Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-08
WESTERLY TOWN COUNCIL NEE 5.
Removal River Obstruction AuthorizedFouh of July be Celebrated Without Fireworks-Twelve Arrests During April-Funeral of Thomas Brannan, Civil War Veteran-Frank Cafone, Appeals, Furnishing $10OO Bond

The matter of removing the obstruc ton in the Pawcatuck river near the Segar wharf so called, was before the town council at the meeting held Mon day. This obstruction causes council action biennia1iy, but it Is believed to be now definitely settled, the council having authorized the highway com mission to have the obstruction re- moved. The work will be paid for from the miscellaneous fund.
 Charles J. Butler, the owner of the wharf property that is most hampered by this obstruction caused by an ac- cumulation from public drain, hap pens also to be chairman of the h1gn- way commission. He told the coun- cil he was in a peculiar position, as It might appear that he was seeking town aid to make his wharf approachable. He said, however, that the council and the people knew that this project was in the works long before there was any highway commission and the only question at issue was whether the town would guarantee payment for the work and this has been settled.
 An engineer of the war depa rtment who had investigated the situation re- ported that it was up to the town of Westerly to settle for the necessary dredging, as the natural brook that leads into the Pawcatuck river had been used for other than its natural cause and, as no catch basins had been provided the town is respon5i- bie. The highway commission has an | appropriation for catch basins and these will now be placed without de- lay. When this plan is completed 1t
 is predicted that there will be no more river obstruction from that source MT. Butler stated that the T. A. Scott Wrecl1ing and Dredging com pany of New London had submitted an estimate that the cost of clearing the obstruction to the satisfaction of the town and federal government could be done at an approximate cost of $500. The highway commission was author l ized to close the contract for the work. The Glorious Fourth celebration will
 be of the safe and sane variety in l Westerly. The council received a communication from the Washington
 County Board of Underwriters, with the approval of the Westerly Board of Trade. asking that for patriotic as
 we'll for mutul benefit reasons that the public. be safeguarded during the Fourth of July observance. Ahe coun- cil voted that no license be issued for the sale of fireworks of any descrip- tion during the year and that the chief of police be instructed to strictly en- force the law relating to fireworks in the stricteSt possible manner.
 A communication was received from
 the Westerly Rod and Gun club pledg- ing the support of it's members to the state and the town, and their readiness to respond to service whenever re- quired by the governor or the town council. The communication was or dered on file zse..
 William C. Me+caIf captain in the | United States army, stationed in Rhode l Island. sent a communication to the i council. under authority of the war
 department, skiing for the formation inental uniforms. for tf1e purpose of fle.p ping the recruiting work for the army. The communication was re- 1 farred to Councilman Frederick sE. | Fowler, with the idea of getting tie 1 Westerly troop of Boy Scouts interest
 ed in the project.
 i A petition nu1,erousIy signed by er- ployes of the CottrelI plant was re- ceived asking for the abatemept of the
 nuisance caused by floating oily sub
 stance in the Pawcatuck river that l was emitted from the plant of the | Westerly Light and Power company.
 The petition was referred to Town So- licitor Harry B. Agard and Councilman | Daniel Larkin.
 A claim from Abram Lieboirtz for
 damage done by dogs in killing fowl,
 and amounting to $S.35. was ordered
 paid It was stated that the owner of 1 the dog was known and the town so-
 licitor was queried as to whether the | dog owner was liable. It was explain
 ed that the town ought to pay the bill l but that it would not pay to bring ac- l ton against the owner of the dog un- less all the statutes relating thereto | had been strictly complied with on the part of the town. If the dog was un- l licensed 1t could be killed forthwith
 This feature was referred to the town 1 solicitor for investigation.
 | Licenses were ordered issued to E. F Knight and Alexander R. Paterson as
 
 Frederick c. Bufun1. E. Schultz, James Collins and Andrew J. Martin as tav- erners. Druggists liquor licenses were issued to Oscar c. Stott and August Larson. The petition of Franklin D Lawson to be a police constable for 1 between the Fall River Rovers and