New Britain herald., 1922-02-23
TOWN MEETING TO
 BE HELD MARCH 1 Will Lay a Tax and Discuss
 Sidewalk Construction OLD PORTER HOME SOLD
Mrs. John Mitchell Entertains At Birthday Observance Poultry Com niittcc To Hold Meeting and Win Make By-I.aWs-Bricf Items,

The board Of Selectmen have issued call for special town meeting to be held at the town hall on Wednes- day evening" March 1, at o'clock for the purpose of laying n suitable tax to meet the estimated expenses for the year ending 1922.
 Another important matter to be discussed will be on instructing the sclectmen what percentage. if any, shall be paid by the town for the future construction of sidewalks. A change in tthe bylaws relative to the laying of walks will also be recommended and acted upon.
 Although it has been mentioned that the next tax would be about 21 mills. Selectman Johnson believes that a possible rate Of 20 mills would be sufficient to cover the expenses. He Is working on the budget now and will suggest the amount needed at the meeting.
 The sidewalk proposition has been one long discussed and it is hoped by all officials that some decision may be reached whereby the town and property owners will be satisfied. The budget calls for $400 to be used for the construction of walks. The pres ent law reads that where the town sees fit to lay walks the property owner will be notified to do so. If he fails within 60 days, the work will be undertaken by the town and the owner given 90 days thereafter to pay for it. A lien is placed on his prop erty If he does not do this. It is planned to modify this law in some respects. One which would be more satisfactory and undoubtedly encour- age the property holders to construct walks will be presented.
 The new plan will be to have the town pay certain percentage towards the laying of walks where deemed necessary. Just what per centage would satisfy the people will be discussed. One amounting to 25 per cent will be suggested. Where long stretch is needed, instead of a walk in front of one house, other plans may be followed
 There are several places in the town which arc in need of sidewalks, one particularly at the beginning of West Main street in front of the Stanley and Lewis homes. From the railroad tracks to Prior's drug store is dirt walk, which is unsightly and inadequate. Other places are at the corner of Broad and Whiting streets, which is used constoantly by the school children and is at present in bad condition Park stret is also in bad shape and after a storm or heavy rain is almost impossible. Parts of East Main street also need walks.
 There has not been much work of this sort since the war, the expense of it being so great.
 Entcrtains on Birthday.
 Mrs. John Mitchell of East street celebrated her birthday yesterday by entertaining a number of her friends at her home. An observance of Washington's birthday was also held The home was prettily decorated for the occasion. A dainty lunch was served. During the afternoon an original poem was read. It was dedicated to Mrs Mitchell.
 Old Porter Home Sold
 A. Hepworth of East street, has purchased from Jeremiah B. Lewis, the old Porter home on New Britain road. This house. one of the oldest landmarks in Plainville, was erected in 1771 Mir. Hepworth intends to eventually repair the building and modernizc it to suit his ideas.
 Mir. Lewis, who bought the house in inf tion relating to its former owners. It was proba bly the first house to be built on that road and was erected by a man named Porter. Mir. Porter later sold it to Fannie Munson who in turn transferred it to l.. H. lin- coin, wei known among the older in- habitants of Plainville. Mir. Lincoln died some years ago. He used part of the building for tavern which shel- tered many a tired bicyclist and traveller. He was also engaged in the selling of monuments.
 The lumber in the old house was mostly hewed by hand from trees. Some of the blanks measure s inch es tin width and are nailed together with spikes forged at the builders own furnaces. The house contains eight rooms, all large, and has two ld-fashioned fireplaces, the chim- neys being built of stones secured from the surrounding fields.
 MT. Hepworth, who is engaged in the carpenter business, will not change the old place so that 1t will lose its ancient appearance. MT. Hop i worth is interested in oil paintings and has some excellent sketches of some of the old homes in the town, | one including the Cook place on New Britain road, also an old building
 Poultry Men To Meet
 The committee, appointed at the recent meeting of the Plainville Poul- try club to arrange for bylaws of the organization, will hold meeting to- night at the home of l.. s. Mills. They will draw up constitution and pre- sent it to the other members of the club at a meeting to be called later. It is expected that several new mem- bers will be taken in at the next meeting as the club is causing wide spread interest with the coming of spring and the poultry season com soon.
 Buys Furnace For Church
 The Ladies' Aid society of the Bap- list church has purchased new pipeless furnace for the ediflce which is being installed by F. P. Prior. The society, through its socials, sales and other events. contributed towards its fund for the furnace which has been