New Britain herald., 1930-11-21
Annexations With Possible Increase of One Senator Considered of Year" Election Touched On - Judge Gaffney Elected Chairman, w. G. Gibney Secretary.

Aroused by the numerous claims against the city resulting from falls On icy and defective sidewalks, Mayor Quigley is strongly in favor of charter amendment to exempt tfre city from liability. he told the charter revision committee at the initial meeting in his office last night, and Corporation Counsel J. H. Kirkham was instructed to pre- pare draft for discussion at the next meeting, which will be held Friday, Nov. 2S.
 The corporation counsel had not arrived at the meeting when the mayor mentioned the matter as one of several which the committee would consider, and when he learn cd of it before adjou nment, he said he did not favor it. In the event of q general act being passed, exempt ing the entire state from liability. New Britain would benefit, the cor poration counsel pointed out, but he believed it unwise to seek special consideration.
 Mayor Quigley said settlements of claims for $500 and upwards are be- coming common, and it seemed that almost everyone who falls on a sidewalk and is injured expects the city to pay. Corporation Counsel kirkham observed that the charter amendment obtained two years ago, by which the maximum of damages collectible from the city in icy side walk cases was set at S1 ,000 was de- cidedly to the city's advantage and he would not favor seeking further special consideration.
 Collection of Assessments
 Another draft which will be pre- pared for discussion at the next meeting concerns the collection by the city of assessments for street improvements before the work is done. Mayor Quigley said it was un- fair to property owners to require them to pay their asse essments and not receive the benefits, but the charter gives the city the right to collect in this manner and place iiNiio iCi idllult lo pay, dllu IL should be changed. Property owners on Arch street paid for the widen ing of the street and the work has not been done, he said, and Judge B. F. Gaffney observed that a street extension ordered 40 years ago had and the street has yet to be put through.
 AnneNatiOns Coming Up
 Opening the meeting. Mayor Quig- Icy said hei considered the work be- fore the committee the most impor- tant since the consolidation of the town and city governments in 1906. The proposed annexation of Maple Hill and Elm Hill, which are part Of the town of Newington, also the proposed annexation of part of kensington below Willow Brook park. part of Southington 10 take in the Shuttle Meadow golf course property and Lake Shuttle Meadow, and possibly part of Plainville be- 1ond Wooster street where the west canal flows, are especially impor- tant he said
 The proposed semi-annual collec- ton of taxes may be provided for without a charter amendment. he continued. but consideration should be given 10 an amendment to give the building commission charge of all city buildings, also an amend ment to create an insurance commits sion. Numerous other matters would probably come up for action, he said. and considerable. work for the committee be involved.
 Judge Gaffney Chairman
 The mayors suggestion that the committee elect a chairman, a vice chairman and a secretary was adopted. Judge B. F. Gaffney pro- posed that Mayor Quigley be chair man but the mayor declined and Attorney M. A. Sexton nominated Judge Gaffney, who was unanimous ly elected Attorney Sexton norni- mated Mayor D. F. Curtis for vice chairman but the latter declined and