The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-08-08
BENNINGTON HAS
IMPROVED HER
SIDEWALKS
Rapid Strides Made in Past
Two Years
VILLAGE NOW IN CHARGE
Good Work Still Going On-Appro
priation of $500 Being Spent
With Evident Results.

Two years ago the sidewalk situa-
ton in Bennington constituted a real
problem, while improvements were
being constantly made by owners Of
residences who sought to add an
other convenience to the vicinity of
their homes, there was no uniform
width for sidewalks, there was no &C
cepted standard Of material and the
interest of the village itself in the
problem was only secondary. There
was no concerted action and the vii
lage authorities felt themselves to be
without power in the matter.
At the annual village meetings an
appropriation of $1,000 for sidewalks
had been voted again and again, but
this sum had never been used ex-
clusively for the purpose for which
| 1t was intended, namely the con-
struction OF permanent sidewalk.
| In the past two years there has
been an entire change OF policy in
the matter. due largely to the efforts
of Trustee Edward II. Holden. Ce-
ment has been adopted as the stand
ard material, a definite width for side
walks has been in vogue, and the
work has been done under the super
vision OF the village which shares the
cost with the owners of abutting land.
While the sidewalk problem is still a
serious one because of the condition
OF the most used streets, Bennington
| is long way toward a solution of the
| sidewalk puzzle.
During the past two years a large
| amount of cement sidewalk has been
laid. Previous to 1911 all sidewalk
laid was constructed at the entire ex-
pense OF the adjoining land owners.
At the present time, however, all the
sidewalk laid under the agreement
| joint expense of village and land
owners.
In 1910 cement became popular for
sidewalks. In that year cement
walks were laid in front of the Sibley
residence on Main street, the Alfred
Winslow store, the H. d. Fillmore res
idence on Pleasant street, the James
| Hurley residence on South street, the
Y. NJ. c. A. building. the First Ma
tional Bank, John H. Norton proper
ty on Main street and the Galusha
| residence on Valentine street.
In 1911 larger amount was laid,
half the expense being met by the
| village. Walks were laid in front
of the Congregational and Episcopal
churches on School street, this ex-
tending from Main street to the
School street bridge; another piece
4 w lafd from, h.. AAl
School street to Gage street on the
east side. On North street, on the
west side, from the North street
bridge to the foot of Pleasant street:
on the east side from Pleasant street
TO the Morehouse property. Cement
was laid around the Putnam House
and in front OF the court house.
Walks were also installed in front of
the Corsiglia building and the Cole
Drug store.
During the present summer walks
have been laid in 'front.' of the Edding-
ton Meat Market on Main street, the
kimball residence on Union street,
the F. b. Pope property on Pleasant
street, on North street from Adams to
County. on South street in front of
the Harmon and Huling property, on
Main street in front OF the Cottage
Hotel and the Masonic Temple.
Less than one-half the appropria-
ton for sidewalks has been used.
Fifteen hundred dollars was appro-
priated at the last village meeting
for cement sidewalks and as the half
paid by the landowners equals this
amount, the sums used or remaining
TO be used come to $4,000. An i'm
proved clerical system puts the vii
lage in a position to easily collect all
assessments and last year all assess
ments amounting to many hundreds
OF dollars were promptly paid. As
so large a number of citizens are de-
string sidewalks laid, the village au-
thorities find 1t easy to select streets
where the landowners are willing and
anxious to pay promptly upon the
completion OF the work.