New Britain herald., 1916-08-16
LIGHTING COMPANY
 WANTS 10 BE SHOWN
Its Attorneys Oppose Granting Of
 Stanley Works Petition

Fortified by legal talent in the per- sons of Judges George w. Klett of this city and William E. Thoms of Waterbury, United Electric Light and Water company representatives ap- peared at the meeting of the board of public works last evening, to ask for delay in granting the petition of the Stanley Works for permission to string wires over the highways and also through the property owned by the city of New Britain known as the Old Farm town lot as well as along the west side of Hunter Road, from recent purchase of it's Farming ton river rights in the town of Kent.
 The petition was signed by E. w. Pelton, and it contained the prOVisO that all work would be done in a careful and workmanlike manner, the wires to be at least twenty feet above the highway. Chairman Humphrey presided at the meeting.
 Quoting the statute of 1915, Judge Klett raised the question whether or not the board had the powers to grant the petition before maps had been presented to the public utilities com mission, for that body to pass on. He said it was his opinion that the at torney general had given an adverse opinion that in a similar case in Nor walk. He also said that the com- pany which he represented had not had sufficient time to look over the plans, he having learned that they had not been presented to the board at 11:30 a. m. yesterday morning.
 Chairman Hur11 questioned whether the public utilities commits sion had the right to exercise any authority over city streets in mat ter of this kind. Judge Klett said there was enough law involved to warrant a continuance of the hearing for a week to give interested parties an opportunity of looking over the maps of the proposed layout.
 Judge Thoms spoke in a similar vein, and stated that in several in- stances where he has represented the United Electric Light and Power com pany maps were furnished when the lines crossed those of other parties He believed that a plan such as pre- sented by the local concern should be examined by an engineer for the United company and then referred to the common council. In this way the company which he represented would have an opportunity of seeing how it affected their lines thus giving them more definite information
 Chairman Humphrey stated that as far as the board knew the petitioners may have compiled with the statutes. Judge Klett said his clients had not been granted the courtesy of exam ming the maps. Judge Thoms said in many instances the public utilities drafts regulations where safety requires them and if the Stan l ley Works proceeds without doing l this it Is not conforming with the sta | tutes.
 Chairman Humphrey explained the conditions that exist where the pro- posed wires will pass. He said there are very few houses in the territory and the wires will carry less power than some of those over the streets. He could see no objection to granting the petition. Judge Klett again said | he could see no reason why the matter | could not be tabled for a week and | give all a fair chance of scrutinizing | the maps. Chairman Humphrey said | the company was very anxious to get 1 the system installed before fall and | as the council meets tonight, a post l
  the third Wednesday in September | which would set them back that | much.
 After more debating on the matter it was decided to recommend to the | council this evening that the matter | be left with the board of public works | with power. This was agreeable to l the attorneys.
 Hearings Given.
 One property owner appeared in l favor of the sprinkling of Park street l between Stanley and Fairview streets. 1 and the board voted to recommend it. |
 Representatives of real estate | company spoke in favor of the taking of 50 feet of City avenue, 613 feet east of East street to Market street for highway purposes and the adop- ton of street grade and building lines The lines shown on the engineers map were agreeable to the petition CTS and they were ordered adopted
 No one appeared in regard to the laying of a sewer in Daily avenue and as it is an unaccepted highway, it was ordered that the work be done