Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-01
RESERVOIR AVE. TAXES.
Meeting of Residents to Protest
Against Assessments.
Property Owners of BrambIoton object to
Paying One-hnlf the Cost of Paving
nressrs. Gale and Ferrebec. of the Local
Board, Explain Plans of Parked Streets.

About thirty persons attended
meeting at No. III Reservoir avenue,
Brambleton Ward, at o'clock last
night. The meeting was at the resi-
dence of Mr.. w. A. Walker, and was
composed of residents of Reservoir
avenue, who protested against the
proposed plan of Improvement of
streets and the assessment OF the
abutting property to pay for it.
The meeting was called to order by
Mr.. c. Lee Dudley, who explained that
the object OF it was to establish a har-
mony OF action between the residents
of the avenue and the Local Board of
Improvement. Three of the latter,
Messrs. Gale, Fcrrebee and Hancock,
were present by invitation.
Mr.. Walker stated the reasons why
the citizens protested against paying
for improvements when other streets
had been paved without any cost to
the property owners on those streets
He mentioned the case of the Virginia
Beach railway as getting $4,000 Cor
rccted to Sl,100 worth of improve
ments, while the High school improve
montS on the same street VIII have TO
be paid for by the school children.
Mr.. Morrisett said that the chief OBJ
lection is to narrowing the street
considered the street Improvement
carefully, and had decided unanimous
ly on the plan adopted. AS far as the
money would so it is the plan TO make
the road-ways narrow, % feet, and put
grass plots between them and the
sidewalks. That, he said, would make
Willoughby avenue prettier. 1t was
never intended to change the width of
Levitt avenue. That. is a railway
street, and all of it's width is needed.
MIR. Hancock said he believed that
after understanding the subject the
citizens will endorse the action of the
Local Board.
Mr.. Walker made n plea for har
mony and stated that ii would be well
if the Local Board, as the servant OF
the people, would do what the peo-
pie wished to have done.
Mr.. Gale stated that every improve
ment for Brambeton Ward had been
opposed. The sewerage question was
fought to Il finish.
Mr.. Hancock stated the advance that
had occurred in lots on Improved
streets. He said that it is merely
question OF whether the citizens VIII
do without the improvements now and
trust to getting them from the city
eighteen months hence, when the ward
goes into the city.
MIR. Dudley said there is no doubt the
people favor the improvements; the
opposition is to the manner OF paying
for them The residents don't wish to
nav one-h half the cost of the improve
ments on abutting property
MIR. Gale told the history of the Sl5o.-
600 bond issue for streets ana sewers.
There is $4,000 or $1,000 left from the
sewers which, added 10 the street fund,
gave $65. 900 to be expended on the
streets. The board decided to pave the
Two principal avenues with asphalt and
to eXpend the other money, $4,000, OF
- 10. L, to-.
year in debt privilege, as far as ii
will go. in parking six other streets
He said that will not cost the citizens
of Brambleton Ward any more than the
interest for two years. After that they
will pay the same taxes as Norfolk
pays After that there will be poor
chance TO get the City Councils to i'm
prove the streets. The citizens of
Brambleton Ward will he paying the
same taxes, S2.l0 on a 500. as Norfolk
pays. without getting new streets.
Mr.. Fercbec said it is lamentable
that IL lack of harmony should prevail
on any subject in Brambleton Ward.
He said the discrimination rs to differ
cnt streets was only seeming one.
The people Of Brambleton will not pay
the $4,000 worth of Improvement bonds.
The city will pay them He said the
ward expended S150,00O and got the best
sewer system at the lowest price. He
explained that no citizen would have TO
MY TTH TSsEssTTTCTTT lot moro thITTT ttIe
benefit to his property. 1t has been
decided to be unconstitutional to assess
property beyond its benefit. Any man
is willing to pay an assessment that
will increase the value of his property.
He pays merely for what he gets.
The members of the meeting made an
amicable agreement to meet at the
Trcasurcrs office this afternoon to con-
tinue the discussion with the commit
tee of cxpediency from the City Coun-
ellis q a 20 O'clock