Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-06-25
BOROUGH FACES
A PROBLEM

A curious condition has developed
on West Mahoning street. j. w. Phil.
lips, who has just completed two blocks
! of modern concrete dwellings, follow
ing the lines furnished by the borough
surveyor, has begun work on a con-
crete pavement, which extends out in
| to the middle of the street. At present
there is barely room for a vehicle to
pass between the curb of MI Phillips
pavement and the edge Of the precip-
itous bank of Mahoning creek, which
is protected by stout guard rail. By
the time the three foot gutter is laid
called for in connection with the side
walk the space will be still further re-
duoed making it impossible for wag-
on to pass without encroaching upon
the concrete sidewalk.
This condition is due to the fact that
West Mahoning street at that point
owing TO encroachments by the creek
or TO other causes is less than one half
the required width. Until the new
houses, with their nine foot pavements
hanked with cutters three feet wide,
were built at the narrow point no
marked Inconvenience was experience.
ed from the narrow roadway.
Foreseeing what would occur about
three months ago fifty property own
ers, all residents of West Mahoning
street, signed petition addressed to
the borough council praying that body
to widen West Mahoning street be-
tween Chestnut street and Sperring's
dwelling, the distance Of a square or
more.
The petitioners noted closely the
proceeding OF council and not being
quite satisfied with the progress made,
at the last meeting presented them
selves before the local law makers and
asked to be informed on the status of
the proposition TO widen West Mahon-
ing street. They were then told that
the borough solicitor had rendered an
opinion on the subject, explaining that
in the absence of a map there is moth.
ing to show that street exists at that
point. On the strength Of this opinion
council had dropped the matter
That the property owners Of West
Mahoning street were considerably ex-
ercised Saturday when the attitude Of
council became known goes without
saying. People who have saved money
and built homes in that part of town
pertinently inquire whether they are
thus to be deprived Of egress. They
have deeds, they declare, that call for
n fifty foot street in front of their
dwellings. Besides, they affirm the
borough within recent years has &C
knowleged the existence of West Nah.
oning street by not only using the
street for various purposes but also by
making and keeping up repairs. They
regard themselves as entitled TO a
street that meets all requirements, and
on Saturday several OF the leading
residents went on record as saying
that the matter would be pressed I'M
til the street is widened. even if it
should be necessary to invoke the aid
Of the law.
An enormous amount of filing in
would be required 10 widen West Nah
oning street between the two points
above designated. Earlier in the sea-
son General Manager II. T. Hecht
agreed to assist the borough by dump
ing cinder from the Reading Iron
works along the embankment, provid-
ed council would supply the means of
bringing engine and cars across the
creek.
Mr.. Hecht's proposition was consid.
cred very liberal one. He not only
agreed to dump oinder on the spot but
also to grant the borough use of the
railroad bridge below the aqueduct
along with the ties and rails that
would be necessary TO lay the track.
All that devoIved upon the borough
was to remove the bridge and lay the
track. 1t is true. the cost OF the re.
moval and the erection OF the bridge
would not be light, owing TO the
necessity for deep excavation and the
construction of abutments
Such is the unsatisfactory state of
affairs at present. What the outcome
Of the complications existing may be
no one at this time will venture to
predict