railroad company rendered plan to the board of aldermen for adoption but both are embodied in the mayors which Is as follows in detail.
 To the Hon Board of Aldermen:
 Gentlemen:-I enclose herewith proposition from the New York, New Haven x Hartford Railroad company for the settlement of any and all mat ters which have arisen, in which the Railroad company and the city are jointly interested, concerning the plans in relation to the proposed rail- road Improvements in the city or Wa terbury.
 The plans which the Railroad con- pany refers to in it's communication are a portion of the plans which the city engineer has made for the lm- prOvement of the streets leading 10 the railroad station, a set of which IS submitted to you herewith. These plans. among others, compromise the following proposed Improvements: The widening of Grand, South Wll- low and Meadow streets to uniform width of seventy feet.
 The raising of the grade of Grand, South Willow and Meadow streets. so that the street level in front of the proposed railroad station shall be sub stantially that of the passenger sta- ton and main line tracks.
 The extension of Liberty street. from South Main to Bank streets. so that it will have uniform width of sixty feet, and cross the railway tracks at grade
 The extension of Jackson street. at n uniform width of sixty feet, northerly to an intersection with West Main street, just east of the property of the Connecticut Railway X Light ing company.
 The building of new street eighty feet wide. from South Willow street westerly to intersect with Jackson street on the easterly side of the Nau- gatuck river, opposite Chase park, sO-called with the intention, at later period, of bridging the river ut this point.
 The widening of the arch at the railroad crossing at Maple street, Wa terville, to width of fifty feet The removal of the present crossing on the upper Waterville road, and the substitution therefore of highway extending on the easterly side of the
 Highland division to an intersection with the extension of Clark street, Waterville; and the extension of Clark street, under the Highland di- vision tracks, through an arch fifty feet wide, to an intersection with Thomaston avenue near the Berbecker and Rowland factory in Waterville. The building of a new street sev- enty feet wide from a point on West Main street, just west of the crossing of the Highland division to the foot of Robbins street, thus insuring d. rect and low grade highway to West Side hill and Middlebury. The removal of the sharp angle Tn Bank street, near the Highland divi- sion crossing, and the substitution therefore of n curve in the street. The completion of Clark street ex- tension. from James street to Clark street, thus insuring a direct and low grade highway to the top Of Town Plot.
 In connection with these plans a number of difficulties have arisen. which necessitatc the cooperation of the Railroad company, and for the settlement of these questions they have submitted the proposition which | 1 enclose.
 Quitting the details of the cost of | the railroad bridges at Jackson street, and the street just north of the pas | senger station. also at Clark and Ma pIe streets Watervills, which are ar ranged on what l believe to be a fair and equitable basis, the proposition | is substantially as follows: The railroad will give to the city
 such portion of its land as is included within the layout of South Willow
 and Meadow streets. to width of seventy feet.
 It will give to the city such portion of it's land as is included within the
 layout of Jackson street. 10 width of
 sixty feet. It will give such portion of it's land as is necessary for the layout of Lib erty street, to a width of sixty feet, | and will waive any objection 10 the \ building of said street at grade. It will give such portion of it's land | as is necessary for the layout of a | new street, from South Willow street to Jackscn street, a width of eighty
 feet.
 It will give such portion of Its land as is included within the layout of new street, from West Main street fe Robbins street, to a width of seventy feet.
 It will waive any claim to any DOT. tion of it's land which might Interfere
 with the removing of the angle ir
 Bank street.
 Tt will donate to the city the piecs
 of land adjacent to the present city
 yards containing an acre or more
 now occupied by it's roundhouse and
 sheds. which will double the present
 size of the yard used by the city fol