New Britain herald., 1929-01-29
TOWN COURT BILL MEETS WITH FAVOR Hearing We'll Attended -0ne
 Change in Text JUDGE TO BE MADE CLERK Town Planners Hold Short Meeting Winds Blow Things About Property Transfcrs-High school Has Gamc-l}ricfs.
JUDGE TO BE MADE CLERK

lTOperty IranSfcrs-High School
 Has Gamc-l}ricfs.
 The proposed bill for a town court was. unanimously approved by about 30 persons who attended a hearing held by the Chamber of Commerce last night and the measure, after one minor change has been made in its provisions, is expected to be in- troduced into the general assembly by Representative Robert B. White.
 The hearing was sponsored by the l chambers legislative committee, of which s. s. Gwillim is chairman.
 MT. Gwillim, in explaining the bill and the benefits which would accrue to Plainville if it were adopted, stat cd that two years ago, when a sim iiar measure was before the assem-
 bly,, he was opposed to it. but now
 he has become convinced that it
 would be q distinct advance over the system of justice courts now in force
 here.
 Numerous questions were asked
 by those present, @nd several gave
 their views on tho matter. The gen.
 eral opinion wa that the justice sys-
 tenn was an unfair one. This lack of fairness, it was explained is due 10 the absence of any method of reiln =
 bursting tho court offic ers except by
 assessing costs of court on the prs-
 oner, and, it being felt that ihe COT
 stable and others cannot give their
 services and time for nothing. a
 small fine is usually meted cut, with
 costs of court added. In many of
 these cases, 1t was said. the o!fcnso
 is so trivial or non-eNistcnt tha. in
 a town court, where the officials have regular salaries, a finding ol
 not guilty would be promptly enter. cd or else the charges would bt nolled.
 Another advantage Of ;he towr court which has been pointed out j; 5 the provision for the keeping Of rec : ords. At present the only records arg the personal ones of the inliNidu;' l justices, and if a frequent offender l: brought Up before different justice. there is no way of showing tat ht has been convicted previously. It was this matter of keeping rec.
 ords which led to tho only "itlcisn
 of the bill at last nights hearing Tho draft prepared by the commit tee provides that the prosecuting at
 torney be tho clerk of the court. bu = the suggestion was made that th' :, fudge act as clerk. The bill wa . modelled on the statute creating ;
 town court in Bloomfield, and tn
 prosecutor is clerk there, but tn t general practice about the state 1 I for the judge to serve in that ca | pacity 9 The suggested chahge met witt l favor and will be incorporated int
 the bill.
 At the conclusion of the discus sion, the matter was put to vote |, and all present were found to be il ]. favor of the measure. It must b' presented to the assembly by Fri day, which is the last day for th' submitting of bills.
 . If the town court is adopted great credit will be due to Repre- II sentative White. who pushed a bil y for such a court two years ago onl. to meet with its rejection becaus :, of opposition. Undiscouraged. an'
 believing that town court was nee , cssary if justice was to be dispcnse' |, properly, Mir. White renewed hi n fight this year and has convinced tn former opponents of his plan that ]
 is a progressive step. The Chambe f of Commerce has also had hand il Q the matter this time and has work cd with Mir. White in preparing tn |. bill.
 Town Planners Meet |. The town plan commission held ; T. short meeting last night and dis V cussed Kent. Milford and Woodland
 streets. Secretary Frank T. Wheele t presented specifications and approXl s mate costs for the improving o . these streets, but no definite actiol : was taken. Several of the member
 wished to attend the town cour t hearing, so the meeting adjourne' . carly.
 c High Wind
 c A high wind blew things abou = the town last night and today bu . did not appear 10 have done an
 great damage. Movable sidewalk