Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-02-25
ASK S32,500 FOR
REPAIR GARDINER
RANDOLPH BRIDGE

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Gardiner and Randolph appeared
before the ways and bridges COM
mittee of the Legislature Tuesday
afternoon in favor of the appropri-
alton of $4,000 sought for the re-
building Of one pier of the Gardiner
and Randolph dr;twbridge.
The matter was opened by Repre-.
sentative Clarke of Randolph. vino
toll: of the various expenses III re-
lation to the repai. of the bridge
that. the city of Gardner and Rar-
dolph has been obliged to bear in
past years. He declared that now
the piers of the fridge are in very
bad shape, that the hull trusses have
been fixed up all that they can e
and that unless a new pier is placed
under the bridge, the bridge will go
down.
Mayor Donald McNaughton of
Gardiner stated that the valuation
of Gardiner in 1918 was $3,S1S,OO0
and the tax rate was $21 FER $1,000.
The valuation has been increased to
81, OO.OO and last year the tax rate
was $3.50 per $1,000. The people
of Gardiner feel they are taxed to
the limit" he asserted.
He pointed out that Caroline has
four bridges over Cobobssee stream
to maintain and 40 miles of high
ways to care for, and he told of the
citys needs including a new central
fire station and garbage incinera-
tor. The bonded debt of the city is
100000. He said that if the State
will pay for the first pier of the
bridge, the city OF Gardiner and the
town of Randolph plan to care for
tie other piers needed, under the
bridge act. The city of Gardiner
has eleven bridges to maintain. he
asserted.
Judge W. c. Atkins of Gardiner
said that If the City of Gardiner
should undertake to replace this
pier in the bridge that it would need
Legislative authority to increase its
its debt limit.
Bion Jose OF Gardiner. highway
engineer, said that Gardiner has 1000
feet of bridges to maintain and that
l.. n. Edwards, highway bridge en-
gineer, has recommended that the
bridge piers be completely recon-
structed and within the next two or
three years.
Ilewellyn n. Edwards. chief
way Department, said that he con-
siders the bridge unsafe at the pres
ent time for it is uncertain if the
temporary repairs have touched the
weak spots. He said that many of
the timbers in the bridge riers are
rCttcn.
Mayor McNaughton pointed out
trat this is the only bridge between
Augusta and the sea and only
traction of the traffic across the
tridgc is by Gardiner and Randolph
people.
Representative Clarke of Ran
dolph stated that one day last sum-
mer 2062 automobiles went over the
bridge between $50 A. NJ, and $50
z. NJ.
Pond Road in West Gardiner
Seeking an appropriation of SoUO
for each of the next two coming MS
cal years, Representative Cole OF
West Gardiner, r. l.. Snow. chair
man of the board of Sclectmen OF
that town. and T.. j.. Snow, CHAIR
West Gardiner, told for the need Tor
repairs on the Pond road in the
town of West Gardiner.
REPRESENTATIVE Pendleton OF
Islesboro and Charles II. Gray. for
mer selectman of Prospect, spoke IN
behalf of an appropriation of $1,000
fer the repair of one and three
fourths miles of unimpaired nigh
way on the road leading from the
Atlantic highway. to Bucksport.
NJ. Il. Parker. selectman of Sears
port. Representative pendlcton of
Islesboro, and +. ]. Mortland OF
Searsport told of the need for re-
pairs on a portion of the road lead
ing by Swan Lake to North Sears
port. The State is asked to appro-
rriate $3.50 for the repairs, and the
town of Searspor. $50.
A number OF other highway APP
preparations We're considered by the
committee at the hearing.