Sentence:  A road block to desirable local or borough improvements , heretofore dependent on the pocketbook vote of taxpayers and hence a drag on progress , is <WSD>removed</WSD> by making these a charge against the whole city instead of an assessment paid by those immediately affected . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract