Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-07-14
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.
VOTES A INV BRIDGE FOR SOUTH
FAIRS.

There was light attendance at the
special town meeting held last Tuesday
10 see what action the town would take
regarding the covered bridge near South
Paris. Town Clerk W. j. Wheeler called
the meeting 20 order, aud Hon. James ;.
Wright was chosen moderator.
Capt. II Y. Bolster said in part that
an examination of the covered bridge
had convinced him OF bad condition in
some parts OF the chords. The strength
of the bridge is the strength OF its weak
est part. The old bridge had done serv-
ice for twenty-six years or more, and he
thought il would be cheaper 10 build
new than repair.
IL. q. Brown, Esq, said that with
Others he made an examination Of the
bridge and found il in very bad condi-
ton. Ii had settled considerably IN two
places. Mr.. Cook ran an iron into one
Of the chords quite Il way; he also found
that the chords were drawing apart. and
Mr.. Brown thought the interest on the
cost of new bridge would be less than
the cost Of repairs that would make this
one safe for short time.
Ethan Willis, WHO'S practical bridge
builder, said he had examined il and
found the same condition that Mr..
Brown and Mr.. Bolster had expressed,
and he had pronounced the bridge IN
safe.
Prof. Geo. l.. Nose, who Is bridge
engineer, and who first called the towns
attention to the condition of this bridge,
said that the bridge WAS so old and rot
ten that il was not worth repairing. He
pronounce il miserable, rotten, worn
OUT trap" Prof. Vose said he had cor
responded with three practical bridge
engineers asking them what bridge,
iron or wood, for this place ought To
cost. one was the bridge master OF the
Boston and Maine Railroad, another the
bridge Inspector OF the Maine Central
Railroad. and another Mr.. Edward
shaw, Boston bridge engineer OF ex-
perience. The result Of the correspond
euce WAS that 50 400 should buy first
class iron fridge. The span j. 100 feet
and width Is feet That 81, 900 should
buy good bridge Of hard pine and
81 800 to SLIGO spruce bridge OF the
lattice pattern.
III. +. Hammond inquired II these
prices were for railroad or highway
bridges, TO which Mr.. Vose replied that
he had expressly asked for prices for
highway bridges.
Mr.. Ethan Willis thought perhaps
81 200 would build wooden bridge that
would answer the requirements, but said
he had made no figures.
Mr.F.J. Wood asked for the cost ol
the new bridge at SHOWS Falls go feel
span, and Mr.. Brown thought IL woulc
/ NOT be much over 500.
:. ID. Hutchinson moved that Ehe towI
/ instruct it's selectmen 10 build ne"
/ bridge, and the motion was carried unan
imously.
Rev. III. A. Roberts made the follow
ing motion which was carried:
Voted, That the selectmen be instructed 4
procure estimates, with plans and specifications
Tor both wool and iron bridges, 70 be reporte'
at an adjourned meeting.
The following motion was carried
after some discussion:
Voted, That the selectmen be instructed TO re
move the old bridge at once and proceed 10 III
build the abutments for new bridge.
Voted, That the treasurer be instructed :
make a temporary loan OF slo,o 70 meet curren
expenses
Voted That the meeting stand adjourned unit
Saturday, July 18th, at O'Clock p. NJ