The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-03-05

4AtG btNkQ UA 0lhSktASAA NOtCA N 5000 additional appropriation for the corporation counsel's office at its regular meeting last night, Pur- pose Of the appropriation is to de- fray expenses of the clty's defense In lawsuits developing from the re- cent tax revaluation. It was one of the busiest sessions of the board. Other action by the board in- cluded: appointment of Thomas E. Butler of Wolcott Street, as assis- tant building inspector for the city; plan to open the Hodson property for sale bids: withdrawal of the zoning request of Roger Manhan who petltioned to build 0 theater in the Overlook section; plans for public hearings on varied zoning requests.
 By vote of e-6 the board pas- sed the appropriation of $l0,000 for the city's legal office No one yet having been appointed to re- place It. Col. J. Peter Costigan c. o. P, alderman who resigned last week, resulted in the final vote,
 MartlnO Speeks
 A. R. Martino spoke for five min utes before the board as @ public citizen and protested against the appropriation asking that some other means be found for spacing the anticipated suits that the cost of defense would not be increased He said that the present staff was sufficiently large to handle the matter. Mir, Martino is eo-chairman of the legislative committee of the Council of Community Clubs.
 James M. Lynch majority leader of the board led the proponents ot the measure and urged adoption Of the appropriation as a means oi self-defence for the city.
 "The very people who opposed the reValuation and brought about these suits now are opposing thC city's right to defend itself, These people forget the city is not a cor poration made up of 0 few bu made up of the entire population of Waterbury"
 Richard D. Bensen, minority leader, in opposing the suit, asked if 1t wouldn't be better to Set whether more suits are filed before the appropriation Is made.
 Burton Walker (R) said he wa! pessimistic about the situation Claiming that too many appropria' tions are being entered. He and MT Lynch clashed over the technicali' ties of the charter applying t spending of such appropriations,
 Thomas E. Butler, Jr., son Of MT and Mrs. T. E. Butler, i98 Wolcot Street was named by the board las night to the position of assistan building inspector to assist John T Hartley chief inspector. He Will re ceive $2,90s.S3 annually.
 A veteran of 42 months in tn Sea Bees in the Alaskan and west ern Pacific area. he is graduate of local school and formerly as sisted his father in the contractinl business. The post Is 8 new one ! name only having been formerI known as sign inspector.
 The board voted permission t bid TOT aus Oll tAAS EASA'0AA Rs.~F ertv on Columbia Blvd, which ha been foreclosed for $l0,004.49 I taxes.
 Withdraws Request
 Roger Mahan, local theate chain owner withdrew his requeS for a zoning change to permit cree ton of a theater on the corner 0 Earl Street ana Roseiand Avenue Considerable protest to the planne construction had been expressed D some residents of the area. Tnes had appeared at a previous zonin appeal hearing. A letter was req from the Overlook Club stating It position to be neutral" The lette stated that the plans for the pro posed theater sounded good" bu the club felt it had no authority speak for the entire neighborhoot
 Attorney James D. Slavin aske the city to accept conveyance c property on Railroad Hill Stree that a retaining wall which sup ports the street might be repaired The land was offered free of en cumbrances and was accepted D the board.
 M. J. Sullivan, real-estate opera tor had his bids for several lots re