The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-05-03


proposed building. and remarked
that such preparation would be
going beyond the generally accepted
idea of the utility of the hose house.
Aid. Lamfrom said he didn't OBJ
ject to the building and equipment
at a reasonable cost of hose house,
but wouldn't lend his support to
plan to provide two fire departments.
The amount of $1,000 struck him as
an excessive price to- pay for the
structure.
Aid. Washburn took up the de-
fence, and told the council that by
the erection of building such as
was contemplated, at cost of APP
proximately $1,000, the value of the
lot, now worth about, $500, would be
boosted to over $4,000.
He denied that there was any in
tent further than to fit out the build
ing asked for, with hose, and to use
1t in emergency cases as a jail His
argument was met by the statement
that the council was not warranted
in engaging in speculations.
Aid. Towsend Joined the opposi-
ton, saying that he could not see
that the coucil would be justified in
spending any considerable amout for
fire protection in west Owosso with
the uptown department in the shape
that it is. He said the factories in
the eastern part of the city were
more difficult of access to the fire de-
partment than those in west town.
Mr.. Townsend believes that if any
substantial sum is to be spent for
additional fire protection it should
be used in erecting an engine house
centrally located, as A NJ Bentley
suggests.
Alderman Washhurn argued furth-
err that long runs in the western part
Of the city are exceedingly wearing
on the department horses, and AL
derman Lynch stated that West
Owosso citizens were demanding fire
protection across the river, and were
finding out who the aldermen are
who are opposing the plan. eff we
don't get the hose house" he said,
"some aldermen will hear from it
later"
Aid Rigley said that the consti-
tituents of aldermen other than those
the fifth ward, were also influential
factors, inthe matter. The resolution
to advertise for bids for the building
was voted for by Aldermen Brown,
Washburn, Lynch, and Wren with
Aldermen Townsend, Rigley, Co
nant, Lamfrom, and Appleton voting
nay. Aid Rundell was absent.
The council gave Mayor Lamb
power to act in Strengthening out
the mixup relating to Ward street in
the northwestern part of the city
where as Dennis Corcoran expresses
it the street has been moved over
the width of itself, thus causing con-
fusion in the titles of property in
that district, and making no end of
trouble for residents of the street
The street was not staked out in &C
cordance with the plat, original, and
the puzzle of private ownership is
too difficult for residents to decide
without assistance. Indeed the coun-
Gil has been at a loss to solve the
problem, and Mayor Lambs action
in the matter will be observed with
interest.
Marshal Hodges was instructed to
notify Frank Weidman that steps
must taken Immediately to make
safe the sidewalk around his excava-
ton at the corner of Cedar and Main
streets, which is being constantly un-
dermined by the caving of the earth.
After the meeting the marshal and
Alderman Washburn put up Ian
tern there to prevent some pedes-
trian from walking off the sidewalk
into the big hole. Mr.. Weidman was
notified last fall to provide suitable
protection and promised to do so.
Now the council is determined to see
that he fufills his promise without
delay.
A petition was received from fifth
warders asking thatCenter street be
made passable for teams with mod
crate loads. A number of represen-
tative citizens also asked that N. J.
Johnson Ibe appointed caretaker of
Fayette square numerous sprink-
ling petitions were received. Some
them were not signed by the requir-
ed two-thirds of all property owners
residing on streets desired sprinkled,
and Aid Lamfrom called attention to
the fact remarking that the rule
must be observed.
The big bunch of sidwalks that
were condemned indicates that the
campaign in cement construction
will be unusually lively this year.