Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-29
The Sidewalk Question.

Mir. Editor: The Misses Lucas,
 whose letter appeared in The Bulie-
 tin Saturday morning. while profess
 ing to be in favor of putting the side
 walks of the city into good condition,
 complain both of the law and its en-
 forcement. The writer,s one Of those ordered to construct a granoIfthic
 sidewalk, and who will cheerfulIy com
 ply, takes different view of the mat ter.
 Let us bear in mind that the side walks in the city of Norwich in many
 been, in a disgraceful condition. Im-
 provement has been discussed, by the
 public and by prior municipal admin istrations, and nothing has been done. Now, if the evil is to be remedied the municipality must act, and in the way authorized by law, Left to the pro-
 prietors themselves. some act and then are annoyed by others inaction.
 The charter of the city points out the way, and the only way it can be done
 by the public.
 It provides that the common coun- cil may from time to time, order the proprietors of the lands and
 buildings fronting such sidewalks and gutters, at their own expense, to level, raise and form, and when necessary to repair such sidewalks and guttefs on their several fronts, according to the width, course, height and level designated as aforesaid, and aiso to
 flag or to pave such sidewalks and gutterS and to repair such Tagging or court of common council shall direct.
 No matter what plan is adopted, some are sure to feel that the wisest course has not been pursued and that they have not been fairly dealt with.
 While complaining of the mayor and reporting their interviews with him, the Misses Lucas omit to mention that before any order was passed, the proposition was heard by the com mon council, after legal notice to them, and that they appeared by their attorney and were fully heard, making the same argument which they now make in trying to try the case over again in the newspapers. The council decided on the order made. and the writers of the letter in question are quite too haSty in thinking the only mind in the council is that of the mayor and all the others arc melodies. But some one had to take the initia- tive and this may well have been the mayor with the advice and assistance of Mir. Chandler. the city's engineer do not know who would have been more proper persons.
 The cemplainants are dissat esf1ed with the law For one thing, the city should bear part of the expense it is said. I leave the question for others to discuss whether the propFietors of lands. on Spring street, the Joseph Perkins road or on nowhere shouid sidewalks on the leading streets. But such a plan would be wholly new and without precedent in Norwich. The construction of the granoiithic side- walks the whole length of Sachen street, for example. was done by the adjoining property owners and not by the city,.
 Will this, principle of once flag. al ways f1ag, hold? It would seem clear enough under the charter, that if a walk needs repairs, the common coun- cil should state how it is to be done it flag.
 Evidently the common council have simply taken the law as they found it, and they are no more responsible for it's provisions than for the law of Moses. Neither these congplainants nor others who want good sidewalks (provided they are constructed ac- eording to their own notions), nor prior city administrations. nor our in the general assem- bly have at this or any other session of that body moved for changes along the lines suggested, and/ these pro- visions have been on the statute books for more than fifty years. It is puret- ty late to begin complaining of the law.
 They next complain of granolithic walks, and note instances in Boston and New York as well as in Norwich, where the granolithic walks have be- come defective. have n0 knowledge as to what caused the city officials to decide that granolithic was the best 1 more important streets. but in deter mining the question suspect they may have been inhuenced in part by | the walks on Sachem street where the Misses Lucas reside. It is not neces- sary to visit New York or Boston to !