Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-22
PUBLIC WORKS BOARD
Heard From Several Who Want
 Street Improvements.

The board of public works held a meeting last night, Mayor Thoms pre- siding, and all the members being present.
 Attorney J. M. Lynch appeared and made a strong appeal on behalf of the Clark street project. He wanted 1t worked to grade pending decision on the James street matter and inquired if money used there from the regular appropriation could not be replaced from the proposed bond issue for this purpose. The mayor didn't think so. Mir Lynch talked of the importance of doing that work as soon as pos sible so that the way may be made clear for trolley service onto the high ground in that district
 Hans Rasmussen was the next speaker. Of course he wanted Clark street extended. It will cost SIT ,5OO, but MT Rasmussen didn't expect to have it completed this year. If it should be worked to a partial grade, that would suffice for the present. The mayor had notion that the city could not afford to spend all the $40,OO0 ap- propriated for new work over there and reminded Mir Rasmussen that others would object, Mir Geraghty, for example, who is anxious to have some thing done on Cooke street. This prompted Mir Rasmussen to look around and seeing John J. Geraghty, E. R. Kelsey, George H. Cloves and ciety men there, he shrugged his shoulders and replied: If we get half that appropriation I don't think MT Geraghty will kick provided he gets the rest of it." This was followed by a talk on law between the mayor and MT Rasmussen, during which the latter asked his honor if he didn't think it flake" to bring the James street injunction before Judge Cowell, the same gentleman who granted it. The mayor had nothing to say in re- ply.
 E. R. Kelsey held aloft what he termed an ancient document and then explained that it was copy of rec ord showing that Cooke street had been laid out in 1883. That's noth- ing" remarked the mayor, adding that he had something more modern about that street. It was laid out by the city few months ago, he said, and now about half the people have filed appeals from the award of benefits and damages, but notwithstanding this, something will be done there this year. This satisfied Mir Kelsey and his second ward associates and they went their way rejoicing. George H. Cloves wanted to know when the city will take those two Tower road electric lights off his hands so that he will not be respon- sible for them. He was informed that this was up to the committee on lights. At this juncture a communication was read from the superintendent of streets showing the present appropriation for lights will not pay for the number already installed.
 There are 3S7 arc lights, each cost ing the city SS7.50 per annum, or a total of $33,s72.50. There are thirty nine incandescent lights at cost to
 the city of $20 per year, each, or a total of $7S0. This brought the total expense of lighting the city up to S34. 4.Gi2.50. As the appropriation for street lighting is s34,500. the appro- priation has already ben exceeded by 1 S142.J0. It was explained by the fact that the old lighting committee spent 5000 in excess of the appropriation, and that it had to be made good out of this years funds.
 D. J. Rafferty made another try to have a sewer lien on his Jefferson street property released. He said he would pay it provided anybody can show him his signature to q contract to settle The mayor agreed to let him see the document.
 The matter of a retaining wall on Dublin street and the right of the city to compel companies maintaining poles on Dublin street and other places to keep them in repair was referred to the city attorney.
 Three applications to make openings in the streets were granted. orc for E. W. Mooring on Highland avenue, another for Frank Garrity on Walnut street, and one for r. H. Garrity at the church of Our Lady of Iaourdes on South Main street. The engineer sub- mitted communication regarding the proposed pumping station on Hill street. 1t was referred to the water committee. Several other matters re- ferred to the board by the aldermen went sent to the several committees.