The Public Business

New York, 1895

THE TOWN BOARD MEETS A COMMITTEE FROM HEMPSTEAD.

Proposed Joint Action on a New Oyster Planting Bill — Brooklyn Hills Lights — The Cost of Removing Snow from the Highways.

The town board of Jamaica held a meeting at the Town Hall on Friday. Supervisor Everitt presided. Justices Wallace, Smith and Seaman, of Hempstead, came before the board in the matter of introducing a bill in the Legislature relative to oyster planting in Hempstead and Jamaica bays. The bill as drawn was read section by section and a number of amendments were made. Justice Wallace remarked that Senator Childs' bill requires all the oyster lands to be surveyed, which of itself should kill the bill, as the cost would be ruinous. Three fourths of the bill applied to Hempstead and Jamaica.

Assemblyman Vacheron, who is looking for chances to run counter to Mr. Childs, said he would introduce the bill with the amendments.

Assemblyman Vacheron said he thought it a good time to speak of the bill to appoint three commissioners of arrears of taxes. He objected to the bill for the reason that taxes are so high that the people are finding fault. The whole business provided for in the bill could be done by the respective town boards at a much less expense. The bill has been changed as to the commission. "I do not blame the boys for trying to get in, but I am not there for that purpose. It is a job, to make places for politicians and nothing else."

Counselor Van Vechten presented a communication saying that the commission appointed to appraise the value of land to be taken for Town Hall purposes had made their awards. Counsel was instructed to ask for the confirmation of the awards.

On motion of Justice Lott, the New York and New Jersey globe gas light company, who were given the contract to light Brooklyn Hills, were instructed to erect the lamps in the places indicated by the lighting committee.

On motion of Justice Lester, the Town Clerk was directed to ascertain from the County Treasurer the amount due to the town of Jamaica for arrears of taxes.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, March 8, 1895, p. 8.