Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1911-09-29
WATER RIGHTS
SEEM LIKELY
Aldermen Are ENCOURAGED
by Opinions of Riparian
Commissioners Here.
HEARING TO BE GIVEN
Sixteen Streets Are Included
City Willing to Pay Nom
Inal Figure to State.

Nuch encouragement was given
the representatives of the Board of
Aldermen by the State Board of
Riparian Commissioners yesterday
afternoon during their tour of the
streets abutttng on the waterfront,
In the councils appeal to have the
commissioners transfer the water
rights at the end of sixteen streets
to the city of Perth Amboy for COM
mercial and recreation purposes. AL
though the commissioners gave no
final opinion, they spoke favorably
OF the situation and greatly encour-
aged the aldermen.
Ends of Sixteen Streets.
There are sixteen streets in the
city abutting on the waterfront, said
Alderman-at-Large William d. Vocr-
hees following the conference, and
the city believes If the riparian
board will fix a nominal sum, on
which interest at seven per cent.
must be paid annually by the city to
the state, the venture would prove
to be of great financial profit. But
the aldermen do not feel that the
city should own these riparian rights
for mercenary reasons, but to place
the Board Of Aldermen in a position
to launch the well-known recreation
park idea at the foot of High street,
If advisab BILE.
According to the commissioners
the next step In the appeal will be to
set date for hearing before the
Riparian Board, at which time all
those opposed or in favor of the plan
may appear and cite their opinions.
The commissioners will fix this date
In the near future and in the mean
time probably set value, per run
ming foot, on the waterfront proper
ty. Mr.. Voorhees, Is of the opinion
that the value, per foot, will average
In the neighborhood of s25. Each
street Is about sixty feet wide, or a
total value of $1,000 per street. Six
teen streets would bring the grand
total up to $4,000. Interest on this
amount at seven per cent. allowed to
the state by law, would be $3.50
per year. This system will be en-
ployed if the riparian rights are Sc
cured.
City Attorneys Opinion.
City Attorney G. c. Hommann,
who was with the board yesterday,
gave his opinion that the city will
not be required to purchase the
rights at the foot of six streets, as
these rights were given to the city in
the original grant back in Queen
AIMS reign. The streets enumerat-
ed by Mr.. Hommann are: Washing
ton, Fayette, Commerce, Smith, Cor
don and High. These are very i'm
portant thoroughfares and the alder
men believe, If Mr.. Hommann's
claim is legally established, that a
great step has been accomplished.
Attorney General Edmund Wilson
will be asked for an opinion by the
Riparian Board on Mr.. Hommann's
claim based on an early grant.
1t is a known fact when the Staten
Island Rapid Transit Railway Com
pany petitioned the city for the RI
parian rights at the foot of Smith
street, for the purpose of establish
ing ferry landing there, the same
was granted without an appeal to
the state for said rights. This was
forty years ago, before the act was
passed establishing the Riparian
Board. and many hold that it was
this reason, not reference to the
original grant, which was the basis
for the city's action. The ferry
company has had the water rights on
Smith street for forty years.
1t is usually the custom Of the
riparian commissioners to grant a
city's appeal, but on occasions they
have placed the estimated value so
high that the city reluctantly with
drew its petition. The rights are of
no value to any private individual,
as the city has complete control over
all thoroughfares.