The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-10-04
Porter House Discussed

Porter House Discussed
 Discussion of the hazard caused by the jutting out of the Porter house on Woodbine street, forming a sharp curve, revealed that sev- eral of the group of burgesses who investigated last month do not feel it very practicable to move the house.
 Burgess Thomas Broder felt there is not enough room to move it and when the warden suggested the house be turned around, it was pointed out there were grages on the opposite side. It was brought out that when the burgesses were in- specting the place, woman and child were nearly hit by an auto at the curve.
 The burgesseS are agreed that something must be done to correct the conditions but just what can be done with the Porter house, reputed to be the place where George Washington stayed overnight, is un- certain. The warden felt the bur- gesses could decide betted after Acting Borough Engineer Charles Hitchcock lays stakes for the pro- posed new street line there.
 Burgess Joseph Nygren suggested that because of the history connect ed with the place, it would be a good idea to see if some society or individual might be willing to buy it. He said he would not like to see it destroyed. Warden Sheridan agreed in this. He indicated the present owner of the borough show ed willingness to cooperate with the borough.
 When Warden Sheridan brought up the matter of laying 1000 feet of granite curbing on Cemetery street and High street, it was brought out it may be necessary to remove two large and old maple trees there.
 The board approved the plans for laying the curb and hard surface half-inch trapped rock rolled walk there from North Main street to within about 300 feet of Oak street school, but Burgess Fremont Hoad- ley asked if there be any way to lay the walk and still let the two trees stand, that this be done. He said he hates to see trees destroyed. The remainder of the walk, that is as far as the school, will be com- pleted when additional curb is se- cured but at present there is 1000 feet available. There will be no cost to the cemetery association on this. The association through its officer, Emil, Mannweiler, /has agreed re- to removal fthe trees, MT. Sheridan said.
 Parking Restriction
 On motion by Bugess Leo Smi- gelski, it was decided to ban park ing for a 24-hour per day period on the south side of Spring street between Bridge and Anderson streets. MT. Smigelski pointed out the street is narrow there, there is speeding and school children have to cross it, with a traffic hazard prevailing.
 Plans for removing the sharp corner at the southwest junction of Hillside avenue and Meadow street were discussed by the board, when a letter was received from Dr. George A. Cronin, owner of the land at the corner, indicating the willingness of the owner to cooperate if fair terms were offered.
 It was pointed out this is a dan yerous corner and it will be neces- sary to get some land from the owner theer to correct the conditions. The engineer was in- 'tructed to submit plans on the work for the next meeting.
 It is believed after that a com- mittee from the board will be named 10 confer with the property owner. The owner of the land on the op- oosite corner is reluctant to sell part of it. the warden said, but 5here is not as much traffic from he north side of the street.
 Join Association
 A letter was received from the Connecticut Rural Road Improve nent Association, Inc, via Louis rolles, president, pointing out that with other towns in the state has benefited much by the act lnder which $l7,750 is assigned to owns each year for upkeep of rural 'oads. The letter said that there lave been efforts to have this act | 'epealed and the money kept in the tate highway fund. It indicated if | he association were to keep up its | work of endeavoring to maintain the l Ict, it would need funds and sug- rested a $25-per-year contribution | rom each town.
 The warden felt it was an import mt matter and said the money from | he state for this purpose is used lere each year to maintain roads. The board voted that the borough | rive the $25 to the association and named Warden Sheridan as its representative to vote at meetings if the association. Tt seems to me 'retty cheap insurance for this town