Smyrna times., 1907-08-14
COUNCIL TALKIR& PLAN FOR
MATCHMAKING ALL STREETS
WOULD BORROW MONEY AND MECADEMIZE
ALL OF MAIN AND COMMERCE STREETS
ana PlOw Up and Regrade Other Streets But
Stockly Calls Halt and Advises Council
to Go Slow and Not TO Borrow

SlOCkly Calls Halt and Advises COuncil
to Go Slow and Not TO Borrow
worked up by the irresistible leaven
Oh public opinion Smyrna Town Coun-
Gil backed up by the Street Committee,
gave over the meeting Friday evening
TO one of the most enthusiastic discus
slous on public highway improvement
that has been witnessed in many years
Every member of the Council was pre-
sent except Joseph H. Wright. The
discussion followed the regular report
OF Chairman Robinson who made a
concise statement of what had been
done toward macadamizing Commerce
street from Delaware to market and
what 1t was intended to dofrom Market
on to the Four Corners. Mr.. Robin
son as chairman of the committee rec
comended that some method be
adopted for iraising funds to macada-
mlze the whole of Commerce street
from the P. W. B. Depot to town limits
on the way to Smyrna Landing. The
people he'said were demanding better
streets and that he for one was in favor
of borrowing the'$6OOO which had been
granted by authority of Legislature
and continue the improvements as far
as the money would go. He contended
that money which should be expended
on streets WAS going into the electric
light plant and since no money has
been borrowed for these improvements
as previously arranged for, he was in
favor OF borrowing the $4,000 and i'm
prove the streets especially Main and
Commerce.
SiOckIy Calls Halt on Such an Unwlse Course
This brought Councilman Stocklv to
his feet who persistently fought any
such course on the ground that COun-
Gil would be taking an unwise course.
He questioned whether the town would
have the right to borrow the money
now and if they did, he was opposed
to loading the town up with more
bonded Indebtedness when if the Street
Committee and members of COuncil
would have patience, there would be a
surplus in the treasury in six months
or year, unless something unforeseen
should happen, which would permit of
making improvements without the
need OF borrowing. Now that the
Electric Light Plant is fixed up he saw
no prospect OF putting more money into
1t for some time to come. President
Reynolds and others entertained the
thought that it would be better to 90
ahead and give Smyrna good streets at
cost and let the future gener-
ations pay for it. Good streets, thew
contended were a splendid Investment
for town, and inasmuch as the people
were clamoring for it, the sooner If
was done the better.
Grsves Would Borrow $4,000 to Fix Streets
Secretary Grieves was also enthusi-
astic for good streets and his plan is to
complete the two blocks already begun
and when the next Legislature meets
to ask the privilege of borrowing
$10,O and issue Is year bonds. The
road order of S4OO paid to SMYRNA bv
Kent County Levy Court every wear
would keep up the interest ON this
bonded indebtedness and as the S4OO
as really intended as the County's share
IN keeping UP the streets, by investing
1t IN this way it was practically costing
the town nothing for improvement
With the $40, 900 he would macadamize
all of Commerce and Main streets. the
two business thoroughfares, and plow
up and regrade all the other streets.
This he said would put the town in
good condition. The, majority of the
Council seemed to be enthusiastic over
street improvements and pointed to
Milford, Salisbury and other PENN.
sula towns who were keeping pace with
progressive towns throughout the
country in the manner of permanent
road building. There was nothing
definite reac' cd at the meeting Friday
evening, bulsit As encouraging to see
the interest that was taken. Council
will doubtless go into the matter care
fully and advisedly before anything is
done.
Petition For New Pavement on UnIou Street.
A petition was presented to Council
asking for pavement on Union street
in front of the lots of William FAIRIES
and John P. Goldsborough. The petit
tion was referred to the Street Com
mittee for action. Alderman Grow re-
ported $50. 80 in fines for the month of
July. Claims were allowed TO the
amount of $119.93. The meeting closed
with another spirited discussion on
the meth@s of paying bills in which