New Britain herald., 1925-03-19
LIVELY DISPUTE ON
 STREET WIDENING
Question Finally Referred to
 Special Council Committee
TAX RATE OF 22 1-2 MILLS
Increase Blamed on Large Budget and Small Grand List-May Change Fire House-Stores to Close "Wednesday Afternoons.

That the city had no right 10 cut down the sidewalks on Main street and use the space as a highway was the assertion of Martin Lough- lin, proprietor of the Loughlin store on Main street, last night in opposing the widening suggestion, which was being discussed by the council. He said that the city was merely the guardian over the side walks and the property owners were the ones 10 decide about the giving up Of space. He differed with Cor poration Counsel William N. De- rosier, as the corporation counsel in- formed MT. Loughlin that the wrong impression had established itself in the minds of several of the property owners in regard to the socalled "confscation."
 William J. Tracy, another large property owner, also discussed the widening measure, favoring the re- moval of the land on the east side, rather than the west side. He thought that the cutting down of the sidewalks would injure the prop erty values. Mir. Tracy prevented a long controversy on the matter, that seemed about to boil over, when he suggested to the council that a spe- cial committee be appointed 10 dis euss the matter with the merchants and property owners and then re- port to the council. Mayor John F. Wade appointed City Engineer C. w. Buell, Superintendent of Public Works Oscar Anderson, Corporation Counsel w. N. Derosier and Council man Homer H. Judd as the special committee. This committee will choose it's own chairman and hold a hearing in the near future in the city court room.
 City Budget.
 It wifi cost s9SS,S97.0S to run the general City of Bristol, in addition to s131,S32.21 for the first taxing district and s1,026.66 for the second taxing district, according to the bud get for the present fiscal year which was adopted at the meeting of the city council last night. Not all of these amounts will have to be raised by taxation as the city has receipts in other forms which will assist in meeting some of the expense.
 May Change Fire House
 Changing of the Cncas fire house from North Main street to new site on Federal Hill will be dis cussed at @ public hearing on next Tuesday night at 7:30 o'clock in the city court room. according 10 vote of the council.
 The esta blishmcnt of a fire house in the hill section has been con- sidcred since the rapid growth of that section. As the city is not able to erect a new station and equip the place and also continue all of the other fire houses, the fire commits sioners at their last meeting con- sdered the changing of the Uncas house.
 Speaking of the attitude of the fire board, Councilman Frank w. Dutton said last night that the board had considered the low pres sure of the hill section as far as the city water supply was concerned and thought that pumping engine would be installed there. The board the cheapest and best plan for the present was the transfer of the Uncas company to new quarters
 The suggestion of such a change has aroused strong opposing sen-ti- ment as the northside residents be- lieve that their fire hazard will be by such a move. Officials