Norwich bulletin., 1919-12-06
NEW ,LONDON'S WATER SUPPLY

their attorney, Harry B. Agard to pur- chase the property and the first move was accomplished.
 The next move was to get the en- ldorsement of the, New L.Sndon Cham Der of Comnierceaard this vas done to turn A committee of that body made an exhaustive report to the court Of common council strongly rec ommending the purchase of Miller pond as additional source of water supply, setting forth advantages that were not elsewhere available. In fact, so it was urged, it was absolutely nec- essary to. have Miller pond.. In the meantime the board of water commis- sioners had been doing extensive in vestigation3s and recommended to the court of common council the purchase of the Bogue brook water shed. Right here is where the local supporters of the Miller pond project got in their fine work which swould help out the | financial project of the Westerly gen tlemen. The chairman of the cham | Der of commerce committee came out | in the local press ill favor of Miller pond and strongly against Bogue | brook. and even questioned the tudg- ment of the water board. On the night that council action
 was to be taken every member had re- ceived letter urging them not | to adopt the commissioners plan. To table it, slfelve it, pigeon hole it. do anything but pass it. It was again
 explained that the Miller pond was 1 the only feasible project. I It was about this time it became known that l the sale of the pond to the city would net the gentlemen who bought the pond on speculation snug profit;
 some s40,000.' That made no difference to the city fathers, or a majority of l them for 1T it was essential that the city have the pond, the price should be no obstacle, as it was worth the price to the city. In fact it was stated that the Westerly gentlemen made the purchase to save the pond for the city.
 The chamber of commerce commit teeman intimated that the city was
 not getting . square deal from the commissioners. and influence was
 brought to bear that resulted in a
 hold-up of the commissioners recon mendation. The examination and in lvestigation of the venerable engineel ,of the water works were questioned
 although it has been hinted that he
 was not enthusiastic over the Rogue
 brook plan. There was a call for ar
 experienced and disinterested engi
 neer to make investigation and report
 and, as matter of course, with the
 expectation, that he would make re
 port in favor Of the Miller pond plan
 A competent civil engineer from tn,
 progressive city of Waterbury was SC
 cured. He came. He investigated. Il Ina 3A fo lao<
 cil direct, in which he set forth that |
 would be to the best interests of tho
 city to adopt the Rogue brook plan
 and abandon the Miller pond idea, Tn
 water that would come from tht
 Bogue pond would be suitable fo
 drinking and all domestic purpose
 ard that from Miller pond was not al
 good for these important purposes. Il addition to purchase Miller pon,
 would mean a permanent expense ol
 the city and would necessitate pump ing stations, while there would be II,
 such. expense in connection with tn
 Bogue brock plan.
 That report put the kibosh on Mil
 Ter pond as ar added source of wate
 supply for the city Of New London
 and now the owners are free to de
 vote their purchase to manufacturin
 purposes as was intiInated was tn
 intention rn' 'ess the city decided t
 purchase within q specified time Tn Westerly gentlemen will not lose muc
 by the transaction, as they secured
 large property for a comparativel
 small amount of money and probabi
 would not have much difficulty i l making transfer without very nluc
 loss. It is cock-sure they will no make any such profit had the city ( New London become the purchaser. 2 , the meeting when the report of tn : disinterested engineer was receive r votes were passed authorizing the wa ter commissioners to make the Bogl brook purchase and to carry out th ? plans that will insure an adeQuat supply Of water for some time int i the future. At least ohe New Londc 7 attorney made an honest penny in a! Y sisting in the transfer of the Mill, r. pond property to the present owner I ! Whether or not other pennies wel y passed the deponent knoweth not.
 The indications are at this writtr I that Mayor Morgans plan to wide 7 Bradley street will meet the san : fate as did the proposition to exter
 Main to riley street, Washington
 |, Reed street and Pequot avenue aero V the cove to Division across Bank al t into Truman street.e There was 10 5. and lots and lots of talk of u r. schemes and they all ended ill tai v There does not seem to be as nut d interest in the Bradley street proje t as in any of the others. It was u l. mayors plan al the start to not on !, join Bradley with Main street al .u widen the former, but to continue |, 5, widening process down Bank street . Tilley. Just at the present time Il '' mayor and his committee are conf ing their efforts to the widening n Bradley street, but they are not irnee : ing with public encouragement. T