New Britain herald., 1926-03-06
PLANNING BOARD SHOULD BE AIDED

der tho pruning system Of tho board Of finance and taxation and the Common Council it is hamstrung and cannot carry out any Of tho work It had anticipated for the year, Chairman Harry G, Hancock, In explaining why only two members were present at the last meeting at trIbuted the absence of others to tho fact they were dissatisfied with the lack of the requested appropria- lion of sI,500 for the year,
 If the planning commission is to exist and function at all 1t requires little appropriation to that end, If it Is not regarded as worthy part of the citys machinery Of govern ment the city may us we'll say 50 definitely give reasons for tho con- clus!on and decide to amend the charter provision detailing the legal functions of the commission.
 Ii Is regrettable to learn that one 0. the chief efforts Of the planning board for the year, one that was des- tined 10 save the water commission CTS more money than the appropria- ton for the planning commission, may have 10 be abandoned. This refers to the proposed extension of Monroe street one block to Ellis street, between Glen and Bassett streets, whereby a new crosstown highway without railroad grade crossings could be attained. The possibility of avoiding the construc- ton of loop In water mains it. self would amount to much more than the appropriation for the plan ming commission. this in addition to { the advantages of creating new and straight thoroughfare.
 The planning commission, through Chairman Hancock. deserves credit for calling attention to the situation. The commission is supposed to be an integral part of the city gov ernment and as such is entitled to 1 sufficient funds to function. It was | a mistake to deny to the commission the small appropriation needed. The mistake should ge rectified before 1t Is too late. There Is no logic in abandoning the commission. The small appropriation probably would have no noticeable effect upon the tax rate,
 The mayor should take action at once and see to it that the com mission ceases to be hamstrung. Public opinion is with the scheme l 10 have an effective commission, i There has been much favorable dis cussion in the past regarding the need for such q body, and the fact that the commission had a progress siyc program that would have inured 10 the benefit ot the entire city in- dicatcs the members took them selves as seriously as tho public ox- pccted they should be taken, The finance board and the Common Council pruned entirely too much when tine appropriation needed was droprcd. Ttr value Of q board shoull hc judged by its probable pcrformqnccs. and with such q yard stick the planning commission meets cu.ry requirement..
 When tAe commission WAS re- ,lunoj from If 10 nino members His WAS dona in the interest of ,1.rjrncy. The mayor, tho city en- ! 2jn,ur oud the chairman of the park commission are rx-otfic!o members, fae other members being Harry c. Hancock. Saul r. WasNowIt2 Louis ! ra,loni. John A. Andrews. John J. lH~rtns and Anton Cl~srrshi, The naH.t has advisory connections with u.ar.y ,}rry branch uf th" city Eov~ ,r-m.ut and 10 )s2r,iz, many actions Of importance it Is u"cp ssaty 10 SC ,3r. au opinion rom the city plan I.I& Tba commission is r&r'cted to junction in conjunction with the po- lje., pH,Ie works. park, school and legislative branches of the city gov ,rnmaut, anI its work goes even
 m#dor tAau the umirs of the Com mon Council Tho nr" charter re- q4ir-- that tHc Common Council mu*' refer 10 Inc planning commis- sion all questions concerning the 10, ,Hioa og any public building, street h.a1~ay, park or square for con rHNaf.on and receive a report bc. 5or, fual action can he taken. Th' lr"dmnnt 10 tn" charter passed b! tL. Ia@t Gen Il Assembly created '..s" ot1earory provisions; now th' .r..r .pa.r-n:} is at"mptinE 10 sHjf
 v7v rmu m" -,ral requirements umaa11 ny refusing an arpro. wa.oo
 T1. .aArr demands certain ..i.-s o. .1o r'an@ns commission a., ~oo- c..r .nd'asors will h. " sH nme~e 'Aa planning comlniS ~,a s~ e..,o opportunity 10 function .aa tu" c'#t.rr amrulm"nt provides ': .'U3 time 70 backNu'tT a Ltt.'