Citizens Petition the Village Trustees for Improvements.

New York, 1895

The village trustees held their regular monthly meeting Thursday evening. President Watts presided. Trustee Mills was absent. The first Thursday in May was fixed for a hearing in the Shelton avenue assessment.

The petition for a crosswalk to be laid at Franklin and Willow streets was referred to the street committee. John Fitzgerald, of Chichester avenue, said that the avenue was in a dangerous condition, worse even than before the $250 was expended upon it. People who desired to build in the neighborhood had been frightened away. The motion to refer the matter to the street committee, with power, was lost.

Trustee Van Allen said that a map and petition had been filed with the board some time ago for the improvement of Chichester avenue. Trustee Higgins explained the work that had been done was done under the map and petition. Trustee Downing said the property should be assessed for a portion of the expense, as the village had already expended $250.

President Watts decided that the old petition could not be revived, and a new one must be presented for the desired improvement.

Trustee Twombly, of the fire department committee, recommended that the board build a new house for Woodhull hose company, equip the bucket company as a truck company, and purchase a site and build a house for it at an aggregate outlay not exceeding $4,400. The recommendations were adopted, and the resolution will be submitted to the electors at the next charter election.

The sidewalk flagging business, laid over from the last meeting, was taken up.

Trustee Van Allen moved that a four foot stone walk be laid on both sides of Franklin street.

Trustee Wyckoff objected on the ground that there was no village grade.

Trustee Twombly moved that the flags be laid on the grade of the street.

Trustee Downing moved as an amendment that the flags be laid in accordance with the grade furnished by Ezra W. Conklin, and indicated on the map made by him in 1887.

Trustee Wyckoff objected to the amendment, and with his reiterated objections and appeals from the decision of the chair, frittered away the time of the board.

The amendment offered by Trustee Downing was finally adopted, and Franklin street will be flagged on both sides.

Trustee Downing moved that the east side of Brenton avenue be flagged under the same conditions.

Patrick O'Rourke opposed flagging one side of the street. He wanted both sides flagged or none.

A motion made by Trustee Wyckoff, that the petition be rejected as to all streets except Franklin street, was adopted.

A petition for a fire alarm box at Fulton and Kaplan street, and a street light at Hillside avenue and Kaplan street, was referred to the fire department and lighting committee; also the report of Chief Engineer Shipley, that Distler hose company wished an alarm in its house and 500 feet of new hose.

Trustee Wyckoff called attention to posters on the bill boards in the village (women on bicycles) that he regarded as indecent, and moved that they be so considered by the board. The bill poster was ordered to take the bills down immediately.

Police Justice Faber reported collecting $37 for fines.

The proposition of Antonio Leonardi, to discontinue the action brought by him against the village for damage by water to his property on Church street, if the board would pay him $25, was accepted.

A communication was read from Counselor Monfort, stating that he could not undertake the condemnation proceedings in South street for the fee of $150 allowed by the board.

Trustee Van Allen asked that the village grade 100 feet on each side of his line on Highland avenue so as to make contemplated improvements possible. He added that he would make no charge for 1,500 yards of dirt cut from his property and used by the village. He declared that he would pave, curb and gutter if the board acceded.

On motion of Trustee Wyckoff, the matter was referred to the street committee for report.

The board held an adjourned meeting Saturday evening. Trustees Wyckoff and Mills were absent. A petition for grading Highland avenue was received. Hearing thereon is to be had at a special meeting on April 22.

The resignation of George Marshall as pound master was laid on the table.

Permission was given J. Watchel to have a flower stand at the corner of Herriman avenue and Fulton street. Philip Stroh was granted permission to erect a hydrant in front of his premises on Fulton street.

A resolution by Trustee Van Allen, that $150 be appropriated in addition to the amount already subscribed to put Chichester avenue in proper repair, was lost. President Watts declared the avenue to be in a dangerous condition, and ordered the superintendent of highways to close the street.

The bill of the Jamaica electric light company for the month of March was ordered paid in the sum of $756. Bills amounting to $1,864.27 were audited.

The proposition of Richard Evans for constructing water works and electric light plant, was referred to counsel.

President Watts was authorized to secure the opinion of counsel as to the right, if any, of the Jamaica water supply company to a renewal of its contract.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, April 12, 1895, p. 1.