New Britain herald., 1925-03-09
ASK REOPEN|NG OF GAS STATION CASE West Main Street Residents
 Make Application to StOeckd S2 EXPRESS INTEREST
Board of Public Works May Block Opening of Business by Forbiddins Use of Curb Pumps by Standard oil Go.

Formal application was made to- day to Robbins B. Stoeckel, commits sioner of motor vehicles, for a re- opening of the O'Connel gasoline filling station matter, fasorablly de- cided last week by the commission CT.
 Douglas Johnston of the City Coal and Wood Co.,, who is one of the property owners on West Main street who signed remonstrance against granting the permit, has taken the initiative in asking the new hearing, and Judge Bernard F. Gaffney is acting as counsel for those seeking review of facts in the case.
 There are S2 property owners in terested In a reversal of last week 8 decision, Mr. Johnston said this af- ternoon, and it is his intention to fight the matter to finish. In the event Of failure to convince the motor vehicle commissioner of the desirability of withdrawing the per- init, it is the intention of property owners to block a building permit for the station.
 Public Works Board Oyerruled
 The O'Connell site is now occupied by Charles P. Mccarthy who has been given Q permit for a new sta ton east of his present site. The board of public works, acting at the request of large number of proper ty owners. held a hearing and re- fused to approve the petition of Drs. D. W. and J. J. O'Connell for con- tinuance of their present holdings as gasoline filling station after Mccarthy vacates. Breaking all pre- ccdent, Commissioner Stoeckel de- clined to accept the recommendation and issued a permit. A lease has been signed by which the Standard Oil Co. will take over the station.
 Although permission has bean given to sell gas, it does not follow that this privilege will be exercised at least without strong opposition from owners of properties adjacent, it became known today with the an- nounccment of Johnston's appeal.
 MT. Johnston intends to bring a large delegation to the hearing and he believes when Commissioner Stoeckel is appraised of additional facts he will sec the matter in a different light and recall the permit.
 Board to Discuss Decision.
 Commissioner Stoeckel's action in rejecting the recommendation of the public works board will come up for discussion tomorrow evening at a meeting Of that commission, Chair man Frank L. Conlon said this after noon.
 It is understood that members of the board are planning to invoke an ordinance adopted some time ago which prohibits new gasoline filling stations with curb pumps. The pumps on the O'Conncll site are at the curb. When the station is vacat- ed by Mccarthy the site will be re- garded as new station and If it Is to be continued it can be only as drive-in station. This will necessitate removing the present building or erecting a new one and favorable action by the building commission is a prerequisite. Property owners will rcmonstrate against granting the necessary building permit and will in this way, they anticipate, be suc- Ccssful in holding up the station. If the pumps and tanks are to be re- moved, favorable action by the chiefs Of the fire and police departments is required. Absence of this approval will prevent continuance Of the fill- ing station.