Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-24
.lNExPEDIENT.
Such Is the Reply to State Street
Petitioners.
Mayor Titcomb Calls Attention t.
Many Difficulties.

Mayor Titcomb, yesterday, replied to
the petitioners in regard to the State
| street improvements. The mayor and
the committee on highways find, after
fully considering the proposition, that
the added expense and the difficulties
attending the carrying out of the ideas
advanced by the petitions will not war
rant the city in acting in accord with
them. The letter is as follows and will
explain itself:
Hon. Charles E. Nash, and Others Peti
| TONERS, Augusta, Me-:
Gentlemen:
Your petition addressed to the mayor
and committee on highways in regard
| to change in the plan of work as I'M
dertaken by the city on State street,
| extending from Court street to Bridge
street, has been carefully considered
by them and the premises have once
more been inspected in company with
| those interested and the different ele-
| ments of the problem have again been
considered. The work as now being
| carried on is by order of the city gov
eminent and in accordance with the
| plan adopted by both the board of al.
/ dermen and common council. Your pc
| tition contemplates that the mayor and
committee on highways should recon-
| mend to the city government change
in this plan so adopted, and the sub
stitution therefor. of another and more
extensive plan.
In the view of the petitioners State
street should be made a true grade
from point on State street opposite
the driveway to the Jail extending
l a.
street. thus continuing the level street
as laid out and built from Western
avenue northerly on the same grade.
The plan adopted by the city council
calls for lowering the grade of State
street in front Of the court house and
the Lithgow library so that the street
as finished should be about one foot
lower than the present grade. The
plan presented by the petitioners would
call for cutting down the grade at the
same points something over three feet
If the plan of the petitioners We're
adopted it would call for relaying at 4
lower level all the gas and water pipes
now laid in the street, and new gas and
water services for every abuttor. 1t
would expose the foundation walls of
the Bennett building and ofHotel john
son for a distance of two feet below the
underpinning, and would undermine
the stone walls forming the west
boundary of the land of Mrs. Davis
and land of DR.. Brickett. and the side
walks would all have to be rebuilt, not
only on State street but also on all in
tersecting streets.
1t would follow as a consequence that
provision would have to be made for
etc Of stores
Concert Hall block, the different en-
frances of the Bennett Block stores
and of the Johnson house, as we'll as
the houses next north of the library
These steps necessarily would project
into the sidewalk and be an obstruction
to all travellers; a new driveway would
have to be constructed for Mrs. DAVIS
and for DR.. Brickett as well as new en-
frances. The increased expense would
be at least $4,000 not taking account OF
the legal liability of the city for dam
ages to the owners of the abuttins
buildings, the amount of which OF
course is uncertain
While it would increase the beauty OF
State street as an avenue to nave IL a
true grade from Bridge street souther-
" the great expense to the city and in
convenience " iDullSAo, to6SIhSi
the liability for damages to possible
large amount, compel the mayor ana
committee on highways to find 1t mex
pedient for them to recommend to the
city government any change in the
plan as adopted.
This conclusion is reached after a
| careful examination and consultation
and with the desire to improve the
north end of State street to the great
est extent possible with the funds
which can be devoted to the purpose.
After the street shall be graded IN
accordance with this plan and re-sur-
faced with crushed rock it is believed
that it will meet the approval of our
| citizens.
And may 1 personally add that IL the
| greater expense of the plan which you
present were incurred it would compel
| the postponement of much other WORK
,,non the highways which is necessary
| in some cases necessary to AVOID the
risl, of damages, or it would be neces-
sary to disregard the appropriations as
| made by the city government 1or tne
! different departments and increase the
| citys Indebtedness.
I hope that upon further consideration
of the difficulties of the problem TINS
decision NAV commend itself to you.
am very respectfully,
| LENDALL TITCOMB.
| Mayor.