Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-14
FINAL EFFORT AGAINST SEPARATION
Bill to Form Old Norwich is Now in Hands of Committee
Citizens From All Ranks Testify That Towns Sentiment
is Against Separaton-Letter From Judge Thayer of
Supreme Court and Telegram From Judge Greene of
Superior Court.

The committee on new towns and
probate districts gave a third and
final hearing Tuesday afternoon in the
old senate chamber in the state cap
itol on the petition Of Frank B. Rick
etson for the incorporation OF a new
town to be called Old Norwich within
the limits Of the present town OF Nor
witch.
Produced Official Records.
Corporation Counsel Joseph 7. Fan
ming presented to the committee a
copy Of the official records concerning
the annexation of part of Preston
to the town or city of Norwich, show
ing a vote of the court of common
council against the proposition. He also
referred to the annexation Of Sunny
side, the records Of the city showing a
record of the council favoring the
measure. The Norwich Board, of
Trade reported against any annexa-
ton of any part of the town except
Sunnyside and Norwich Town and
Bean Hill. and these places were men
toned as residents of these sections
favored annexation. Taftville- and
Yantic were not included. Mr.. Fan
ming then rec1ted in detail the action
of the town, the publicity given the
matter and the legislative procedure
that followed. The title of corpora
ton counsel does not appear on any
of these papers. as they were covered
by the action of the Board of Trade.
Never Favored Annexins TaftviIle.
At that time, in 1912. there was a
plan to annex Norwich Town and Bean
Hill, and Mr. Tanning suggested that
he was before the committee and de-
clared that the city and the Board
of Trade were opposed to consolidation
and that matter was disposed of. At
torney Carpenter had stated that Mr..
Tanning, as corporation counsel, ad-
vocated annexation at that time. which
Mr.. flaming denied, adding that the
city the Board Of Trade and himself
were opposed to annexation. A COM
sought a few years ago. and that was
defeated by referendum, and under
that proposition there was NO attempt
at annexation. Mr.. Tanning said as
representing the city. he had nothing
to do with the introduction of any act
relative to annexation. He referred to
the annexation of Greeneville, which
was made by referendum and which
was opposed by the people of Greene
Vile. He read the resolutions adopted
against any annexation or consolida-
ton, passed by the largely attended
city meeting. There was no desire at
any time to annex Taftville. Yantic or
Occum to the city Of Norwich.
Fire Protection Conditions.
before the committee when the hear
ing was adjourned a week ago, was
recalled. He said the fire alarm sys-
tenn had been extended to the Backus
hospital and other institutions outside
the city of Norwich. Regular inspec-
they are treated the same as city
property. There are thirteen hydrants
outside the city limits for fire purposes
which are as ready for use as any in
the city. While Backus hospital has a
partial fire equipment. there is no one
to work it except the nurses. He said
it was the aim of the Norwich city
fire department to render aid and ser
vice in all parts of the town, or else
where. He said the city department
had saved much property in the Nor
wich Town district. There is a steam
fire engine located in Yantic, Of an
antiquated type and about S5 per cent
of efficiency.
In response to query from Attorney
Henney Mr.. Stanton said the board OF
underwriters had criticised the condi-
lions in Norwich and said the pipe
service was inadequate.
Finds Fourth District Against Division
Representative Albert ]. Bailey op-
posed the separation and said he was
a resident of the town and not the city
and was perfectly familiar with the
conditions and since this controversy
arose he inquired into the sentiment
Of the people Of the Fourth district
and that rs per cent. of the residents
are opposed to any division of the
town of Norwich Should this petition
prevail 1t would leave such a small
part of the town that annexation tc
the city would be necessary for exist
ence. Mr.. Bailey referred to the meth
cd adopted in securing the names o,
signers to the petition for separation
h Il Of ,rI
is there before the committee? Simply
two men, one from Yantic. the othel
| nonresident, but manager of a large
manufacturing concern. These were
more than balanced by a large num-
| Der of taxpayers resident in the pro.
posed new town. If called upon tt
speak on this matter, he would dc
so without gloves. He was unalterably
| opposed to any separation.
In response to query of Attorney
Henney, Mr.. Bailey said he was op.
posed to the proposition first, last an6
all the time. and would so be until al
| concerned favored the project.
Vote of Chamber of Commerce.
Herbert R. Branche, a resident Of
! the Fourth district. recently built z
| house in that section, which he say.
| this separation scheme was to pre-
vail. Mr.. Branche told of a lady who
had planned to expend $4,000 in build.
| ing in the town and would not do so i,
this petition were granted. Mr.
| Branche, representing the Norwich
| Chamber Of Commerce. submitted E
vote of the chamber. which wa.
strongly in opposition to the proposed
| separation, backed by many substan.
| ttal reasons.
The document from the Norwich
Chamber of Commerce was the strong,
| est argument made at the continuou.
| hearing. against the separation of the
old town of Norwich. Mr. Brancht
said he was in business in Norwich
and was interested in its development
and urged the committee to. deal fair.
| ly with the majority of the people O.
the town of Norwich Thirty mem
| bers of the chamber reside in the sec
ton proposed to separate and only
four of them are in favor. He wa!
opposed to any annexation as well a.
consolidation.
Want No Division.
Charles I. Smith, engaged in tn,
mercantile business, was opposed tt
| the separation and came as q .delegat,
from the Chamber of Commerce. Their,
| are over 200 members Of the chambe
| and many reside outside the imaginar-
city line and the general sentiment Il
against separation. Norwich is tn,
natural shopping place for the mil
operatives and the trade comes from
Yantic, Taftville. Norwich Town ant
Fitchville. rNI3.
| Mr. ,Sv,d4b ro;5 49, :.