Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-25


Each county must be represented at
such meeting by a majority of its COM
missioners. A majority of those pres
ent may render decision. The duty
of carrying that judgment into effect
shall be performed by such members of
the boards of commissioners interested
as the commissioners shall designate.
When each county is not so represented
those present may adjourn the meeting
to another time. Appeals may be taken
as provided in Section 5. If, said COM
missioners, or, on appeal, the commit
tee of the Executive Council decide that
public necessity requires the building
of said bridge, they shall so certify to
the commissioners of the counties, and
the municipal officers of the several
towns in which said bridge is to be To-
Gated. The commissioners of said coun-
ties shall thereupon estimate the cost
of building said bridge, and certify the
same, in writing, to the municipal Of
ficers of said towns. When said towns
shall raise any pay to the treasurers of
their respective counties, one-third of
the amount so certified by the commits
sioners, the amount to be paid by each
town being apportioned as provided in
Section 3, the commissioners shall, at
the expense of said counties, build such
bridge Upon the completion of said
bridge said commissioners shall certi-
fy to the same, in writing, to the NUM-
cipal officers of said towns. When said
towns shall raise any pay to the
treasurers of their respective counties,
one-third of the amount SO certified by
the commissioners, the amount to be
paid by each town being apportioned as
provided in Section 8, the commission
ers SHALL at the expense of said coun-
ties, build such bridge. Upon the COM
pletion of said bridge said commission
ers shall certify to the Governor and
Council the cost of said bridge, and the
Governor and Council shall thereupon
authorize and direct the State treas
urer to pay to such counties third
of the cost as certified in the manner
hereinafter provided. If the total cost
shall exceed the estimate certified to
the town or towns, said town or towns
shall pay to their respective county
treasurers the difference between the
amount originally paid by them and
one-thrd of such excess. If the cost is
less than the original estimate the
county commissioners shall repay to
said town or towns one third of such
excess.
Section Z. When a petition is pre-
county for the purchase of any private
or toll bridge, for the purpose of MAX
ing the same a highway bridge, the
commissioners shall proceed on said
petition as provided in Section 5, if said
bridge is located wholly within the
county, and as provided n Section 6, if
said bridge is located in two or more
counties. If the prayer of said petit
toners is granted, said commissioners
and the owners of said bridge shall
agree, if possible, upon the amount to
be paid for such bridge and it's appur-
tenances. If they are unable to agree,
the amount to be paid shall be deter
mined by a committee of three disin-
terested men, to be appointed by the
chief justice of the supreme judicial
court the award of a majority of
whom shall be reported to the supreme
judicial court in the county where the
original petition was filed, in term
justice may confirm the same or re-
commit it for the correction of errors,
if justice so requires. The award Of said
committee shall be conclusive as to
amount. The commissioners of said
county or counties in case of failure to
agree with the owners of such toll
bridge upon the amount to be paid for
such bridge and appurtenances may at
any time file petition in the clerk S
office of the supreme judicial court for
the county or counties interested, in
term time or vacation. When the
amount so to be paid has been deter
mined as aforesaid the county~sQmmis-
sioners aforesaid shall certify iii writ
ing such amount to the municipal Of
ficers of the town or towns where such
bridge is located. When said town or
towns shall have raised and paid to-
said commissioners one-third of the
amount so certified the commissioners
shall forthwith cause to be paid to the
owner or owners of said bridge the
amount determined as aforesaid When
said payment shall have been made the
commissioners shall certify to the Gov
ernor and Council the cost of said
bridge and the Governor and Council
shall thereupon authorize and direct
the State treasurer to pay to such
county one-third of the amount certi-
fed, in the manner hereinafter pro-
vided.
Until the owners of such toll-bridge
shall have received the amount agreed
upon, or determined as aforesaid, their
right to take tolls, as existing at the
beginning of the proceedings specified
in this act, shall be continued, subject.
however, to legislative regulation. The
provisions of this act shall not be con-
strued as affecting in any way the right
of owners of toll-bridges to surrender
such bridges TO any county as now pro-
vided by law.
From the value of such toll bridge as
agreed upon or determined as afore-
said there shall be deducted any aid
received from this State or the United
States in the construction or repairing
Of said bridge.
From and after the payment of said
value to the owners of such bridge.
such bridge and it's approaches shall be
a highway and shall be thereafter
maintained as provided in this act for