Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-02-07
BUSINESS Of THE CITY
RAPIDLY INCREASING
City Attorney Peck, in Annual
Review Of Legal Matters, Says
That Changed Conditions
Have Come into Individual
and Corporate Life.
70 tho Honorable City Council Of tn
city Of BURLINGTON:

70 tho Honorable City Council OF the
City Of Burlington:
Gentlemen:
The doinss of the city council and of
The board Of aldermen are quite fully re-
ported in the columns Of our two city
papers; and this Is we'll, for the general
public should know what are city affairs,
and how they are conducted.
In compliance with the city charter
herewith submit my report as city attor-
ney for the year 1917.
NEW STREETS AND EXTENSIONS.
The petition Of e. J. Walker and others
against the city asking for the opening
Of q highway to be called O'Neil street is
still pending in the supreme court on
exceptions taken by some Of the petit
tioners. shall press this for a hearing
ut the February term Of said court.
The petitions praying for the extension
Of Bank street to South Union street. and
Of Allen street to North Champlain street
which were heard in 1916 were denied by
the street commissioners. No appeal has
been taken.
Commissioners have been appointed by
the county court to hear the petition for
the extension Of Isham street to Pearl
street, and hearing will soon be had.
In 1915 at the request Of the city council
A. o. Ferguson kindly conveyed to the
city. for q nominal consideration, title to
all the streets and avenues in tho "Fergu-
son and Scarf Addition" owned by him.
During the latter part Of that year. upon
petition Of abutting owners, the city laid
o sewer in Lyman avenue and Foster
street and made an assessment agains,
the abutting property as provided by the
charter. and an appeal has been taken by
some Of the owners by way Of bring q petit
ton to the county court for the appoint
mont Of commissioners to hear theil
grievances. Commissioners have beer
agreed upon and the case will soon b,
heard.
SUITS AGAINST THE CITY.
The suit of the Burlington Light &
Power company against the city. referred
to in my report one year ago. was decided
pro forma for the company. Exception,
were taken by the city TO the supreme
court and the case Is on the trial calendal
Of that court.
Isaac Perleman has withdrawn his sui
against the city and paid the assessment
made for laying a sidewalk and curbini
and guttering street on which some O.
his property abuts.
The suits between the city and the Cen
trail Vermont Railway company and tn
Rutland Railroad company involving. II
part, claims Of the city for unpaid take
are still pending. I refer the taxpayer
70 my report made last year. and found
~ to this matter. on page los Of the Cit!
Report, 1916. I then said that had been as
sured by the attorney Of the Central Yer
mont Railway company that this compan,
would be ready in the spring Of 1917. an
rnR Ann tot
SITUATED in this city was made. to adjus
~ differences with the city as to thes
Vppald taxes. have tried several time
~ letter and by personal interviews wit
the attorney Of the company to have COZ
ferences on this subject. have been tol
that tho re-survey was not completed q
coon AZ expected and that this della
ID one Of the facts which has prevente
such conferences being hold. Both raj
roads admit that some Of the unpaid take
are legally due, but claim that some ar
assessed on property used for railroa
purposes. Just what property Is SO use
and so not subject to local taxation is tn
chief question in issue. Each road own
e several pieces Of real estate situated 1
the city. and 1t is claimed by the CON
panies that some portions Of SOME Of tn
pieces are used for railroad purposes an
exempt from local taxation. Considerably
time will be required to examine tn
records and the several pieces of propert
30 taxed and separate the taxes admitted
due. from those claimed to be illegal
assessed.
UNPAID TAXES.
Early in the summer Of 1917 I brougf
the entire question Of unpaid taxes frol
all sources before the board Of alderme
and the matter waa oiite fully copsidaro
but no action then taken. His honor, I'll
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i A. Pure A. the Lily