Putnam patriot., 1929-10-17
OPTION TO BUY OAK HILL
 ASSIGNED TO THE CITY
s NIKOLOFF REFUSES TO SELL SITE FOR TANK.-MAYOR OFFERS TO TAKE LAND COMMISSIONERS DO
 NOT NEED AT CONTRACT PRICE
-Pecuiar Transaction Says Alderman ChadwickAmes Com
 pments His Honor

N-
 As the result of the meeting be. tween Mayor Charles Richard and $, Nikoloff. holder of an option to pur- chase the and comprising most of the top of Oak Hill. which last Thurs aay's Patriot" stated would take place that afternoon, the city of Put nam now holds the option by assign mr6t from Mir. Nikolof. This was stated to the members cf the common e6uneil by Mayor Richard at spe- cini meeting of the council last Thursday evening.
 F The city was aesirous O. purehas- ing tract of land l00xs0 in th9 rezf. or east, of the present stand pipe as a site for the new 90-foot mil lion gallon standpipe fer which a con- tract has been awarded. A ] the city zseds for it's purpose is this small tract and an easement or right of way over another tract between Oak Hill and the present tank. Ii the option is exercised, therefore, the city will acquire a substantial num- Der of acres of land hat it does not require fer water works purposes. Mayor Makcs ouef This remaining land can easily he disposed of by the city. The Patriot stated last week that it knew of two men who would accept the balance of the land. One of the gentlemen the Patriot" had in mind was May or Richard, who had private y stated that he would take the traet over. The mayor made his offer public at the meeting last Thursday evening. He told the council that if the city does not care to retain the land that hs will take 1t e.f the eity's hands at the contract price and that ne vas ready to ray the city treasurer xi,500 the following day It was also made known that the Putnam Saw ings Bank. whose bond for deed the city now holds. IS ready and willing to take back the land not required from the city. The Patriot knows of still another citizen who Is ready tp purchase the balance of the tract if the city desires to sell.
 When the meeting was called to order Mayor Richard said that he had met Mir. Nikoloff twice during tnr afternoon and that there was 'snothing to do but take over the whole tract. He could not gel a deed to the plot the city needs and he therefore toek over the option held by Mir. Nikoloff as he was authorized to do by the council.
 To Pay Nikolof $50
 The mayor then said that if the city doesn't want the who'e tract he will take 1t over at the stated price. He suggested that the city clerk be instructed to draw an order for $50. payable to Mr. Nikoloh. to reimburse Mir. Nikolef for the con sideration he has paid the bank foi the option. This was voted.
 Alderman Ames said he wished tc compliment the mayor for his atti tude.
 Mayor Richard then said that If | was voted to authorize it he would give a check to the city for Sl,50O.
 Alderman Ames said he would hk' to see the city take 1t over in it's en kzrety and if they couldn't make pablic park cf 1t the city could a least control 1t.
 The mayor stated that the banl will take 1t back themselves and sel the plot to the city for $500.
 Alderman Chadwick said, 'lt ha been very peculiar transaetiol from beginning to end. l can't un derstand it."
 Whether or not the city will accep the mayors offer or will make som other disposition of the balance Q the land he under the bond for deed will be decided at the next mee ing. It was stated that if the city dc sired to purchase the whole tract would require the vote Of the citizen in special city meeting.
 How Situation Arose
 The situation in which the cit found itself forced Co take over a