New Britain herald., 1926-03-10
O.K. WATER BOARD'S BUILDING PROGRAM
Members Give Sanction
 to New Structure
WADE BREAKS TWO TIES
Investigation Of Fall Mountain school Site -- Merchants Want Part of Main Street Widcned- Boy Scouts Have Banquet.

Boy scouts Have Banquet.
 The building program of the wa fer department, which calls for the erection Of an administration build ing on the Riverside avenue site, was sanctioned at special meeting of the city council last evening, Opin- ion, however, was equally divided and it was necessary for Mayor John r. Wade 10 exercise his prcrogatiye of casting the deciding vote to break an existing deadlock on two occa- sions
 Councilmon Homer Judd, William Hayes and Charles Anderson spoke against the proposed expenditure. which, it is thought will not exceed S25,000, while Councilmen William F, Hough, Raymond Crumb and Walter Merrill were in favor of the increased facilities.
 Mr. Hough outlined his position first, He stated that he appreciated tho present handicap under which the water department was working and suggested that if possible q building, to house simply the gar age and work rooms be erected on the Riverside avenue site and the office continued in it's present loca- ton on Main street. It was shown, however that probably not more than s5,000 would be saved by this change in plans and the probable rental for office space in the present location after the expiration of lease, July lst, 1926, would be $900 year.
 Councilman Merrill felt that addi- ttonal facilities were required by the water department, as they were very cramped under the present arrange mont
 Tt Is economy to spend money wisely" was Councilman Crumbs contribution 10 the discussion and he stated that unless the council could offer some suggestion that was more economical in the long run than the one outlined by the board of wa ter commissioners. ho was entirely in accord with the program worked out by them.
 Councilman Hayes and Anderson were both Of the same opinion, that wogk should be deferred at least for year or two until the city's finances should be deferred at least for a year or two until the city's finances should be in better shape. It was Mir, Hayes suggestion that the matter at least be held up until fail and the question put up to the voters. Councilman Crumb stated at this time that he felt that it was to decide such questions that they had been elected and the matter should be finally disposed of at the meeting then in session.
 Councilman Judd expressed him self aS cmphaticalIy against the building program, as in the first place Ac was opposed 10 the loca- ton, which was too far from the center of the city for the conyen- fence of the public.
 Supt, Of Public Works Oscar An dorson and City Engineer Buell. both spoke in favor of the project, as did Water Commissioners Wooding and Tracy and Superintendent Louric.
 Mayor Wade spoke last and in- formed the members of both boards that he felt as did Mir. Crumb that Tt is economy 10 spend money wisely" He stated that he had gtv- en the matter very grave considcra- ton and felt that, if the proposed program of the water board was turned down, q grave mistake would have been made. He pointed out that during his several terms as mayor, economy had been both preached and pracuced. but that in this instance he felt that economy could he praCticcd only by the sanc- tioning of the commissioners plans.
 After lengthy discussion, Coun- cilman Judd oftered'the motion that the $S0,000 included in the water departments appropriation be struck out of the 1926 city budget and the board be instructed to defer any building program until the matter had been taken up thoroughly with the city council. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson, The vote taken showed Anderson, Hayes and Judd in favor Of the mo- ton and Hough, Crumb and Mer- Till against. The mayor then pro. ceedcd 10 break the deadlock by voting no.
 4 motion was then offered by Councilman Crumb, that tho pro. gram of the water board be carried out as proposed. This motion was seconded by Mr. Merrill. The vote recorded showed Crumh, Hough and Merrill in favor of the motion and