The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-04-21

Sidewalks and Builders Ordinance fassen
Street Paving Discussed License TAX BIZ
Adopted
The April meeting Of the Oity
Council was held in the Oouncil
chamber Thursday night. Mayor Rowe
presiding and Councilman Wills
Wroten, Bradley. Embrey, Rowe O'l''
Lane and chancellor present
Mr.. Willis, Of Finance, asked Tor th"
consideration Of the license tax blll
which was presented at last meeting
and which was laid over. 1t was taken
up aud passed.
lie submitted the legal opinion 81
Mr.. ST George K Fitzhugh that thr
city had no right TO sell any portion q
the city streets and that his committees
recommended the denial Of the hppH.
cation of the Merchants and Mechanics
Perpetual Building Association to put-
chase that portion Of canal street. near
French John wharf. from Main street
TO the river watch was adopted lie
also reported g. 900 Of the old gas Dohds
not yet presented to the National bAhK
for payment.
Mr.. Wroten, Of Public Property y m
mittee, recommended the taking down
of the iron fence around the court
house grounds to be replaced win
granite curbing On motion. the street
committee were instructed TO have the
work done at once and the grounds
properly graded. ,,, ,
Mr.. Cole. Of Water. presented bllI OF
st51 II for 10 fire plugs. and asked TOT
an appropriation OF 5000 for new WORK
I'm laying pipes to the SILK Mill. anu
the amounts were ordered 10 credlt OF
committee He also stated that hereait'
er a list Of delinquent water.tsx bills
would be found at the Clerk once
and that the books for same were being
prepared by the Superintendent ~ Wa
ter Works. This Is now required by
law, and will be Of great convenience Ia
examination Of titles Of property
Mr. Embrey of Streets. asked Tor ;5Uo'
which was granted. This completes
the yearly appropriation.
Mr. Lane. Of Ordinances. asked Tor
consideration Of pavement and build
ers' ordinance. which had laid over
since last meeting They were both
adopted. The ordinance on payementr
provides that afIer due notice and fan
ure on part If owner to fix sidewalks
the Street Committee is empowered 10
have the work done and charge 10 prop
erty owners. the bills to be collected as
city taxes. The builders ordinance re-
quires that in process OF building tire
contractor is required TO build and keep
open a three-feet walk-Way 81 plank for
pedestrians in front and to provide
screens in mortar mixing
Mr.. Embrey called attention to the
fact that the city had authority 70 I'M
prove the streets and the time has come
for action. He wanted the start made
favored the paving Of Commerce street
from the bridge 20 the canal as com
meucement lie wanted new grades
established and streets and sidewalks
cut down the property owners 90 con
form 10 the new grades. He said the
effect would be TO the advantage OF the
community, aud when the work Is m
ished it would give an impetus 10 fur
Their improvements.
Mr. DOLE said he WAS in favor OF the
project: that he owned more property
front on Commerce street than any one
else and il ready 20 bear his snare.
Let the people, he said see a
sample Of what We propose to do on
Commerce street aud they VIII appfeci-
ate It's benefits aud want other streets
paved
Mr. Wroien did not want the Upper
Ward to have all the benefits. "Give
Darby a show" said he. have four
blocks from tho railroad - the Exchange
Hotel and let the 'Darbyites' have their
share" There was no resolution o.
fered on the subject
On motion Of SIR Willis, the street
committee were instructed to have
Mint Spring, near the Boulevard prop
erty, enclosed
Mr. Rowe. Of Schools Committee.
presented the bill Of 800 for last quar-
ter for the city scholars at the College
aud the same was ordered paid.
Messrs. NJ. G Willis, from Upper
Ward aud j. 7. Layton. from Lower
Ward, were reelected school trustees
Mayor Rowe reported a. 30 fines for
March and stated that the police oili-
GERS had done faithful duty for the past
quarter
The Council then adjourned.