The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-07-07
Busy Meeting of Freeholders.

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There was plenty of business for tn
Board of Freeholders to attend to at il
regular meeting on Wednesday.
There was considerable discussion owe
resolution proposing the incease of tn
budget by 10000, to be used in repair
ing roads. The resolution was signed b.
a majority of the members of the board
Solicitor Rigg was asked for an opinion
as to the legality of increasing the bud
get, after it had been definitely settles
and adopted He stated that his inter
lpretation of the law is that after the ap
preparations have been made the matte
is settled. However, similar action ha
been taken in other counties and no oh
lection has been raised. The court
have never been asked to pass upon tn,
question.
The Solicitor was requested to make ;
thorough examination of the law upor
this subject and file written opinion
If favorable, special meeting will b.
called to vote upon the increase. All thu
members are of the opinion that the
stone roads are in deplorable condition
and need repairs, but all the members
do not agree that the tax rate should bt
increased to do the work.
The contractor who is building the
Pearl street bridge, at Burlington, asked
for partial payment, as provided by
the contract. Auditor Tilton stated that
the bonds sold for this bridge had been
sold but not yet been delivered, SO there
was no money on hand for this purpose.
A motion was passed providing that the
amount asked, about SO, 200, be borrowed
until the cash had been received from
the bonds.
Solicitor Rigg presented bill for extra
services-$75 for fee in representing the
county in the recent road supervisor
case, Mcfarland VS.. Roberts, heard be-
fore Judge Carlow, and 1925 for appear
ing for the county in the damage suit of
Chase VS.. the Public Service Corporation
in connection with the collapsing of the
Pearl street bridge, Burlington. There
were also some items for witness fees
and expenses. The total amount of the
bill was $23O6l.
Mr.. Russ stated that he understood
when the solicitors salary was increased
that there wonld be no extra charges ex-
cept where the case involved more than
81 900.
Mr.. Rigg stated that in these cases
that limit had been exceeded, and con-
siderable work had been attached to both
trials. The bill was ordered paid.
When the members personal bills
were to be paid Mr.. Russ desired to have
Joseph A. Couples account eliminated,
on the ground that the gentleman from
Tabernacle is not legal member of the
board, not having filed his election ex-
pense account as required by law.
Mr.. Joyce said if Mr.. Couples was al
lowed to spend the county's money he
was entitled to compensation for his work.
If Couples is not a member he should
not be allowed to make expenditures.
Director Davis said he had been ad-
vised that the only method to solve the
question is by quo warranto proceedings.
Mr.. Russ motion to exclude Couples
bill was lost, 10 to 10, and the entire list
of personal bills as presented was order
ed paid.
A bill of $8S.25 for damages done to
the property of Mrs. Sarah A. Vande-
grift, of Burlington, was laid on the
table. Sheriff Jordan made raid on
the house several months ago and ar
rested John Birdsall and wife for con-
Quoting disorderly place. Some dam
age was done to the property at that
time.
A motion was passed providing for the
of an expert inspector to
oversee the building of bridge in
Mount Laurel township, and also one at
Palmyra, at price not to exceed 500
and $40 per month respectively.
Mr.. Russ objected on the ground that
the resident freeholder in each township
also inspects the work and is paid $500
a day therefor.
The subject was quite freely discussed
by number of members, and some
thing was said about an inspector being
now employed on the Pearl street bridge,
at Burlington.
County Engineer Logan said that
owing to the inspector being on the job
at Burlington the work there is being
conducted in satisfactory manner. The
inspector makes tests and examines ma
terials and does work that only an ex-
pert can do properly, which a freeholder
could not be expected to do.
1t was finally decided that the motion
to employ inspectors was proper and
wise.
A complaint was received from the
Atlantic county board, stating that the
Burlington board is not taking any ac-
ton toward repairing the Chestnut Neck
bridge over Mullica river.
Engineer Logan said this report was
untrue, as he and the Atlantic county
engineer are preparing plans for the
work.
The matter was referred to the proper
committee, with power to advertise for
bids when the plans and specifications
are ready.
AS this work will cost each county APP
proximately $4,000, some one asked
where the money is to come from. Solic-
itor Rigg was asked if bonds could legally
be issued to do repair work. He said he
would file a written opinion upon this
question.
A resolution was passed congratulate
ing Engineer Logan upon his recent
marriage,
A claim of $50 damage to an automo-
bile was presented by Pierce Thompson,
of Pemberton. The car struck culvert
pipe on the Pemberton and Browns
Mills road, at place where there had
been washout. 1t was referred to Mr.
Davis for investigation.
The committee on Hainesport draw
bridge was authorized to advertise fol
bids for repairs to that structure, at 6
cost not to exceed 81 900, half of which is
to be paid by the trolley company.
1t was ordered that the county en-
gineer prepare plans and specification
for bridge over Darnell's mill creek
on the Hainesport and Mount Laure
road, and committee authorized to ad