New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-07-19
MAYOR SKEP7ICAL
ON H. S. ADDITION
School Board Member Proves 10
Be Poor Salesman
PA0NESSA FOR MORT
Conference Lasts More Than Two
Hours But Is Devoid of Results
Plans Being Revised At Meeting
This Afternoon.

After more than two hours of CON
ference with School Committeeman
George Le Witt, a member of the
accommodations committee which is
under fire as result OF the proposal
that an addition to the senior hish
school to be constructed under the
supervision of the Warren Holmes
Powers Co, Lansing, Michigan,
architects, Mayor Paonessa an
nounced this afternoon he is far
from SOLD on the project.
The mayor advised Mr.. I.e Witt
that he would oppose any attempt
TO install cafeteria in the proposed
new building; that he was convinced
new senior high school north of
the railroad tracks is the wish of a
malo'lty of people; and that pub
lie forum should precede any at
tempt 10 eXpend school funds along
this line
Mr.. lie Wits conference began a
few minutes after the mayor
reached his office at 10 a. m. and
continued until after the MONDAY
factory whistles blew. In the mean
time line of men and women
waited in the ante-room for an op-
portunity to interview the mayor.
A bulky roll of blue prints brought
by the school committeeman re-
mained on the mayors table un-
touched when he closed office this
afternoon. These prints, the mayor
said he was told. are the plans for
the proposed new building.
Opposition Strong
The proposed addition to the
senior high school has met more op-
position, it Is believed. than any
plan heretofore proposed by any
school board, Alderman Frank
Zapatka OF the nth ward has sew
cral hundred names on a petition
circulated in protest against the
building: Senator Edward +. Hall
chairman of the board OF finance
and taxation. shares the mayors s
view against a cafeteria: Finance
Commissioner Francis c. Kelly has
expressed objection: Councilman n
William y. Boyle has declared he
VIII not vote to place any funds in
the hands of the present school ac-
commodations committee for dis
bursement; Councilman Samuel Sab-
lotsky is unalterabIy opposed to the
program. and the mayor refused to
sanction any appropriation
In the meantime. the school ac-
on the Job which are apprcyim ately
$3.50. 900 higher than the estimate
made by Architect Holmes when he
was engaged to prepare the plans.
Having made an agreement with
Mr.. Holmes that he is to receive no
fee unless bona fde bids are re-
c"iNed within the s35o.o0o figure
the school committeeman are in
Guandary as to whether they must
start anew or disregard the previ-
GUS agreement.
Attempting to Revise Plans
Architect Holmes. Supt Holmes
and members of the committee are
scheduled to confer this afternoon
at the Offices of the school commit
tee in an effort to revise the plans
to bring them within the original
estimate. Whether such a revision
will require altering the building so
as TO necessitate new competition
among architects cannot be said at
this time. but those who have
studied the program from a financial
standpoint question the possibility
Of eliminating more than one-third
OF the cost without fundamental
changes in the plan.