The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-02-07
Shall We Have Better Road. ,

1t is now getting time for the taxpayers
of Mount Holly to make up their minds
whether or not they want some of our
streets put in better condition, and an an
swer to this question should be given at
the next annual town meeting, which will
be held in the Opera House on Tuesday,
March IA. The question is bound to come
before the public sooner or later and it
might as well be considered at this time.
Vitrifed brick or macadam seem to be
the most desirable materials for the pur-
pose, and their cost for the improvement
of Main, Garden, Mill and Washington
streets will probably be made known at
this meeting when a special election
might be ordered so that our property
owners could have an opportunity to ex-
press their sentiments on the propriety of
having the town bonded for this purpose,
so that the work could become an accom-
plished fact at an early date.
There is no question but that these
streets need improving, and to satisfac-
torily accomplish the result, the taxpay
ers should be given every opportunity to
either carry the measure through or vote
| it down. At present these streets are a
disgrace, and their condition has not only
prevented professional men and merchants
from locating here, but visitors on bicy-
cles-and this class are very numerous
speak of Mount Holly in the most I'M
complimentary terms, and it is seldom
that club runs are organized to come here.
With these thoroughfares put in first-class
condition there would be great induce
ment for the increase of business Mer-
chants would feel it's effect and real estate
would enhance in value. Moorestown has
good roads secured on a bonded indebted
ness of $40, 900, and why cannot Mount Hol-
ly have the same for half that sum? The
principal streets of Pemberton are in fine
condition, and the county seat ought to
have as good roads as some of the small
villages.
Now as to the cost. 1t will probably
require some $50, 900 to do the work. This
money could be raised by selling bonds
bearing per cent. interest. BY paying
off one bond each year, together with the
interest, it would require $1,000 for the
first year, which sum would grow les.
each succeeding year.
Can we do this without increasing ou
taxes2 Listen: Last year there was APP
propriated SO, 500 for roads. This paiC
for the work on Water street and left 81,
900 for general repairs. With the Waite
street job thing of the past, an appro
priation of 81, 500 this year would be suffic
lent to pay the bond and interest and leav
800 for the improvement of other roads
With this s., 900 decrease in the appropria
ton of last year. isn't it natural to sup
pose that the tendency would be toward
L corresponding decrease in the tax rat
also, and thus give US the finest of street
at the same time? Expenditures in TIL
{ way would give us something to shoN
for our money, and to which we coul
point with pride; whereas the $500 (
&c $1,000 which has been expended annual
= for many years, has left US nothing bl
. poor roads, which have always been
bone of contention.
Those interested in the matter shou
u attend the town meeting and help push
i' along, not hastily but judiciously.