The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-07-16
On Policy Regarding the
Filling In of Side
walk a
ON A REQUEST
FROM FREMONT ST.
They Decided to Give Per
sonal Investigation of
Conditions

Few matters other than those of a
routine character were considered by
the board OF aldermen at its hours ses
sion last evening. President Brown pre-
sided and the mayor occupied his chair
at the head OF the table For the first
time in three weeks there was COM
plete board present. There was an un-
commonly large number of building per-
mits granted, considering that the bulk
of building operations around town are
usually under way by this time. Then
james F. Higgins appeared with re-
quest that the city fill in the site OF
the sidewalk on fremont street in order
that he might complete the grade around
the premises of his newly erected house,
Mr. Higgins petition preeipitated what
proved to be the only lengthy discus
sion Of the evening Alderman Dawson
asked that the public lavatories in city
/ hall be made accessible later in each
evening and again on Sundays, but the
question OF extending the open hours
was quickly disposed of, for President
Brown referred it to the property com
mittee with instructions TO investigate
and make a report.
In his request Mr.. Higgins disclaimed
any intention of asking for a sidewalk,
although he contended that sidewalk
would some day be constructed at the
intersection of Camp ana fremont
streets and that consequently the city
would sometime be compelled to expend
the six dollars or more which would COW
or the cost OF filling in the site Of the
walk at the present time. Chairman
Patterson of the street committee said
he had opposed Mr.. Higgins request on
the ground that it sought TO establish
precedent which in the end might cost
the city considerable money. Were the
owners Of fifty or a hundred houses to
ask the same privilege. one might read
ilv estimate the burden il would entail
ON the city, he continued. Alderman
Patterson cited several instances where
people had themselves paid for Just the
kind of sidewalk grading that Mr.. Hig
gins wished to have the city do.
Taking up the cudgel on the side of
the petitioner, Alderman Dawson said
that people to whom Alderman Patter-
SON referred must have been infinitely
more generous than Mr. Higgins. He
averred that he would oppose the grant
ing of the request If it were to extend
special privilege to Mr.. Higgins. Such
would not be the case, he thought Every
owner of home desired to improve
his surroundings, he continued, and the
city should readily lend its support to
such a worthy purpose, especially if the
cost were not to exceed the six dol
lars estimated by the city engineer.
Then. too. the city must ultimately meet
the expense of filing in the walk, he
thought. and II that were true, it might
as well be done now as later. With
Alderman Brown, who later voiced his
views. Alderman Dawson shared the be-
lief that the request didn't involve
question Of precedent but of the city's
duty On the motion of Alderman Daw
son, Mr.. Higgins request was referred
to the committee of the whole. The
committee. ii is expected will visit the
spot sometime in the near future and
deliver its opinion on the merits of the
petitioners request.
Building Permits.
Building permits granted on the fa
vorable recommendation of the inspector
were as follows: Morse & jackson, addl
tion to woodshed at Hilrs crossing: G.
J.. Moore. repairs to second stories on
Blackwell and High Holburn streets;
Rudolph Anderson, piazza on Brooklyn
street house; Robinson & Tracy, piazza
at l6 Hall street; school commissioners,
to erect school building off Beckley
street. same to be two stories high
with dimensions of 60 and 90 feet. and
walls to be of brick, with thickness of
IA inches; Frank Dresser, to erect dwell
ing on Stowe street; Mary Watson, to |
erect two piazzas at Cliff street; r. L. !
Clark. to erect bay window at Page Bros. |
brick office, so-called on Prospect street;
Annie Ingis, to build annex to piazza |
at Clark street; r. Fl. Currier, balcony I
for piazza at 20 East street.
Reports and Grievances.
The water committee reported its find
ings on the request of Felice Rizzi for /
an extension of the city water along l
Vine street The committee recommend
ed that the request he not granted, since
the proposed extension would entail an
to gain only one water patron thereby. /
Alderman Keefe thought the city would
get the interest on its investment by
building the extension, but Alderman
Hoban thought the member from ward
fve was a little off on such an esti-
mate On the motion of Alderman Ban
croft the report was accepted and or
iered placed on file.
A communication signed by Joseph G.
-alcagni called attention to what were
described as shameful conditions on Bel
ridere street at the head Of Humbert
street. The signer of the letter thought
hat the conditions had so existed since
asst spring. He thought they should be
improved. The matter was referred to
.he street committee on the motion OF
Alderman Keefe. The report of Supt
II. E. Reynolds of the water department
-or June was read by the clerk and ac-
,epted. A petition from Mcdonnell &
Sons asking that a hydrant be located
1t the rear of its new stoneshcd on
-;rolo streat was referred IN fhp 6rc