New Britain herald., 1925-05-20
W. MAIN ST. LINE CAUSES FLARE.UP
Tabled Alter COnlOn and OhIsOn
 Have Dispute

A sharp clash of opinion between Chairman Frank l.. Eonlon and Commissioner John Ohlson over the adyisability of establishing q build ing line on West Main street fea. tured last nights session of the board of public works. Other mem. hers of the board were more or less divided as to which side they should adopt, and with everyone apparent. ly at loggerheads the matter was laid over till the next meeting of the board. Mir. ,Conon opposed the establishment of the line with Mr. Ohlson heading, tho opposite camp. Hall Gets Paving Contract
 The board voted 10 recommend to the city council that the contract for the paving Of Elm street from East Main street 10 the junction of Stanley street and Hartford avenue be awarded 10 the William II. Hall Construction Co.,, which was the only concern entering bid. The estimated cost is between $f7.500 and $lS,000. This cost includes the paving of the street with amiesite and also the scarifying and shap. ing Of the street Previous work of this company was commended by members at the meeting. who will also recommend 10 the council that the work on Elm street be started at once.
 The board also voted 10 recom- mend to the city council that the Millanc Co, Of Middlctown be award ed the contract for the spraying of elm trees in the city al cost of S5 cents a tree. City Engineer Joseph D. Williams here voiced the opinion that after last years particularly dry summer there was a very strong likelihood Of an oyer-abundance Of beetles infesting the trees this year.
 Conlon Would Save Trees
 The clash between Chairman Con. lon and Commissioner Ohlson arose apparently over q misunderstanding. the former being very emphaticallv opposed 10 the establishment of a building line, which he said the board was only endeavoring to put into effect with an ulterior motive. namely, the future widening of the street and the destruction of a valu- able stretch of trees on the north side Of the street near Grove Hill. Mir. Conlon said that he would favor the widening Of the street at once provided the widening were effected through the taking away of land from the south side Of the street where there were no trees 10 de. stroy.
 Commissioner Ohlson was quick 10 take exception. I've must look 10 the future" he said. Tt is not at all a matter of street widening. and anyway, who said anything 1 about widening the street? What 1 we want to do is sim ply to establish building line, so that if at any time i in the future. years from now, there [ here in New Britain which wants tc widen the street, then they will b, able 10 do it the easier. They vii 1 be protected. We are doing nothin; now at all 10 threaten the existence of the'trees, which you know canno | live forever anyway.
 New Britain anyway is 50 year' behind in city planning. and 1t i' about time we did something for tho future. And the establishing of the building line is our best protection in the future of West Main street."
 No Petition For Line
 "The board can suit itself in inc matter" Chairman Conlon funt back. "T don't want to be held ir any way responsible for anything which would lead 10 the destruction of those trees and the consequent squabhles sure 10 arise with resi-. dents of that district Why. the people up there did not even peti. 1 ton for the building line and q i building line is seldom. if ever. es, tabished without such q petition True we did have a hearing on it but you all know how many were 1 prescnt-some five or six. No, I am not in favor Of the building line which I know the board only wants for the purpose of causing the wid- cning Of inc street and the destruc- ton Of the trees. I'll vote for the widening of the street on the south side, hut on tho adoption of a meas ure which might place the existence Of such a beautiful line of trees in ] ieonardN we'll. III have nothing 10