Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-08-23
MORE SIDEWALKS
WERE AUTHORIZED
Extra Appropriation Of $4,000
Voted in Special Meeting
Half Feet-DecIded Differences OF
opinion Expressed.

A decided difference of opinion was
manifested in the special town meeting
in Festival hall Monday night, called to
act on three articles relative to the new
cement sidewalks, and after spirited
debate resolutions were adopted limiting
the minimum width of the new walks
to three and one half feet, specifying
several additional streets on which side
walks shall be laid and authorizing an
expenditure of $4,000 in addition to the
$4,000 voted last March, IL necessary.
The resolutions, which were introduced
by Scion A. Richmond, also provided
that abutters who have paid for having
cement walks laid wider than the mini
mum previously provided for on their
streets shall have refunded to them
whatever they have paid, up to the new
minimum width
DIR. H. D. Holton, moderator raped for
order. Clerk c. s. Hopkins read the
warrant, which was to see II the town
would vote to amend the resolutions of
the March meeting, fixing the minimum
width of the new walks, and If so to
fix the minimum width; to see what new
streets, if any, should be provided with
new walks; and to see how much
money, If any, should be appropriated
in addition to the first appropriation of
5000
Mr.. Richmond moved that articles l.
2and be acted upon together, Stating
that he would offer resolutions cover
Ing all three. 1t was so voted and Mr..
Richmond presented and moved the ad-
option Of these resolutions:
Resolved: That the vote passed at the
last annual town meeting authorizing
the building of permanent sidewalks
within the limits of the public highways
of the town, Is hereby amended by add
ing thereto the following words:
mo sidewalk constructed hereunder
shall be of a less width than three and
one-half feet"
Resolved That the commission ap-
pointed at said town meeting to build
permanent sidewalks under said resolu-
tons are further requested to construct
such sidewalks along the following
routes and courses, in addition to those
referred to in the said resolutions pass
ed at the annual town meeting, to wit:
From the junction of Pine and Canal
streets, along the easterly side of Canal
street southerly to the west line of
lot of Charles Akeley, a distance of APP
proximately 1850 feet.
From the junction of Maple and Lo-
Gust streets, on the southerly side of
Maple street westerly to a point where
the path or walk leads up to the Austne
Institution, distance of approximately
500 feet.
From the road to the Catholic ceme-
terry to Oak Grove avenue, on South
Main street.
From the end of the tar walk near
the house of M. j. Moran on Highland
avenue, northerly along the easterly
side of Highland avenue to the norther-
ly line of the house lot Of c. B. Crow
ell, distance Of approximately 1900 feet |;
this not to be done until Highland av-
enue is made a public highway to the
limits above mentioned.
From the end of the tar walk on the
west side of South Main street at the
nj fhn 90 1f,,A. 4.
erly along South Main street crossing
the same past the three story house of
c. F. Mason, and thence on the easterly
side of said South Main street to Hunt
avenue, distance of approximately 1900
feet.
On the south side of Belmont avenue
from H. L. Emersons houses to Canal
street.
On the west side of Frost place from
Elliot street to Willow street
On the south side of Morningside place
and around the corner thereof on the
east side Of South Main street in front
of Holden & Martins and Emerson's
houses, total of about 400 feet.
Resolved: That in whatever instances
up to this time abutting land owners
have paid for the construction of per.
manent sidewalks under the resolutions
passed at town meeting, up to the min
imum of four feet, the commission are
authorized and directed to pay to said
abuttng land owners the amount so pai6
by them in each instance up to the
minimum width.
Resolved: That there is hereby apro-
priated the sum of not to exceed $40Ot
to be used and expended by said commits.
sion to meet the provisions of the fore.
going vote; and the treasurer Of the
town Is hereby authorized to borrow or
the credit of the town, at the best rates
obtainable, said sum OF money, and pay
hn rnxrict ~
this vote
George L. Durham thought the voters
present were not qualified to pass on the
merits Of the resolution without time fol-
further consideration. He said it was
easier to create a debt than to pay II
ana that streets not already provided
for could wait. He favored a minimum
OF three and a half feet, but die
not favor appropriating $4,000 at this
time; rather he would spend more money
on the highways.
Selectman J. @. Stafford showed thai
the bonded debt Of the town had grown
to $1H000. He agreed with Mr.. Dunbar
and thought 1t time to call a halt Thorn.
as Pentland thought three and a hall
feet too narrow for any walk. He SAID
the three-and-a half foot walk on Ell.
Hot street, one OF the main streets o.
the town, was a shame. His remarks
were applauded.
Mr. Richmond thought a four-foo
walk on some of the narrow street.
would crowd the roadway. The commits
sion, he said, hoped to build all thu
walks within the present appropriation
and could be trusted to use the money
with good judgment, but they ough
not to be restricted in case they needed
little more.
Sectman ]. E. Mellen said one and
one-twelfth mile had been laid and thai
the sub grading had cost 2S1h cents 6
square yard, the whole costing a little
over $4,000. At that rate he said the Who'll,
job could be done within the existing
appropriation, but the commission ough
not to be forced to stop II It should turn
out that the appropriation was no
enough to complete the job. On 6
streets, he said, the old resolution call
ed for only 10 to be more than thre,
feet wide, and the majority ought t,
be four feet wide.
That the committee was right in ask
ing for the latitude 1t desired was thu
opinion Of C. c. Fits He said the tow
should do the thing that needed to b
done and that 1t would be good bust
ness TO complete the job now. Referenc
was made to the fact that the state ha
ed