The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-06-04
The Bridge Meeting.


The special town meeting held on
Thursday afternoon, especially to act
upon the bridge question, attracted an
attendance rather smaller than the meet
ings previously held, this year.
The votera were little late IN getting
together and it was fifteen binutes after
one o'clock before business was entered
upon. l.. L. Walton, Esq, was chosen
moderator.
Hon. c. A. Marston, chairman of the
bridge committee of eleven, made re-
port by which it appeared that the COM
mittee had held many meetings and had
done its work with great care and thor
0ughness. subcommittee were APP
pointed for various portions of the work.
One to see about the title of the town to
the street on each side of the north
channel; one to examine bridge struc-
lures in other places, another to adver-
tise for contracts, etc. The committee
secured the assistance of the state rail-
road commissioners In determining the
kind of bridge most desirable, and got
the benefit of their skill and judgment.
Bids were received from three different
bridge construction companies as stated
in TIE REPORTER, heretofore. Two of
these plans were advised by the railroad
commissioners as desirable; one an OVER
head truss bridge, made by the New
Hampshire Construction Company, the
other a combination deck bridge by the
American Bridge Company Of New
York. The propositions were for AS
foot bridges, the price of the former
being $l4, 700; that of the latter, SIS, $50.
The proposition of the American
Bridge Co. WAS by the committee con-
cluded to be the most desirable and the
report advised the acceptance of the
bridge Of that company at $15,750. Be-
SIDE it being the most desirable and
strongest structure, the additional ad-
vantage of no obstruction to travel was
guaranteed by the American Bridge
Company, thus saving to the town the
necessity of establishing temporary
ferry above the dam for time. The
report of the committee was accepted
and the committee discharged.
At this stage Mr. B. F. Baker stated
that Mr.. Allen, a representative of the
New Hampshire Construction Company,
was present and would like to make an
explanation. There being no objection,
Mr.. Allen was allowed to speak. He
stated that through misunderstanding
his company had not submitted bids for
q deck bridge. He was informed by
what he deemed good authority that
deck bridge would not be approved by
the railroad commissioners, and therefore
that the committee would not entertain
bids for that style bridge; and for that
reason his company had not made a bid,
but he stood ready to build bridge in
accordance with the specifications of the
American Bridge Company for $1,000
less than that company's bid.
Hon. G. A. Marston, chairman of the
committee, denounced this method of
doing business, stating that the advef
tisement called for bids on the two style
of bridge and 1t was alone the fault of
Mr.. Aliens company that it had not pat
! Ia the bid, and it was unfair, now that
he knew the figures of other bidders, to
come here and submit another bid after
the time for receiving bids had termi
mated.
There was much discussion in regard
to this matter but 1t resulted In the Sc
lectmen being authorized to raise by
loan the sum of s15, $50, at rate OF in
terest not to exceed per cent, payable
in annual payments of 81 900, beginning
next year.
r. /. Mitchell, NJ. J. Allen and A. X
! Butler were, on motion Of Mr.. Marston,
made committee to act in conjunction
with the selectmen to make contract
with the American Bridge Company for
the erection of bridge across north
channel and to superintend the construc-
tion OF said bridge.
The committee advised raising the
bridge two feet above the present foun.
dation and in the discussion 1t was
brought out that Steward Bros. would
claim damage of l,775, and Robinson
Brothers a damage of $l,250. 1t was
further stated that the, First National
Bank would claim ownership to a part
of the three rods strip claimed as the
town on the north side Of The channel.
E. N. Merrill, Esq, stated that the
town has a clear title to the three rods
strip, explaining that this title was by
deed from the Skowhegan Toll Bridge
Company, Daniel Steward and Morrison
& Mcclellan.
Article 4 of the warrant was taken up,
a vote passed relative to the apportion-
ment of a portion of the expense Of the