Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-08
Westerly Council Grants Franchise
Trolley Road to Weekapaug Be Completed By October 1s-Tax Exemptions Parks Jewelry Co. and to Tex tile Co.-Mchael Tosceano Caught in Gears at White Rock Mill-SeriousIy Injured.

There was an adjourned meeting of the Westerly town council Tuesday evening for the farther consideration of the petition of the Westerly and Connecticut Railway company for franchise to extend their electric road from Pleasant View to Weekapaug, which i5 practically an extension of franchise granted three years ago and which expired by limitation; also for permission to construct a power trans mission line outside of the compact part of the town. The new franchise provides that the work be completed by Oct l, 1912, and the only other change of importance is a change from 70 to 50 pound rails to be used in the extension. The franchise is a lengthy document and the plans of the com pany are as explained to the council at the meeting Monday.
 Robert w. Perkins, treasurer, stated that the sub-station would be located mead the Maxtuxet brook on the land opposite now owned by Tristan D. BabcoclE, the other proposed site being on land of Frederick D. Babcock The fares will be five cents from the rail- way station to MaStuXet brook and i've cents to the pavilion site.
 This pavilion will be quite a dis tnnce from the present colony at Pleas ant View, so that no objection could be raised by present property owners. The fare zone from Pleasant View to Week a paug is to be five cents. MT. Per frins said local concerns were figuring on the plans for the new pavilion, which will be modern in every respect and will include bath houses. It will be a place built especially for the ac conmodation of the public and for free use The council voted unanimously in favor of granting the franchise and MT. Perkins said the work would be com menced just as soon as the working material could be conveyed to the beach.
 The matter of eKemptfng new indus tries from taxation was then taken up. IL was voted to grant eight years ex- emptton to the George W. Parks Jew eiry company that recently purchased the property formerly occupied by the Westerly Narrow Fabric company. MT. Parks aslSel for ten years exemption, but as two years had been enjoyed by the former owners the term of exemp- ton was made eight years, the ex- emption to date from May ., 1912. Councilmen Flynn. Langworthy and Cuiley advocated the eight years term and T. was unanimously adopted.
 There is standing vote that the town council is authorized to exempt all new industries from taxation for period of ten years.
 The petition of James A. Murphy for a druggist liquor license in the Martin house block was withdrawn, as the place has been closed by foreclosure of q small mortgage held by Mrs. Graf, owner of the building.
 The petition of the Westerly Textile company for exemption from taxation for ten years was next considered. This new company has purchased the brick mill and the stone mill in Main street and asked exemption for that property and machinery and business.
 C0urcilman LangWorthy said he did not want to put anything In the way Of new industries but a bad precedent IS being established, and there is no reason why the new owners of the Westerly wOolen mill property should not come to the council for exemption. He believed the plan of the Bradford concern to be fair and honorable. That concern agreed to pay the taxes as at present assessed and were exempted upon ths new buildings and plants. Exemptions were made in the Potter, Hin and Piks industries. when new buildings were not erected, and the precedent established. MT. Langwor- thy knew of no citizens who favored the ten years exemption. He said he owned Q building in Main street that could be sold to advantage for a rev industry if the ten years exemption frcm taxation was guaranteed
 Councilmcn Flynn, Maxson and Gull ley spoke on the matter and gave ex- precision favorable to new industries, but that the financial interests of the town should be safeguarded. Their talk indicated that public sentiment was not favorable to exemption of the property. but was favorable to the ex emption of the machinery and busi- ness.
 Mir Flynn suggested that if exemp- tfon be given it be for all above a cer- tain sum on practically the same basis as the Bradford concern. The prop erty would be assessed for about $S0, 000 and he suggesteT that exemption be given above $l5,0Oo.
 It was voted that the Westerly Tex tile company be exempted from taxa ton for ten years in excess of $15,o00
 The Lehigii Valley Silk company pe- tition for exeMption from taxation for five years was then considered. This company leases the building and is as- Bessed for a tax of S1,00p on persona. properly Mir. Flynn said from 40 tc SO are employed in this mill and that prnall industries are what build up g town. 1T this company purchased tho building the town would be deprived of taxes on the property. Mir. Lang worthy said that could not be classeC as a ne windustry as it was already ir operation and had not been heavily taxed. The assessors made due allow. anee as a means of encouragement.
 Councilman Saunders declared that M establish sd manufacturing concerns were to be relieved from the payment of taxes. ho knew of other concern. that would demand like treatment.
 On motion Of MT. Flynn, this petition was tabled until next Friday for far. thsr consideration.
 Louis A. Barber was granted a drug gtst's liquor license to expire May i 1913: license was also issued to Oscai c. Stott, to August Larsen and tt William J. Ramon for the Main stree store. license for the Watch Hill stor, to be Issued later, when druggist li cense for that place is granted by thu Eta.e board of pharmacy.
 Michael Toscano, employed at tn, White Rock mill, was severely iniure, while at work Tuesday. His left le; i. was caught in the gearing of null and the flesh below the knee was SC verely lacerateG but no bone wa broken. A physician was promptl, 6ummoDed and several stitches wer, required to close the wound Toscant I oa fz