Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-02-12
The Problem to Be Discussed In a
Joint Session of the Councils
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL
Petition for Vacation of Plat Granted.
Robert Pittock's Double Assess
ment Claim Allowed

| WnalcOm COUNCIL 10 CONFER with tne
Fairhaven council upon the subject of
the consolidation of the two cities was
not present at the regular session of the
coucil yesterday as had been antici-
pated. After the adjournment of the
session, however, and before the coun-
cilmen had left the city hall, Edmund
Cosgrove, chairman of the committee,
accompanied by Councilman Taylor,
not member of the committee, ar
rived, and Mayor Mckenzie promptly
reconvened the council.
Mr.. Cosgrove stated the object for
which the committee had been APP
pointed, and said that he had come ex-
pecting to find Messrs. Cooper and
Roeder, the other members of the COM
mittee, present In their absence he
asked that the nlatrer be deferred.
Councilman Taylor was called upon.
! He said that he was not q member Of
the committee, but was one of the
prime movers in the matter. He
wanted to learn the feeling of the Fair
haven councilmen upon the subject.
| He was in favor of consolidation, and
thought large majority Of the citizens
of New Whatcom shared his senti-
ments.
He thought it would give us more
prestige, giving us the advantage of a
larger city and that it ought to be con-
summated before the Worlds fair. His
city had just bought the Bellingham
Bay Improvement Company's water
works, and proposed to extend the sys-
tenn, which would be to the advantage
of Fairhaven.
| He did not care under what name
the cities were merged. He wanted to
| hear from members of the council on
the subject and upon what terms they
would propose consolidation.
No councilman having any remarks
to offer, the mayor called upon II. Y.
Thompson.
II suppose" said Mr.. Thompson,
"that it has been perfectly apparent to
every resident of the Bay for the past
three years that the time would come
when consolidation would be a reality.
/ suppose it has also been apparent that
| the longer 1t is delayed the more
complicated the problem Of consolida-
tion would become. 1t would have
| been easier to have consolidated three
years ago than it would be to CONSOLE
date now. Complications have already
arisen and more will arise. The pur-
chase of the water works complicated
| the matter; both cities have been
bonded separately and this has made
complications. The whole question is
attended with difficulties. | do not
wish to express any opinion upon the
advisability of consolidating the two
cities. Sooner or latter there will be
only one city on Bellingham bay, and
] it is time that we commenced TO think
seriously about the question. The right
thing TO do in this matter is, whatever
opinion may be entertained, to treat the
question courteously, for it is a serious
problem, and is bound to demand so
luton at some time.n
Knight suggested that the mayor,
city attorney and council of New What
com meet in joint session with the
Fairhaven council at the next regular
meeting, and a motion to that effect
prevailed.
Mayor Mckenzie and Councilmen
Hedge, Griffin, Oeser, Knight and
Scott were present in the regular meet
ing of the council yesterday.
The minutes of the preceding meet
ing were approved.
ii. Y. Thompson appeared before the
council with petition, praying for the
vacation of the amended plat of the
Happy Valley addition, owned by the
Fairhaven Land company, which was
granted.
City Engineer Helms reported that
about thirty Of the sewer connections
were not made as indicated by the plat.
The matter was referred to the sewer
committee.
The judiciary committee and city
attorney, in the matter of the double
assessment Of the Robert Pittock
property, recommended that rebate
of SlOl be paid to Mr.. Pittock. The re-
port was adopted.
Warrants for the payment of the fol-
lowing bills were ordered upon recon-.
meDda ti0n of the exaciIfiva copnu,ittao.