Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-05-14
.FREEHOLDERST To
CONS|DERPLAN
Of So. AMbOY
MechanicsviIIe Residents Voice
Objections, But Nothing Will
Be Done to Delay Work
By staff Correspondent.

SOUTH AMBOY, May 14.-While
no action was taken at the meeting
of the common council with the mem
bers of the Board of Freeholders and
other county and state officials here
last night, concerning the proposition
of the state to extend Route NO. 4,
through this city, and eliminate the
ole-in- the-Wall. definite working
plan was agreed upon TO clear UP the
differences blocking the projects.
AS a result of last nights action,
the common council will forward to
the Freeholders, probably at their
meeting tomorrow, comprehensive
idea of what the city wants. The
county board will in turn take the
matter up with the State Highway
Commission who will confer with the
Pennsylvania Railroad in the matter.
Question of Route NO. A.
1t was easy TO be seen as the meet
ing progressed that the Main pitch in
the proposition would be the objection
of Mechanicsville residents to have
Route 4, of the State Highway di-
vert from that section and extend over
the Pennsylvania right of Way.
Councilman James Hackett and
County Engineer Alvin f. Fox paved
the way for an understanding in the
matter. The councilman In urging
k4hat the city decide what they want
against further delay He added that
II the city could not get all they
want In the matter to get as much as
they can, but "to be sure to ask for
enough" His remarks were followed
up by Mr.. Fox, who outlined the ac-
tion that the city council should take.
Many at Meeting.
The meeting, which was largely at
tended. mainly by residents Of the Me-
oh a 10 fof M mn n0F
Harry Robbins outlined the states
proposition and letter sent to the
county and city board by the state
commission was read. Then Director
William s. Dey urged that co-opera-
ton be the watchword in an effort
to satisfy Mechanicsville as well as
the rest of the city, county and state.
Charles Rose, attorney for Sayre-
VILE township, who represented the
large body of Mechanicsville residents,
took the floor He pointed out that
Mechanicsville had been unjustly
blamed for the Hole-in- -the-Wall con-
dition and, that while that section of
South Amboy does not wish to be cut
off, they were willing to cooperate
for the best possible solution for all
concerned. He submitted plans and
details of a proposition in which Me-
gainesville residents would agree to
the closing of the Hole-in-the- Wall
The plans provided for an overhead
bridge at least fifty feet wide, with a
clearance of twenty-five feet, the new
span to be $50 feet southwest of
Alpine street. AS proposed 1t will be
in the middle of block above Alpine
street. This plan, Mr. Rose said.
would close the Hole-in-the-Wall and
at the same time do little damage
to the property abutting IT. But little
property would have to be acquired.
he said. four lots in all. which are
owned by Senator Thomas Brown Of
Perth Amboy, and George A. Thomas,
of Mechanicsville. The Mechanics
Vile proposition also called for sim
gle track trolley line over the pro-
posed bridge.
City Solicitor Leo ]. Coakley pointed
out the question of jurisdiction In the
closing of the Hole in the Well and
the vacation of Alpine street. He said
that the county has the major Juris-
diction in controlling the Hole"
while South Amboy has sewer rights
therein and the city of Perth Amboy
water main rights. He added that Mr..
Rose had struck upon the solution, but
that the city was at the mercy of the
state and county.
Brings out Opposition.
Then followed lengthy discussion
as to the plan of the State Highway
commission to use the Pennsylvania
right of way for the continuance OF
Route Four, the state engineers point
ing out that 1t has been the policy of
the commission to select wide roads.
away from the congested parts OF
municipalities. This brought out op-
position for the Mechanicsville contin-
gent. whereupon Freeholder Dey
pointed to the possibility of South
Amboy having auto roads. one. the
improved Pennsylvania Right of way,
constructed by the state and the other.
through Mechanicsville, eliminating
the Hole-in- the-W Wall, built by the
county with state air. the Pennsylva-
mia Railroad to build the overhead
bridge.
CONTINUED on page 81
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