New Britain herald., 1928-08-29
MAY EXPERIMENT
ON CITY Streets
New Type Of Paving Proposed
for Two Highways

Parts of West Main and East
Main streets may be given new sur
faces, according to plans discussed
at the meeting of the board OF public
works last evening. These streets
represent two of the most import
ant highways in the city and board
discussed a proposition for the eA-
detrimental laying of 1000 square
Yards of surface asphalt on each OF
the highways and left the decision to
the chairman and engineer. Both
were in favor of 1t as were members
of the board
The discussion Of the proposed
work followed a proposition made by
the c. w. Blakelee Co. of. New
Haven which has new process OF
street surfacing which it is claimed
would be ideal for West Main and
East Main streets because of the ex-
cellent foundations there. According
to a representative of tn company
| present at the meeting, the new
process would leave the streets with =
smooth surface without tearing up
the foundations which have been
pounded solid through the years The
New Haven company guarantees the
work. The representative told the
board that the process was new In
this part of the country but was used
extensively in the middle west.
The company has special ma
chine which first levels the rough
surface of the highway. Another ma
chine, which has not been used in
this vicinity yet, heats the surface to
such a degree that workmen on 1t
have to use special wooden shoes,
and then asphalt is welded over the
old surface. The cost of the work
varies from $l.os to $3.50 a square
yard according to the amount of
work done The board considered
these prices low.
The board considered authorizing
the Blakelee company to lay 1000
square yards of the top pavement on
West Main street between South
Burritt and Lincoln streets and a
similar amount on East Main street
at Landers, Frary & Clark's factory
where tn surface Is very rough A
decision will be made in a few days
by Chairman George r. Dobson and
City Engineer Philip Merriam and II
is probable that work will be started
soon on the experimental sections
If it is found satisfactory, the pave
ment will probably be used on sew
eral important highways. The Ne"
Haven company is finishing large
amount of work in that city and Ii
anxious to have the board make ar
early decision SO that it can start the
work here at once.
Wilcox Street Extension
A large number of complaints
were made to the board at a hear
ing on taking land for highway pur
poses from West to North streets, in
GLIDING Erwin Place, the highway t.
Nearly score of property owner!
We're present and many Of them dis
covered that the widening would GU
into their property.
In many cases steps and hedge
would be taken away and In on
case the steps of the Ukrainian hal
: would have to be removed. TIL
board proposed to widen the stree
10 feet on the west side to max
1t 80 feet in width. One man SAT-
that with the proposed acceptance
and extension he would have tn
| CIV ~
on the other and he would then b
\ quite willing to sell his property t
the city.
Upon taking a vote it was dis
! covered that a slight majority o
= the owners favored the acceptance
and extension OF the street. Thos
in opposition said that they woul
= agree to the move if the 10 foo
|, widening on the west side was re
i, duced to five feet. That, however
instead of the IS feet favored b,
:, the city engineer who said that tn
< street over which two buses pas
n would be much too narrow. Tn
board voted to lay the matter owe
for inspection. In the meanwhil
f stakes will be placed along tn
= route so that the owners may know
II exactly how far back the street will
: extend if the work is done.
j. 1T was voted to recommend tn
:. establishment of street and grad
e lines on North street, betwee,
s Beaver and Sexton street. followin
h hearing of the property owner
G involved. There will be no chang
q IN the property lines and the own
g ers We're all in favor of the work
! Removal Of Trees Costly
) The board spent considerab l
time discussing the removal Q
= trees and voiced disapproval of
i number of petitions it has been re
ceiving. in view of the comparative
ly small amount of money Above
for the work. The city engineer toll
the board that the $500 above
>, this year is almost gone and h
- recommended that unless a remova
is found absolutely necessary. tn
,f petitioners be given permission t
=, remove the trees themselves.
It was voted. however. to cor
= tract for the removal Of two lars
d elm trees on Washington stree
= near the corner of West Main. {
S. five large trees two have been foun
dangerous and they will be take
" out Three others will be repaire,
= Following an inspection of fou
!. trees on Washington street near ii
IL railroad crossing, II was found ths
y