The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-11
MONTPELIER
Voters Decide on Steel Bridge To Replace
Wooden "Rialto."

Wooden "Rialto."
Expenditures which it is estimated win
total $4,000 were authorized at spe'
cial city meeting held in the city hall
Auditorium last evening when some 400
voters present voted almost unanimously
to erect steel bridge encased in concrete
to replace the present wooden structure
on State street across the North Branch
river, and to instruct the council to cause
repairs and improvements to be made at
the city poor farm to include the erection
of new brick building laundry and
modern heating plant. A proposed celc-
bration of the Fourth of July and 50th
anniversary Of peace was turned down
after long discussion in which John II.
Senter stood almost alone in favoring II
celebration.
Mayor Boutwell, read letter from En-
gineer +. O. Sinclair of Burlington in
which three types of bridges were de-
seribed an arch built entirely of con
crete at an estimated cost of $4,000; u
steel structure with girders encased in.
concrete, $4,000, and steel girder bridge
with concrete slabs, $4,000. Engineer
Reed was called upon for his opinion as
to the relative durability of the proposed
bridges and he openly favored the $40,
900 span. 1t was explained that the
arch bridge would be much more expen-
sive because of the fact that new abut-
ments would be required, whereas the
other two types would not.
After some discussion it was voted, on
L. DO. n.,I Il
ed by George l.. Blanchard, that bridge |
with steel girders entirely encased in
be constructed with the cost to
be as near $4,000 as possible.
Prior to the vote being taken an in
luiry was made by Fred Blanchard as
10 whether or not the Barre & Montpe
Ter Traction & Power Go. would agree to
bear the one third expense as their fran
,hise provides shall be done. Fred 4.
flea son, for the electric road made IA
,rief explanation of the position of the
in which he said that while
hey were not opposed in any way to
ity improvements. in justice to them
elves they felt an explanation should
re made. During the y months in when
he road has been operated by the Ten
ey company it has failed to e-eye rev.
nue. enough by approximately $4,000 to
leet the current expenses and they did
OF know where the money was coming
rom to pay their one third portion of
he expense of bridge They would de-
ire to have the matter of construction ,
George l.. Blanchard thought
hat the position of the company was
OF material and that when the time
,me for the one-third portion to be col
cted that an assessment could be made /
ne same as tax. He had property !
hich would probably be taken if he
Tiled to pay his taxes.
After considerable discussion especial a
among the legal authorities present {
bout the proper way to obtain the mon
i to build the bridge and Alderman
renier of the finance committee had
eddy explained the exact status of the
TVS money affairs, it was discovered '
lat in the warning no provision had .
zen made for the raising OF money and
second special meeting would have to :
, called for the purpose. "A motion was
ade later in the meeting by William b
ord that the city council be instructed
call special meeting for the express
irpose of adopting means to raise funds !,
carry out the two articles OF the \
arning voted upon favorably. =
The report of the special committee "a
pointed in March. consisting of George Il
Blanchard, George +. Lackey and w. ;,
Lamphier, to investigate conditions /,
the city poor farm, next claimed the
tention of the voters. In substance,
e committee condemned the condition 81
the farm at the present time and Il
pecially the small number of stock re
Recon- mendations were made that the CT
" retain the present farm, remodel the IS
esent main house and Use it solely for al
e caretaker and help on the farm, and =
act new brick building in which q. ct
use the 25 or 30 occupants of the farm. to
d equip the building with modern &C