Norwich bulletin., 1910-04-04

The section of property in West
erIy almost in the center of the bust
and Main Streets in proximity to the
town hail. fire house and Episcopal
church, large tract Of land with
buildings thereon, Known as Crafts
hereafter be known as WEIGH court
This property, formerly owned by Al
bert b. CRAFTS has been purchased by
James A Welch, owner of the prop
erty, from the Baptist church in
Broad street to the town hall in I'm
ION street, the barn and dwelling
houses thereon being destroyed by
hrG February 13 last.
This new purchase includes six ten
ement houses, one located in the part
of Union street that is parallel with
that part of WEIGH court which be-
gins near Main street. and a large
barn just south of the fire house. Mr..
WEIGH has abandoned his plan to build
a stable on the site of the one totally
destroyed by fire, welcome news to the
owner of the Dixon house property, the
FIRST BAPTIST church. and the people of
Westerly generally.
While the place was desirable for
Mr. Weich's business. it was too prom
1nent pace in the business center
1or puolic stable. This fact was ap-
preciated by Mr.. Welch. His purchase
OF CFafts court provides the remedy
ana already the preliminary work has
been commenced for the enlargement
Of the large barn in the so-called
court. This addition will extend di-
rectly back of the fire house, and the
horses for drawing the fire apparatus
VIII be even more convenient than be-
FORE The tenement houses now oc-
cupied by fourteen families will be
renovated and remodeled and the
whole biace improved.
For years there has been talk of
cutting down the knoll of Union
street, so-called, which, as a matter
fec iC he of hill
one from Broad and the other from
Main streets (and at the present time
a committee of the board of trade has
this needed public Improvement I'M
congested condition of Main street
and for the general accommodation of
pedestrians. The work could now be
done at comparatively small expense
to the town, as the greater amount of
private property on the thoroughfare
is owned by Mr.. WEIGH, who is ready
to do his full share towards making
the change. The next individual prop
erty owner is Frank w. Coy, and he,
too, favors the project The only 9TH
er private property to be affected is
the Holt residence on the Broad street
approach and Hjbernian hall on the
Main street approach and those prop
erties would be greatly improved
should the change be made
The town fire house would be given
another story by the change and at
SI1all expense While Cn0 TOWN. nan is
given but little considera ton in the
contemplated Improvement, as that
building is conceded to be entirely in
adequate for town purposes and a new
town hall is a necessity. Still, with
the knoll cut down, the town hall
could be utilized until a new building
was substituted, the only changes be-
ing an extension of steps to the main
entrance and bringing the police sta
ton entrance on the street level.
AS Mr.. WEIGH has not yet COM
menced the construction of the apart
ment houses to take the place of the
buildings burned on the Union street
side of his property. the Cookey Hill
knoll could be removed at less ex-
pense than hereafter. or perhaps the
opportunity to make this long talked
of improvement would never come
again. Mr.. WEIGH is having plans made
for the building that is to front on
Broad street, where his business of
fee will be located as at present, the
plans including obliteration of the sta
BILE driveway and general improve
ment of Broad street.
With the exception of slate roof
in place of the wooden shingles and
comparatively slight repairs to that
section of the edif1ce nearest the