The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-02-05
Sharp Contest Developed in
City Meeting Over Build
ing New Bridge All
NEW BRIDGES ARTY
WON s. s8 TO Sc
Was Late:s Voted to Bond
for $19,5O0 in Addition to
S14,50O Already Named

The citizens of Barre voted last night
to build granite arch bridge over Jail
branch on South Main street and TO
issue Sl9,5 800 bonds, in addition to Sl4,-
500 already authorized, in order to con
struct the bridge. This action was TAX
en- after two hours debate and by u
vote of Ss to SO on the motion to build
and so to 50 on the motion to bond.
Opposition TO the project was based
largely on the argument that the city
is not in financial position to carry
out the project, while the supporters Of
the project believed that new bridge
is necessary to insure the safety of the
public. Considerable history was raked
over in the discussion, and, taken alto
gether, the meeting was one of the
most interesting held in recent years.
u. f. Langley was moderator
More than a score of men participat
ed in the discussion after Alderman
Henry Alexander had moved and DR..
w. T. Lazell had seconded, that
bridge be built. 0. X. Hollister started
off the debate with the statement that
ii is a poor time to float bond issue,
that the city is threatened with 81 tax
rate and that the citizens should begin
to pare down that rate now by refus
ing to spend money for new bridge II
the present structure is safe.
James r. Curtis didn't think the
bridge is safe from the standpoint of
the danger to women and children who
have to cross the bridge in the roadway
and have to wait at either end of the
bridge until the traffic is clear
A - 4 - taa $50 tn
safety Of the bridge was asked by
James T. Marion Of City Engineer
r. O. Lee, and the latter replied that
the present wooden bridge is in a very
dangerous condition. that the state
engineer and other experts have coin
cided in that view. that the woodwork
of the present structure would have TO
be rebuilt and that the abutments
might have 10 be strengthened.
Alderman Scott inquired of City En-
gineer Lee: "Isn't the bridge safe as it
stands now"
City Engineer Lee did net think the
bridge is safe.
sIsn't il fact there arc no props
under it, inquired Mr. Scott.
Yes replied the city engineer.
"NasHit it. the wing and Hctssf he
abutment that needed repairing las5
summer ~ queried Mr.. Scott further.
"It was the wing wall and part or
the corner abutment," responded the
engineer.
Alderman Scott was opposed to build
ing the bridge because be said this was
not the only bridge in the city which
needs attention, mentioning the Ayers
= L. - A4r ht-t1
being much weaker.
Alderman Alexander told about be-
ing called to inspect the bridge last
summer on a rainy day and he found
one timber so rotten that he was able
to dig ii away with his umbrella
George Hoyt thought the city could
put in new timbers TO replace the ones
rotted. II. r. Cutler thought the rotten
timbers had been replaced He inspect
ed the bridge yesterday and didn't find
deeaved timber He considered, too,
that with the placing OF props under
the bridge the structure would be able
to carry the traffic safely for three or
four years.
Did vou notice the abutments -
asked Alderman Alexander Of MIR. oui-'
Ter
4 certainly did" replied Mr.. Cutler,
"and | think the abutments are all
right
Then your opinion does not coincide
with mine came back Alderman Alex
ander.
Some history. not SO very ancient,
was injected into the discussion when
Will Averill asked If the citizens had
not already voted to build = new.
bridge. CITY Clerk Mackay replied
that the citizens had voted to build the
bridge but hadn't provided money
enough.
Estimates on Bridge Costs.
The next turn of the debate came
when A. p. Lane asked for estimates
CONTINUED on third page.l