The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-02-22
THE BOROUGH
COUNCIL MEETS
Winding Up the Business of the
Fiscal Year.
MANY BILLS OF EXTRAS |!
The Supervising Engineer of the Public
Water Works Threatens to Bring
Suit to Recover His Claim.
MANY BILLS OF EXTRAS


its last regular meeting for this month,
and it will probably be the last of the
fiscal year, except the usual formal meet
ing held to adjourn sine die just before
the new Council organizes. The members
present were Messrs. Mcclure, Straughn,
Gaffigan, Lamb, Gallagher, Dougherty,
Hand, Stout, McElhenny, Gable, Kerns,
Jmes and Meluskey.
The street committee reported that it
had received a message that Mr.. Ash the
manager Of the Schuylkill Traction Com
pany, was out of town when the Councils
communications were received at the
office. President Mcclure said it seemed
that Mr.. Ash is always out of town when
Council has important matters to bring
to his attention.
The law committee was instructed to
proceed to collect from the Schuylkill
Traction Company all claims for damages
made upon the borough by reason of the
company not keeping the streets in proper
condition.
The law committee recommended that
$3.50 be paid Mrs. John Manley in settle
ment of her claim for damages sustained
by falling upon pavement, and the
re :ommendation was adopted.
Mr.. Gallagher, of the water committee
said there was nothing of Importance to
report in connection with the public water
works. He said the first i'm portant step
for the new organization would be the
drs fling and adoption of an ordinance
creating the Office of superintendent of
the works and the election of that
official This, he thought, should receive
early attention. The present ordinance
committee had been instructed to prepare
such an ordinance, but action was de-
ferred owing TO the plant not being
complete.
A lengthy communication from James
Ryon, Esq, of Poltsville, was read. 1t
demanded payment of a claim of A. J.
Womelsdorf for extra services, amount
ing to 1909. The claim is based upon
alleged special services rendered by Mr.
Womelsdorf and his corps of engineers in
making surveys, maps, etc., in connection
with the litigation of the borough in
various suits to restrain the erection OF
the waier works, extending through a
period of fifteen months. 1t is claimed
that it was through his efforts especial
that the borough was successful in the
suits.
The secretary was instructed to write
Mr., Womelsdorf and demand an itemized
bill of his claim.
The Chief Burgess was instructed to
enforce the resolution of Council provid
ing that in default of the Schuylkill Trac-
tion Company keeping the streets in
proper repair steps be taken to enjoin the
company in the operation of its line in
town.
The following communication was read.
1t is interesting from many standpoints
and is there ore given in full:
/ 70 the Town Council of the Borough OF
Shenandoah
GENTLE LEMEN II have been retained by "a
/ com mlJtee of citizens residing on Goa,
street, in your borough, and representing
| the property holders and taxpayers Ol
| that street, to take the necessary legal
steps to secure for them a better condition
OF chat street during the winter season.
| A personal Inspection made of that
/ street on Friday last discloses the exist
, ence of blockade of snow on that street,
on both sides OF the track of the railway
of the Schuylkill Traction Company, tie
snow thus piled up on both sides be
| lug snow other than that which fell there
/ by the natural order OF things. Ihayr no
hesitation in saying that 1t is my opinion
that every resident of thaJistreet, who has
been in any way damaged or injured
in his business, or in the use
of the premises by reason of said
snow piles, would have a good cause
OF action against the borough of Shenan-
is
not the purpose of this committee TO bring
a multiplicity of suits, nor to even insti
tute legal proceedings for the pIeseAJ
difficulty il we can be assured that their
rights in this respect will be taken care of
in he future.
have no hesitation either in expressing
/ the opinion that every member of Council
anu the Supervisor is liable to indictment
| for maintaining a nuisance and, as such,
answerable in the criminal court
Without drawing this letter out to an
unusual length, l beg to suggest that it
will not do to answer that this condition
of things is owing TO the conduct of the
Schuylkill Traction Company. 1t is not
| To be expected that every individual re
| siding on that street is, as such, to enter
! into legal con est with this corporation
/ They nave received their franchise and
( rights 50 far as the use OF your streets IL
concerned from your body,a eindlyid
ual property holders, therefore, Is justitied
| in looking TO you TO see that This corpora
| ton does not exceed its rights, or violate
/ the grants and permissiOns TO il extended.
I We respectfully request, therefore, and
shall expect the Town Council to take
I immediate steps to provide against
repetition of the difficulties, an
( noyance and inconvenience which from
/ time to time exists on Coal street IN the
way of making that street absolutely
dangerous for the use of teams ana at
some points entirely preventing property
owners from approaching their property
with teams aud vehicles.
GEORGE j. WADLlNGEk.
Mr. Lamb moved that a copy OF the