The Republican journal., 1910-12-08
The Northport Road Case.
The County Commissioners Decide Ad'
versely on MIR. Cobe's Petition.


The County Commissioners Decide Ad-
verseIy on MIR. Cobes Petition.
1t was a surprise to many to learn that at
the meeting held in the court house last satur-
day the county commissioners had decided
adversely on the petition of Mr.. Ira M. Cooe
OF Chicago, summer resident OF Noftnport'
for a change in a short section OF county
road running through his property. The pro-
posed new road would have better grade, and
Mr.. Cobe proposed to pay oil land damages, all
costs of construction, including macaoamlzing,
and keep it in repair for ten years. There is
so much interest in the case that we give the
following report of the hearings furnished by
Mr. Orrin J. Dickey:
The second hearing was held in the Cobe
garage in Northport Wednesday afternoon,
Nov. 3Oth, after spending the forenoon in 60
ing over the grounds. At the hearing those
opposed presented protest against the change
in the road signed by more than hundred IN
cluding some whose names appeared on the
petition asking that the change be made. In
this list of remonstrants none of the cottage
owners who would be most affected appeared,
and only one had representative present, al
though all had been notified and this postpon-
ed hearing was held on their account.
When the hearing was called to order H. II.
Andrews of Northport, who lives at the foot
of the hill this side of the Cobe property, read
paper. in favor of the proposed change, in
H.. ~ oh ha dc
of increased value of the properties; the new
buildings and handsome lawns as proposed by
Mr.. Cobe; the encouragement extended to sum-
mer visitors and the betterment OF Northport.
He said that no great damage would be done
by the change; that Mr.. Cobe was a man of
activity and that if he was encouraged by this
slight favor others might locate there who
would help him (Andrews) in the sale of land
which he needed to sell, and that the South
Shore would have cleaner and nicer homes and
a pretty driveway.
Judge R. W. Rogers of Belfast spoke in favor
of the petition. He said that the new road
would increase the value of surrounding prop
erty and that favor to Mr.. Cobe would, no
doubt, result in bringing other wealthy sum-
mer residents who would increase the taxable
property of the town. Judge Rogers cited the
case of Islesboro, where the influx Of summer
residents had greatly increased the valuation
Of the town. In 20 years the valuation of Isles
boro had increased from 1856, 600 to over mill
lion dollars, due almost entirely to the summer
residents. Northport should profit by the ex-
ample and with its many advantages should be
willing to make such a slight concession, espe-
cially as it would not cost the town cent.
Frank Partridge, who resides in the Camp
ground, presented paper bearing the names
of over hundred remonstrants. many of
whom were also signers of the petition for the
road. He stated that only one person could
possibly be benefited by the change in the
road, and that was Mr.. Cobe, and that it was
not judicious or wise thing to do. He was
not interested personally, but appeared as a
representative of the cottage owners of South
Shore, who, he stated, were practically all op-
posed to the change. He said that he repre-
sented Mr.. Charles Dickerson and presented a
letter from him purporting to be in opposition
but which really was a conditional permission
for the change He said further that the change
would be great injury to every cottage owner
on the South Shore, and as a resident of the
town, and representative of the cottage own
ers of the South Shore, he entered vigorous
protest
Col. A. S. Bangs of Augusta appeared in op-
position, as one who drove over the road fre-
quently on his way to his summer home at
Temple Heights. He claimed that the grade
was sleeper in the new location and tt at the
road would be higher; that the hearing should
have been held in the summer, when all the
cottage owners were there, instead of in the
winter when none could get there; that only
the people in the immediate vicinity were af-
fected by the change; that the hearing should
be postponed; that macadamized road could
not be built in one year or even two; that it
was precedent set for the future, and in the
event that it was allowed he should ask for
change in the road at Temple Heights back of
his house; and further that Mr.. Cobe could not
be held to the agreement he had offered to
make.
]. R. Hurd, first selectman of Northport ap-
peared against the petition in behalf of the
cottage owners on the South Shore who were
not represented, and stated that the cottage
owners wanted to be on the highway and it
should be for them to say, not for other par
ties. He did not think Judge Rogers property
would be enhanced by the proposed change of
the road or believe that the public called for
the change in that locality.
Anson Benner said he represented number
of cottage owners on the South Shore, who al
though beyond the line of the change were
opposed to any change; that he was intending
to build So, 900 residence on his land in the
spring right in the path of the road. and that
it would be great injury to him, running his
grounds and preventing the building of his
house, if allowed. When questioned by Mr.
Austin W. Keating Mr.. Benner stated that Mr..
Cobe had an option on all his land in North
port in that locality at his own (Benner's)
figures, with the understanding that he, Cobe.
could take it within year, but he did not be-
lieve Mr.. Cobe would keep his word; that he
might back out.
Hon. R. F. punton, attorney for Mr.. Cobe,
in closing said that there ought not to have
been SO much said of the poor and the rich,
which was entirely out of place. Mr.. Cobe
had obligated himself to the commissioners to
do all that he had agreed to do and would keep
ments, signed and sealed. He asked for the