New Britain herald., 1929-07-26
Restrictive Building Orr dinance Signed By Governor Ten Days Alter Legal Limit Normal School Built By Questioned Acts.
City Officials Frankly Question Validity of Vital Measures as Re- suit of Legal Bombshen Exploded by Supreme Court of Errors.

Based on yesterdays supreme court decision that legislative enact- ments not signed by the governor within three days after adjournment of the General Assembly are void, city officials today frankly ques- toned the legal existence of zoning act here.
 Numerous other vital questions touching upon the validity of insti- tutions and governmental agencies and functionings were placed in the same category, many important acts of legislation affecting New Britain having been ofund to have passed the three e-day period before the gov- crnor affixed his signature. A question was raised in City hall | today as to whether these enact- ments are voided automatically or if ! it will be necessary to obtain court decision so declaring them, the pro- cedure followed out in the McCook case, in which the law was estab- lished. City officials expressed be- lief that the General Assembly will be convened in special session and validate the acts before advantage is taken of the extra ordinary condi- tion existing today.
 1 Zoning Act Most Important Chief interest. locally, centered about the zoning act. At the 1925 session of the legislature a special act was introduced to enable this city to set up a building restrictive law, creating districts and regulating the types of construction. uses. and building set-backs. At the same session a public act was passed which enabled all municipalities in the state to create zoning ordinances.
 The legislature adjourned that year on the third day of June. and under tho statutes. June 6 was the last day upon which the governor could legalize an act by affixing his signature. However. he did not sign the New Britain enabling act until June 16. and eight days later. June 24, he signed the general en- abling act.
 Adjustment Board Affected
 A bill creating the board of ad. iustment. specifying the method of it's organization. the manner of ap- peal to. this board. and it's powers to act, was also presented to this session and received the governors signature 13 days after the timo limit had expired.
 Since that time the powers of the board of adjustment have been inquired into the adjudicated in four courts-city. common pleas. supe- rior. and supreme court of Connects cut. Numerous property owners have been restrained from using their properties as their wishes dic- tated as a result of orders issued by the board, the legal existence of which is challenged by the McCook decision.
 Normal School Much Involved
 1llegality, as outlined in the decis sion written by Chief Justice Wheel or and agreed 10 by his associate justices. has marked nearly every step taken in the realization of the new State Normal school plant here.
 At the 1919 session a bill was passed appropriating s60.0oo for purchase of the Stanley Quarter plot as a site for the new state institu- ton. The assembly adjourned May s. and six days ater Governor Hol- comb signed the bill. The time limit had expired three days pre-. viously.
 Two years later, at the 1921 ses- sion. an appropriation of S750.0o0 was made for the purpose of build- ing and equipping the school. The legislature adjourned for the year on June S. and it was six days later when Governor Lake signed the bill.
 The 1923 session had no legisla- tion of interest to the State Normal school administration, but two years later there were two bills. The first of these made an allowance of S10,- GOO for grading and sidewalks and the second S3.T50 for equipment reeded to complete furnishing of the school. Governor Trumbull signed the first bill % days after adjourn ment. which came June 3 and the second 12 days after the time limit had expired.
 The bill to appropriate S350.000 for the dormtory building soon to be occupied was passed at the 1927 session and sent to the governor. He
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