Morning journal and courier., 1893-10-24
NEW BRIDGES REQUIRED.

Mayor Sargentss Communication TO
the Board OF AldermeR-The CITY
Taxes May be Increased Next Year |
to Pay for Them-The Fair haven
and Westville Road to Use Elec-
triciIy-Other Business Considered.
The question of completing and paying
for certain bridges within the next coming
fiscal year, and for none of which is there
any means provided by taxation or appro
priation, was the especial business CON-
sidered at the meeting of the board of
aldermen last evening. Fifteen of the
twenty-four members were present.
The question was precipitated upon the
meeting by communication from Mayor
Sargent calling attention to the fact 1t was
ne oessary to Immediately construct four
new bridges, one over West river from the
westerly end of Oak street to the town of
Orange, at . cost of $12, 500 another on
Chapel street, over the tracks of the freight
branch of the New York, New Haven and
Hartford railroad, ordered by the Connec-
ticut railroad commissioners on June II,
1885, and by the superior court in Novem-
Der, 1887. The cost of this bridge to the
city will be about SAC, 900.
The third bridge is the proposed new
bridge over Mill river at an estimated cost
| of about $28, 900, and the fourth Ia new
| one over the Quinnipiac river at Grand
| avenue, the cost of which to the city will
be about S3e 900. The total cost of the
four bridges will be $119, 500, which does
not include possible land damages.
The communication further states that
the construction of these bridges has been
postponed from year to year on account of
the lack of funds. In the absence of a
session of the general assembly, the mayor
says, the city cannot be authorized to Dor
| row any money on bonds nor to borrow on
| its promissory notes, or create debt, ex-
| cept in anticipation of the collection of
| taxes laid before the money Is borrowed.
In order to pay for these bridges it will be
necessary to increase tho rate of city taxa
ton for that purpose, the tax to be payable
November /, 1894. After this is done the
| money can be borrowed in anticipation of
the collection of the tax.
The mayor recommended that so much
of tho communication as related to the
building of the proposed bridges be re-
fsrred to the joint standing committee on
bridges, and that the question of paying
finance. The entire question was, on mo-
ton of Alderman Callahan, referred to the
| committee on railroads and bridges.
The corporation counsel was instructed
to oppose any attempt to deprive the city
and the free public library of this city of
Just rights in the division of the remainder
of the estate of the late Philip Marett,
which amounts to over $40, 900, ons-ninth
| of which will be paid over to the city of
New Haven for the free public library If
the city's claim Is pushed to a successful
issue. The case is now pending in the
probate court in this city.
The petition of the Fair Haven and
Westville Horse Railroad company asking
for the approval of its plans for the use OF
electricity WAS referred to the COMMITTEES
on railroads and bridges.
The estimates from the various depart
ments of the city government for the
ensuing fiscal year were referred to thu
board of finance.
A remonstranos signed by 500 residents
of the Seventh ward against the establish
ment of a storage tank in that ward by
the Standard OIL company w.s referred t,
the aldermanic portion of the committee OF
| licenses.
| The report of the board of fire com
missioners to the effect that the replacing
of the bell tower on COTE street would
cost 81, 500 and that the board had no suct
sum in its unexpended balances, was re
ceived and ordered on file.
John Cummings, on motion of Alderman
Beecher, was appointed special constable
| by unanimous consent.