New Britain herald., 1929-07-18

BarneSdale on the preceding evening and said the residents and property owners there were beginning to feel that they were entitled to know how things were progressing.
 City Engineer r. A. Merriam was called upon to reply. MT. Merriam said the job was held up because Of delays in getting the right of way over certain sections of land. He said the Hart and Hutchinson Co. now is willing to sign papers giving the city the right of way over com pany property and the Connecticut Light and Power Co. has granted right of way over its property and papers will be signed in few days. This leaves only the A. w. Williams and Sandberg properties, he sad. Due 10 difficulties in getting the Sandberg family to sign. Mir. Merriam said he is ready to turn the matter over to the board of compensation and assessment.
 Johnson vs. Merriam
 Alderman J. Gustave Johnson pre- cipitated a heated retort from Mr, Merriam when he said he had con- terred with members of the Sand berg family just a few hours before the meeting and that they said they had never been approached ana would be glad at any time to take the matter up with the city.
 Mir. Merian said the matter, which first came up last December, was discussed daily for two weeks in January with members Of the Sand berg family. On three occasions they were in the city engineers of flee to discuss it.
 We went into the matter thor oughly and even went to the trouble building lots and street lines. We had the Connecticut Light and Power representative there to help adjust differences between the com pany and the Sandbergs over the high tension lines. We had an agreement all ready for Mir. Sand berg, and when 1 took it to him 10 sign he said, I'm not ready to sign that yet, I want $5,000.' 1 told him had no authority to purchase land, that it was up to the board of com pensation and assessment.
 Will Mr. Sandberg stop in and sign that agreement tomorrow morning?" the engineer demanded in heated tones addressing his query to Alderman Johnson.
 Do you expect them 10 give you the right of way gratis?" asked MT. Johnson.
 Hart and Hutchison will give a strip 40 feet wide and 700 feet long" replied MT. Merriam.
 Asl, Final Report
 Alderman Johnson. who had sev- eral times made the claim that the Sandbergs were never approached on the proposition, added weight to Engineer Merian's claims when he asked, Isn't it true that you dil not make one proposition, but two?"
 The engineer said several plans had been suggested.
 Councilman Boyle objected to Mr. Johnson's cross examining the en- sineer. stating that Alderman John- Sandberg family
 On motion of Councilman Frank Conlin. the board of compensation and assessment was instructed to bring in a completed report to the next meeting of the common coun- cil.
 Claim Referred Back
 On recommendation of Mayor paonessa, the claim of Mrs. Eugene Blcau for damages resulting from d ferred back to the claims commit tee for third consideration.
 Mrs. Bleau was made ill by gas fumes which escaped while a private contractor was doing municipal work on Monroe street. The city was cov- cred by q bond, but Mrs. Bleau did not bring suit until year had elapsed and on that account her case could not be heard in court. She appealed to the city to pay her doctors bills and Mayor Paonessa re- ported to a previous meeting of the council that, in his opinion, some adjustment should be made. The council then asked him 10 make in qury.
 Last night the mayor produced copies of correspondence which showed Mrs. Bleau had filed her claim and had been in communica- ton with the bonding company within the one year period although she did not commence suit until later.
 In reply 10 questions, the mayor said some city official or officials had fallen down On the job" deprivng the claimant of what was rishtfully due her.
 Councilman Frank l., Conlon ex- pressed sympathy for Mrs Bleau but questioned whether the city could pay claim where legal liability did not lie. This and other questions were referred to the claims com mittee.
 To Consider Swimming Pool
 Councilman Joseph MlynarsN's $ resolution to have committee ap- pointed to consider the possibility of having a swimming pool in the fifth ward was passed. The councilman also introduced measures to have the Lock Shop pond" fenced and 10 have railroad properties similarly guarded He and other fifth ward members inquired. in a written rcso- luton, what progress had been made on the remaining of small parks after Polish heroes. and their inquiry was forwarded to the park commission for report.
 On motion of Alderman John r. Maerz, the sum of $500 was set aside 10 complete work on the Spanish