Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-26
SPECIAL CITY MEETING.
Proposed Resolution Resembling the City Action Lost by Vote of 115 to 56.

The special city meeting called by Mayor Daniel P. Dunn at the request of Dr. George E. Wilcox and one hun dred odd others to reconsider the ac- ton of the November meeting which voted the sum of $5,000 for permanent street paving, Was attended by over two hundred citizens Thursday night for the discussion of the policy Of the city in that regard.
 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dunn at 8.10 o'clock and the warning was read by City Clerk A. C.. Scripture.
 pr. George E. Wilcox then proposed a resolution resembling the former ac- tion of the city, which was seconded by Attorney s. B. Harvey. pr. Wilcox then took the floor in support of his motion and made a lengthy plea there for, basfng his position on the alleged facts that the tax was already high for this year, that a state tax of two mills would probably be laid, that eco homie thrift was necessary for future growth, that the kind of permanent paving proposed was not Suff1c1entIy proven in worth.
 Attorney T. J. Kelley spoke in favor of the judgment of the appropriate committee of the board of aldermen and against reversing that judgment before positive proof had been pre- sented that they were wrong. MT.
 
 cost of construction of the permanent pavement now on Main street was about S22,000. The maintenance of the paving last year was $500, while under ing the expense was $2,000 per year. He claimed that the pavement paid for itself in IT years and with the life Of such pavement figured at 35 years gave Is years additional life over and above the expense. The former cost of water iYop o1 nrnsEnT1t entire maintenance charge for the paving. No city in the state can show better street than that section of Main street now laid with permanent block paw ing, said MT. Kelley.
 M. Eugene Lincoln favored the mo- tion because of the fact that any fu- ture plans for the elimination of the Main street grade crossing would ne- cessitate a change. He therefore op- posed permanent paving at that point. He also took issue with the correc sness of the figures presented, stating that interest had been omitted, and he did not think the streets cost as much as s2,o0o per year previously to block paving.
 Alderman A. l.. Gelinas spoke in op- position to the motion, stating that he was big taxpayer, but he was lock ing for the long end, and he thought the economical way was permanent paving. The approx oh to the city from tilS CrOli6y HSGOeQ improvement. A bad impression was given to visitors by conditions there.
 George F. Taylor made @ plea for a business policy. If permanent paving lasted 35 years, it should be seen to that all piping was first laid and sui fcieut connections provided for future use. The present cost was less than two-fffth of a mill on the grand list and could be saved somewhere else.
 Mayor Dunn resigned the chair to Alderman Gelinas and took the floor in opposition to the motion. He stated tha tthe plan of the New Haven road for the elimination of the grade cross ings in that section contemplated an entire change of the line and would not cause a change in the Main street grade.
 Mayor Dunn urged the improvement as needed for economy, as furnishing work for many who needed it. and as of great permanent value. He hoped the resolution would not prevail.
 At this point there was an inter change of compliments between the mayor, who was as comptroller of the state on the board of equalization, and who was a member of the committee which revalued the property of the town of Windham, Dr. Wilcox taking exception to some of the mayors re- marks in regard to the revaluation made at that time.
 Jay M. Shepard. c. F. Risedorf and several others remarked on the sub ject.
 M. E., Lincoln moved that the vote on the question be taken by check list, and the chair called for the vote twice and declared it lost.
 E. P. Chesbro then moved that the vote be taken by division of the house