Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-05-20
A STONE ARCH
For the Main street Bridge over Whet-
stone Brook---The Selectmen Given
Their own Discretion In the Matter.

Unless unforeseen contingencies arise
the next bridge across Milestone brook
on Main street will be a stone arch.
About 100 voters attended the special
town meeting held last Saturday morning
to consider this question. Col. Geo. w.
Hooker moderator, presided, and after
he had read the warrant Selectman Vim
ton took the floor.
Mr.. Vinton said he had entertained no
thought of repairing the present bridge or
of replacing it with a new wooden bridge,
as there was no question but that the
! practice of building wooden bridges in
! such locations was obsolete. He said he
had asked for and had received estimates
Of the cost Of an iron bridge and a stone
arch, both with permanent roadway, that
is, with no panking, but bed Of concrete,
! and to cover the full width of the present
! bridge. These estimates were from $4,000
| to $4,000 for an iron bridge, superstruc-
| ture only-no estimate of the cost of re-
! pairing the abutments having been re-
| ccived-and SD, 900 for a stone arch
! The estimate for a stone arch was made
/ 10y the Lyons granite company which owns
the West Dummerston quarry, and the es-
! innate for an iron bridge was from the
| Vermont Construction company of st.
/ Adams, There were present also repre-
/ sentatives of the Berlin Bridge company
Of Berlin, Conn, the Groton Bridge com
, pany Of Groton, \ Y, and the King
Bridge company of Cleveland, O.
DR.. II. d. Holton brought out the fact
that if an iron bridge was built the abut-
ment on the North end would have TO be
rebuilt and that the cost of rebuilding it
would be a sum worth considering.
At this point W. II. Bracket offered a
! resolution that the town vote to build a
new bridge over Milestone brook, to be
called the Main-street bridge, to be built of
-, and the resolution was adopted
DR.. Ilolton believed the most permanent
bridge would be the most economical, and
he moved that the word "stone" be in
serted in the space left blank in Mr.. Brac-
kett's resolution.
Mr.. Ninton then exhibited a diagram of
the arch proposed by the Lyons Granite
company, to set at rest the minds of those
who had conteuded previous to the meet
ing that an arch could not be built without
raising the road bed several feet
a motion to leave the question TO the
selectmen, to build OF iron or of stone in
their discretion, was made 10y Thomas
| Harmon, whereupou Dr. Hoton withdrew
! his motion to insert the word "stone" and
amended Col. lannon's motion by moving
/ that the question be left with the select
men, with the understanding that the pref
/ erence of the voters was for stone arch.
/ The voters so expressed themselves, Mr..
Harmon accepted the amendment, and
| the motion was carried.
Article ,, in regard to raising money to
! pay for the bridge, was then taken up and
Mr.. Bracket offered resolution that the
town appropriate and raise sum not to
exceed ST., 600.
! The selectmen were then Intercepted
by l.. +. Adams and each expressed him
self unqualiheily in favor Of a stone arch
A resolution in regard to issuing per
cent bonds was then introduced by Mr.
Bracket but ii was not acted upon until
several other points had been discussed.
II. +. Taylor asked if the resolution
limited the expenditure to ST, 900, or if
there was any certainty that an arch could
be built for that amount. +. e.. Rogers.
superintendent of the granite quarry, said
the estimate was made on indefinite meas
urements and that the cost might be more
or less, according to circumstances if the
bridge be narrowed six feet on each side
and overhangug iron sidewalks be built,
the cost would be less, and if the founda-
tion was much below the surface of the
water, from which the measurements were
made, the cost would be greater.
Gen, j. J. Estey said if there was any
question about coming within the estimate
he would be in favor of making the limit
$4,000, and he made motion to that eff
feet.
David Perry thought there was no need
of extending the limit, as competition would
certainly bring the cost within SIS, 900
/ appropriation.
Mr.. Rogers said that the estimate of the
granite company did not include the cost
of making arrangements for travel while
the arch was being built, but DR.. Holton
thought the question of so little extra cost
would make no material difference with
the estimates of competing companies.
Gen. Estey's motion to make the limit
$4,000 was lost by rising vote of AZ to
| 26, and Mr.. Brackets resolution was car
ried unanimously.
L. d. Taylor introduced a resolution in
structing the board of civil authority to
abate the poll taxes of those of this town
who have enlisted for service in the present
war with Spain, but Col. Hooker said that
although the resolution was very patriotic,
it was entirely out of order.
The meeting then adjourned.