Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-04-26
Meeting
To the Voters of Brattleboro:


that the town appropriate 100000 toward
the railroad improvements, according to
the plans which are made public, and as
provided in the form of resolutions
which are endorsed by us and which are
made public this week
We also heartily endorse and approve
the plan to purchase the Brattleboro
House.
1t is asked what will happen If the
town does not vote the appropriation for
the railroad improvements. The aboli-
ton of the grade crossing by an over
pass along the line of Bridge street, will,
exclusive of land damage, as our engi-
neers estimate, cost exceeding $4,000.
The damage to the Crosby property
would IL the railroad did not purchase
1t, or If the railroads were in contro-
versy with the town, be a very consid
cradle sum. BY law there would be as
sessed against the town 10 per cent of
all this cost of constructing the over
pass and paying damages, so the town
would have to pay, probably, from $4,000
to $4,000 In any event on that account,
even If we refuse this appropriation.
AS to Vernon street: II the town should
refuse to do anything the railroads
would without question insist on making
the new street at no less grade than the
present street. This would be very un-
satisfactory to the town, and while 1t
would save tne rallrOauS BOOu uedl VI
money, it would for all time leave
very unsatisfactory situation for the
town, and If the town ever wanted to
remedy 1t by cutting down the grade, 1t
Is safe to say that 1t would cost the
town all of the balance of the 100000
for the removal of rock and earth alone.
1t will be seen that the expense of maxi
| ing the new line of Vernon street on
a level with Main street bridge includ-
ing the expense of protecting the banks
| by bank walls, etc, Is very large. If
| the town should refuse this appropria-
| ton, and the railroad should build the
| new Vernon street at the same grade as
the old, then If the town should ever
want to cut down Vernon street, 1t
| would be at a tremendous cost, because
| it would not only entail the cutting
down of the rock, but the payment OF
| heavy damages for the additional slope,
! also the cost of a heavy retaining wall.
The advantage of having Vernon street
made at the grade of Main street bridge
| is clear. The reduction in the cost of
hauling freight to every one handling
| freight from the railroads will be a large
| saving and might amount to very much
more than the interest on the whole
cost of doing the work in the right way
| now.
| Then, too, we believe it means a lot to
| the town in its relation with the rail-
|
| spirit at this time. We want them to
build us a good depot and to make the
| surroundings attractive, and to give us
| improved facilities in every way. If we
| show the proper spirit now, we believe
| there Is much better chance of getting
| all that we ask for in first class con-
| struction and workmanship and improved
| facilities and train service than If we re-
| fuse to bear our fair share of the cost.
| AS to the Brattleboro House: This
| property was purchased by Mr.. Fits
with the full knowledge of the railroad
| committee, and with the understa nding
| then that the town was to have the OPP
portunity of purchasing the part which
the railroad companies did not desire, at
| cost. Mr.. Fits assumed all the risk,
| and Is now ready to fulfill his agree
| ment and let the town have 1t at cost,
| although he has already been offered a
very substantial sum more than the
town is asked to pay for it, and the
, value of that plot will undoubtedly in
crease considerably when the contem-
| plated improvements are completed.
| If the property Is not taken by the
| town, 1t will, of course, be developed
for business purposes, and the chance
| for the town to take 1t over will be for
| ever gone except at very large in
crease in cost The railroad companies
agree that If the town takes 1t they will
cut the rock out to a level, without ex-
| pense
An inspection of the plans for an over
pass along the line of Bridge street will
show that the elevation of the over
pass commences at about in front of the
| Brattleboro House, and gradually goes
| up to a point at a five per cent grade
over the railroad track, so that II the
| Brattleboro House remains, a new
block is built there, it will leave rather
of narrow space for entrance into the
depot yard. The depot yard and the APP
proach to the station will always be
cramped and crowded, unless the Brat.
tleboro House property is taken. There
is no other space on or adjacent to MAR
| street where there can at any reason
able cost be provided a good, roomy
square We are building now for al
time for Brattleboro, and 1t seems to us
that it will be short sighted for the towr
to let this opportunity go by. There
can be no doubt that If at any time II
the future the town wishes to part with
the whole or any part of this property
it will bring an enhanced price; but we
believe that the value to the town ir
| making its gateway wide and open Is
far beyond what 1t will cost. This point
will be the center of business activities
OF the town. The main highways lead
| ing from other towns converge here. As
the population and Industrial growth OF
| the town goes to the south, as 1t Is GO
| ing, 1t will make this location more and
more a centre; it will help the surround
| ing property; 1t will be of large adver-
| Using value to the town; 1t will give us
what we have not now got, that is, a
| place where teams, carriages and auto
| mobiles may stand with plenty of room
| and not obstruct traffic. II the freight
service is to be developed on the trolley
| line in connection with the steam rail-
| roads, 1t Is almost indispensa BILE that
| this property be secured and 1t seems to
us desirable that the facilities be af-
| forded for furnishing this trolley freight
| service to the Estey Organ factories and
| out Flat street. If the industries call for
| 1t.
| At the price 1t will cost the town. 1t
| means, at four per cent interest nothing
more than a rental of about 5000 per
year for that very commodious and de-
sirable tract of land in the very heart
| of the village.
To summarize we believe that the pur-
chase of the Brattleboro House prop
erty is essential to the proper carrying
| out of the complete plan, and consider
| ing the fact that the property can be
disposed of at any time without loss. II
| 1t develops. when the railroad improve
ments are completed. that 1t be not
needed by the town, we unanimously
recommend its purchase.
| J. G. STAFFORD.
| J. EDGAR MBLLEN,
A. f.. MERRILL,