Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-10-23
WATER STREET PAVEMENT.

1t is to be regretted that insinuations have
been made regarding paving contracts in this
city. Alderman Seaman evidently has sus-
picions of something that is not what it
1ought to be. If he has any facts that he is
feeping to himself he should give them out
arr the benefit Of the taxpayers. Mr.. Seaman
no doubt sincere in the stand he has taken
regarding the Water street improvement. but
there are many who will differ with him and
unless he can show that there is actual wrong
doing In connection with the letting of paving
contracts at this time, it is doubtful if he will
secure much support from the public.
Water street has long been an eyesore to
the city. The EH IIs.s re NEWS pointed out
elght Qnschpfnstva.s ago what a beautiful boule-
yard could be made of the road around the
Bluff if it were paved and improved. The
view from there cannot be surpassed anywhere
in the state. 1t is a shame that the street has
been ignored so long. AS it has been only
within the last three or four years that the
Bluff has actually been built up, there was
good reason, perhaps, for the delay.
This reason no longer exists. There are but
few vacant lots left along Water street. The
property owners are clamoring for a pave
ment. More than once this year delegations
OF citizens have waited upon the Board of Al
dermen and urged the improvement. AS this
street ranks with the business section of the
city in the effect that a pavement would have
on Perth Amboy as a whole, the demands of
the people should be heard.
1t is only fair to Alderman Seaman and AL
derman-at-Large Garretson to say that both
are heartily in accord with the proposed i'm
provement and both want to see Water street
paved as much as do the aldermen who voted
for immediate action Monday night. They
differ with their colleagues only as to the
There is much reason in their arguments, too.
In the first place, a great deal of work has got
to be done along the water front before any
pavement can be laid. Paving material may
be cheaper next year when it is proposed to
do the work, and by getting bids now and
awarding the contract for work to be done
six or eight months hence, the city may be pay
ing more than necessary.
On the other hand, the property owners can
not be blamed for getting impatient. They
have waited a long time for the work and now
that they have a municipal board willing to go
ahead they are justified in pushing their point
to the limit. On the whole, we do not believe
any serious mistake will be made in getting
the bids for the paving Of Water streets now,
especially as the property owners must pay
the greater part of the expense. We are sure
that every person who has an interest in the
development and identifying of the city will
rejoice that the work is to be done.
AS for the Hastings Paving Company, it is
not certain yet that they will get the contract.
They have done a great deal of paving in this
city in the past, however, and as far as we
have been able to learn, the work has been
very satisfactory. A vast amount of munici-
pal improvement has taken place in Perth Am
Roy during the past FIVE or six years and we
re proud to say it has been accomplished