Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1901-08-29
CHOSEN FREEHOLDERs SPECIAL MEET.
ING
REMAINING Washouts rhe countv,s Liahilit,

Repairing Washouts. The County's Liability.
Fifteen Of the eighteen members of the
Board of Chosen Freeholders responded last
Monday to the call for special meeting
OF the Board to consider the question of
damage to county bridges by the rain
storm of the 18th instant
Freebooter Nichol asked for committee
OF five to direct repairs to the bridge over
the mill stream at Mullica Hill, saying that
the washout stopped travel over the public
highway. The liability of the county in
such cases was requested Of Solicitor d. 0.
Watkins, who was present, and he replied
that it was the duty of the county to build
bridges and approaches thereto on public
roads of the county If the washouts were
on the private property of mill owners the
county had no responsibility in the matter.
Mr.. Tonkin, of South Harrison, said that
division of responsibility had heretofore
been assumed. The bridges over mill
races answered a double purpose-of dam
and bridge Heretofore the expense of
construction had been divided between the
mill-owner and county-the mill-owner
laying the foundation to the level of the
road, and the county putting on the top
and floor
Director Miller said a rule ought to be
adopted for the guidance of Freeholders.
Mr.. Jones said that Franklin township
was set off from Woolwich in 1920, and up
to that time man named Fisher had built
all the bridges in the township. The rule
established was for mill-owners to construct
the portion to the level of the road and the
county complete the top, and that rule had
been followed in that township ever since.
Mr.. Handle said that originally mills
were erected on private roads, and ponds
and surroundings were private property.
Gradually the country filled up, and the
private roads to mills, by use, became
public highways. He cited an instance
where Cumberland county refused to aid in
the reconstruction of the Willow Grove
dam, and the owner roped off the road.
Surveyors were put on to lay out the road
with the result that the county finally
Joined in replacing the damaged property.
Mr. TomblesOn said mill-owners in Mon
roe paid for cost of bridges over dams ex-
cept the top and floor.
After this discussion the request for
committee was sanctioned, and the Director
appointed the following
Nichol, Ledden, Hoffman, Bender, Kan
die
Mr.. Nichol asked for committee of three
on the bridge at James Jessup's farm.
Nichol, Wilson and Hoffman were APP
pointed.
Mr.. Handle reported that the only bridge
loss in his township was to stone bridge
over Mantua creek, ON the road from Glass
boro to Turnerville, where the wing walls
were washed out. He advised placing in
iron pipe, the cost of which would be about
$500. Messrs. Handle and Beckett were
appointed to make the repairs.
Mr.. Bender was authorized to put
trunk along the foot of V. Baumgarten's
property, at the front of Green Land Hill,
on the Knights Run county road.
The time of the completion of Little
Mill bridge, Franklin township, was ex-
tended to October l.
Mr.. Nichol reported that man named
Hewitt would have bill of 500 for dam
age to his horse. He understood the bill
could be compromised for $25-or less.
He explained that he reported the
matter now so there need be no surprise
when the claim is presented next month.
Adjourned.