The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-05-24


STREET GRADING.
The grading of Pearl street was taken
up and petition in favor of the work
and remonstrance against 1t were read
Mr.. 9. III. Demary appeared before
the council and stated that large part
of the original petitioners in favor Of the
grading are now opposed to 1t, as they
had not supposed that it would cost any
such sum as $500. He asked that the
matter be delayed or indefinitely post.
poned.
The matter was laid over until the
next meeting.
A protest against the opening and
grading Sixth street was received, hav-
ing 40 signers. The original petition for
the opening had but Is signers.
A petition for the grading of Putnam
street from Locust to Beach was receiv-
ed and referred to the board of public
works.
THE ASSESSMENT RUMPUs.
A petition for a street light on the
corner of Sixth and Walnut SITS. was re-
ceiyed and referred to the committee
on lights.
A petition was received from residents
and property owners on Second street
praying that the action of the board of
review on the Second, Walnut and Fifth
street Improvement be amended so as
to afford them relief for the alleged ex-
cessive assessments.
Judge E. st. Julien Cox, of st. Peter,
attorney for these property owners, ap-
peared before the council on behalf of
his clients, and attempted to show that
no portion of the procedure on this as
sessment matter was according to the
requirements of the charter, as well as
being unjust. He held that the council
could remedy the injustice. City attor-
looked the matter up and did not think
that the city could refund or abate the
tax, or if it could he knew of no way by
which the council could levy a re-assess-
ment; after the matter has been taken
into court and the assessment adjudged
invalid, the council can make a re-as-
sessment. He thought that the only
resource for the petitioners was to take
the matter into court.
In reply to a question, 1t was stated
that the amount of taxes involved is
about $l20. 1t was suggested that the
amount be paid out of the city treasury.
The mayor stated that he was satisfied
that re-assessment could not be made,
but thought that the amount could be
paid out Of the city treasury as an ap-
preparation.
Aid. Schroeder moved that the PRAYER
Of the petitioners be not granted, in
order to throw the matter into court.
1t was feared that If the city made an
appropriation there would be no end
of claimants for q refunding of taxes.
Mr.. Shredder explained that he made
the motion IN order that justice might
be done. The motion was carried.
FIRE DEPARTMENT MATTERS.
The chief of the fire department re-
ported that M. L. Fallenstein, Gus Zen
epOliski, Joseph Hauerwas and Frank
Clements had been seriously injured at
recent fires and asked, in accordance
with the law, that relief be granted them
in the sum of $25 each for the first three
and IS for the last. The money for each
relief comes from the fireman's relief
fund, which amounts of 1884, besides
about $500 more which will soon come
from the state. The fund belongs to the
fire companies. The request was grant
ed and the money allowed to be drawn.
A request was received from the fire
department to purchase 1000 feet of
rubber hose. The fire committee recon-
mended~>9hes purchase. The request
stated that the department has only o.
800 feet on hand, part of which has been
used eight and ten wears. The rubber
hose costs about 81 q foot. Aid. john
son moved that the fire company be
authorized to purchase the hose. Aid.
Lamm moved an amendment making
the amount 500 feet. The amendment
was carried.
The water committee stated that as il
could not agree on a man for appoint
ment as engineer of the pumping station
1t had decided to leave the matter with
the council to make selection.
ANOTHER TELEPHONE co.
Mr.. A. 7. Foster, agent of the Gem
Tele phone Co., asked that his company
have PERMISSION to erect poles on the
streetsssfor telephone system. He
stated that he would like to begin work
next week. He said that each man
would own his own instrument, and
that the cost of the service would be re.
duced one-half the present rate. The
matter was referred to the street com.
mittee to report at the next meeting
In reply to question, Mr.. Foster stated
that he knew of no reason why the poles
should not be placed in the alleys to
some extent.
The report of the water committee
was again taken up. A written report
was read, stating the duties of the en-.
gineer. His salary Is placed at $3.50 9
year, besides dwelling at the pumping
station and lights and fuel. The duties
include about everything that is likely
to be required. The report was adopted
The city engineer stated that the new
city pump would probably be shipped
next week. He was instructed to order
the necessary pipe and valves for the
connections at the well and pumping
station. Mr.. Lilly stated that the city
reservoir Is not in condition to hold wa
ter. The bottom is in very bad con
dition, the plaster having frozen after
the water was turned out last winter
He said that the cement company haC
agreed to put in a new bottom and guar
re- ntee it. Mr.. Lilly was authorized Il
ascertain what the cement company
would charge for the work and repor
at the next meeting.
| MORE WATER MAINS.
:, The engineer urged that the city pro
coed to put in the water main extension
believing that now is good time to re
ceive bids for the work. He recon
mended that 81 500 be allowed G. G
Quinn and $500 to Perry Wysong, ant
SIS, 482. 80 less Is per cent. to the sewe
contractors, on estimates. These estl
mates were allowed.
Aid. Jorgensen moved that the boart
of public works be instructed to adver
tise for bids for laying the water main
on Second street, between Elm and By
ron streets. This will be about mile o
six inch pipe.
Aid. Hillesheim moved to amend Il
Include Front street from Rock to Vin'
street. This will be of four inch pipe.
Other aldermen stated that waite
mains were needed just as badly il
Iother portions of the city.
The amendment prevailed o to 2, ant
the motion as amended carried.
Aid. Pond moved that the board o
public works be instructed to advertis
for bids for laying four inch main Of
Hickory street from Fourth to Fifth 81
i Carried. The board was also authorizes
to include main from Front street +
1.-THE pumping station on Worthington 81
Aid. Pond moved, as an amendmen
to his last motion, that the board advel
tise for bids for the laying Of four inc
water mains up Hickory street fror
Broad to Fifth and along Filth to Jack
son street, the latter a six inch main
! This is to afford the court house and tn
Normal school fire protection and water
Carried.