The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-23
CAPE A LITTLE FROSTY.
80 90 -
Of Over anxious To Take Willard
Back Again.
MASS MEETING TO DISCUSS AN
NEXATION LAST NIGHT.

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set OFF, But Cape Cannot See Where
They Gain Anything.
There is an increasing interest in the
matter of the annexation of Willard to
Cape Elizabeth, and last evening deie'
CATION made up of d. A. Msaher, j. O..
GRAHAM, Geo. Gould, freeman Willard,
Victor Shannon and William Cobb, went
to the Pond Cove school house where
there was a gathering of about one hum
bred legal voters of Cape Elizabeth among
whom were Edward +. Hill, W. U.
Robinson, Michael j. Peables, Charles
Peables, Frank Peables. Albert b..
Hannaford, John Dearborn, George H..
Hannaford, Pomery Jordan, John =.
Peables John Brown, Scott d. Jordan,
Augustus Hannaford, Louis Hannaford,
Henry Rand. Edgar W. Jordan and W.
]. Maxwell
Edward E.. Hill presided and said they
had met to consider the adyisability OF
annexing Willard to Cape Elizabeth, and
that prominent citizens of Willard being
present to explain the situation he would
call upon Mr.. d. A. Meaher.
Mr. Meaher spoke of the deep. interest in
the matter felt by the people Of Willard
and thought it was Of equal interest to
those of Cape Elizabeth, and that both
towns should be united. 1t is within the
knowledge of the citizens of each that
they have always voted as a unit on
important matters, and he felt that the
needs of willard were no more than those
of the inhabitants of Cape Elizabeth.
That Willard would really be of great SER
vice to them in the payment of taxes,
bringing large and valuable taxable
property, while the needs of the people OF
Willard are few and inexpensive. We feel
that by the union we would have repre-
sentative in the Legislature, and save the
present town of Cape Elizabeth large
expense in the building of school house.
1t is we'll known to the citizens that the
town of Cape Elizabeth has now to pay
extra for the tuition of its children in
South Portland. This expense would be
obviated in a great measure. We have
some s24O, 600 taxable property in Willard,
and some years the taxes on the property
amount to something like $4,000, going to
defray the expenses of 9th .r portions OF
the town, leaving Willard, without much
benefit from it, not more perhaps than
Sl7O0 year. This would indicate that it
would be great advantage to Willard
and the Cape, to have Willard separate
from South Portland and annexed.
A good portion of Willard is now used
for summer residences and owned by old
residents of the town. 1t is creditable
that there are but few in this section who
Fay only poll tax. We have not SO many
roads as at,the Cape, and the expense of
repairs are very small. We are in need of
no sewers and no electric lights, in fact
the people of this section are quite well
contented with the few luxuries they al
ready enjoy. The expenses for sidewalks
are very small, and the sidewalks already
built have been built at the half expense
of the AUDITORS.
There is but one small bridge in this
section to be cared for and there is very
large bridge over the Spurwink river
which it would probably cost $1,000 to put
in suitable repairs at this time We have
no greater water tax than the same which
was assumed by the inhabitants of Cape
Elizabeth at the time of division, as the
contract with the water companies was
prior to that time. We have no watering
troughs and no expense on this score
would be increased on our account, The
expense of schools might be greater for
the Cape, but that would be more than
oounterbalanced by the expense which
would be shared by Willard in keeping
the highways of Cape Elizabeth in suit
able repairs. The proposed line of separa-
ton between South Portland and Willard
is almost direct line from Fort Preble
mp by the water tank and over to the
Cape Elizabeth line.
Mr. Meaher in conclusion presented
maps and invited inspection of the pro-
posed line which if adopted, would result
in advantages and oonveniences to both
towns.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Meaher's re-
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