New Britain herald., 1923-02-08
TRACTOR PROPOSAL
 MEETS WITH FAVOR
Board Of Finance Hears It Could f. Be Used Year Round

Five thousand dollars Is wanted b,
 the board of public works for q cater
 pillar tractor and s2,b00 for n shove
 arm to use on the present drag lint
 sewer digger, according to City En'
 gineer J. D. Williams, who explained
 the budget of his department to ths
 board Of finance and taxation last eve.
 ming. Mir. Williams pointed out that
 considerable expense in the hiring oi
 teams, etc., could be saved by the purchase of this more modern equip nent.
 He showed where a caterpillar tractor with a snow blow attached would expedite the opening of streets to traffic following a severe snow storm. Sexton, Gilbert, Clark and other hill streets, were mentioned as places where tractor of this type could push a blow and clean the streets.
 1923 Year of Experience
 "We have learned lot of things about removing snow this year" com mented MT. Williams, to which A. N. Abbe replied, T don't doubt that in the least' Mir. Williams said the tractor could clean out gutters by dragging blow It would go quickly through streets filled with snow where men and teams must shovel their way.
 The tractor could be used the en- tire year around. It would take the place of teams in ripping up the sur face of streets for macadamizing dur ing the summer and it would reduce the expense of road building and grad ing to such an extent that the expense of operating it would be less than the cost of teams and men for the same Job, MT. Williams pointed out.
 Rented Shovel For S1 200
 The shovel arm would be attached to the sewer excavator and would save considerable labor in doing the heavy cutting and shallow grading during the usual construction work of the summer and would do snow show cling in the winter. There is cater pillar tread on the excavator which would convert that machine into prac- tically regular steam shovel. This winter the city found it necessary to pay S1,200 rent for one steam shovel to open a passage through the snow on Stanley street. This would be re- duced materially if the city owned it's own shovel. MT. Williams also stated that the purchase of the tractor and the shovel arm ought to save the city upwards of s1,500 on one item alone The attitude of the board appeared to be very favorable toward the pur- chase.
 MIn explaining the item for s550 for l new trees and $500 for cutting and trimming trees, MT. Williams said | most of this work is confined to re- | on old poplar trees which | are causing trouble in the sewer sys- tenn.
 $1O,OO0 For Removing Snow
 In asking for an appropriation of $10,000 for the removal of snow and ice, he stated that this has been the | most expensive year for this class of work in the history of the city. To date the city has spent S1S,000 for this one item. The largest item, prior to this was s12,000, while one winter it cost but $1,5O0.
 Oppose East End Park
 W. F. Brooks, Postmaster W. F. peared for the park budget. MT. Brooks explained that the park con- mission had been instructed by the council to ask for an appropriation of S1 5000 for the construction of an East End park, The park commits ,ioners did not think 1t wise to spend his amount of money for park at he east end, he stated, because it is proposed to ask for a bond issue of s50,000 for the Stanley Quarter park his year. He explained that main enance of property and skating at he Stanley Quarter park would cost .460, and an additional appropria ion of s1,000 would be required if here is swimming there this sum- ner. Swim ming is out of the question un- ess the bond issue is passed, the lake 'ottom cleaned out and filled for four 0 six inches with sand and the profile 1 f the lake adjusted properly. There lso would have to be some provision 1ade for an increased amount of lean water. This could be taken care ] f by running in some city water.
 Believes Playground is Wanted MT. Brooks explained what a beau I ful park the city will have at Willow f rock park when it is finished. He ( sferred to the proposed east end | ark by stating that what he thought s as wanted there was a playground T nd not an athletic park. There are T number of small parks about the [ ty which can be fixed up for play rounds, he said. but they will require j .nces. so as to prevent the public c om making thoroughfares across the o wn y Somewhere between the East street a