Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-05

l The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad company made an
 application to the Rhode Island public utilities commission for permission to
 extend the siding of the Westerly
 Lumber company across Oak street to other property of the lumber company. l George Carmichael agent for the commission. appeared before the Westerly town council at the regular meeting held Monday. night with a plan of the proposed extension which l he explained in detail. He said that
 while the commission had full power i to act, still through 8 spirit of cour- tesy and fairness the commission puts the matter up to the council and will abide by its decision. The commits l sion asks for an expression of the council. The purpose of the extension l was to give the Westerly Lumber company opportunity to extend busi- ness. He said that if cars were to be operated frequently at this proposed grade crossing it would be dangerous, and so declared by the commission. But as cars would not be operated | there more than two or three times week, and at such times the crossing ] would be carefully protected by flag men, the danger feature was removed. While he did not favor grade crossings along the main line, he recommended that this particular application be granted, as its object was to increase
 
 
 Clerk Whipple asked concerning the drains and highway at that point, and MT. Carmichael replied that was a matter to be adjusted between the council and railroad company and that no doubt would be satisfactory to all concerned. Any restrictions de- manded by the council would be sus- tained by the commission.
 Councilman Fowler stated that this Io1@ ~s<.1 Iw,& a railroad crossing at grade in the main highway between the villages of Westerly and Bradford. and the propo- sition should be thoroughly understood before definite action is taken. He asked if the law did not prevent the creation of grade crossings.
 MT. Carmichael said there was no such law, and that the public utilities commission could grant this applica- ton without the approval of the town council. but would not, and that fur thermore the commission had taken no formal action as yet, and would be guided by the councs~S action Like crossings are in operation daily in Providence, Woonsoeket, Pawtucket and Newport
 Councilman Haswell said that if the proposed crossing was to be a part of the main line he certainly would ob- ject. and the only possible deterrent to the proposed proposition might be delay of few minutes two or three times a week to whoever might want to use the highway at that particular point.
 President Flynn said the proposition i would aid the Westerly Lumber com pany to increase it's business, which | was at present handicapped for lack of 1 room.
 MT. Carmichael said he did not con. | sider crossing at that place for the | purpose specified was dangerous. and l was an incentive to increase business. | and it was good policy for a town to | have business increase. f someone | eise wanted like crossing for like purpose it was good business policy not | to turn down the proposition He said i 1t was not essential for the council to | take action at this session, and sus- 1 gested that the councilnen investigate | the situation.
 President Flynn informed Mir Car. michael that the councilr1en would visit the location immediately after the adjourned, which tkey did It was decided to grant the application. Under certain restrictions, as to up- keep of the highway, as presented by the, highway commission.
 The application of Louis Deuteah Sor a liquor license for 1o2 Canal street was read, the time for public notice !e1' ing SApi.eu IEe applicant said hat if granted the license the law would be strictly observed. Protest was received from Abraham Liebovitz and Philip Goldberg, claiming that .hey were the owners of the greater part of the land within 200 feet of the specification. No plat accompanied the protest The application vas denied.
 President Flynn stated that Frank W. Coy had called his attention to inc broken down fence that surmounts the 'etalnlng wall between town property md property of MT. Coy in Union 'treet which skirts the place desig- lated as a public hitching place for 1orses, and in front of the old town iall, now utilized as a manual train ng school and a part oe the public 'chool system. The fence was in ar iisgraceful condition and ought to be epiaced by a new one said President s1ynn, and he believed this ought to 'e done ny the owner of the retaining val. If the town council decides thai il he retaining wall is owned by Mr. Coy that gentleman is ready to build new fence, but if the wall is the 'roperty of the town the work ought o be done and at the expense of the own. Clerk WhiPple said he had looked up