VILLAGE ROADS TO BE PLACED IN THE COUNTY SYSTEM.

New York, 1895

THE PUBLIC BUSINESS

Crosswalks Ordered Laid and a Street Grading Resolution Adopted — Town Board Preparing to Improve the Annexed Land — Nuisances at the West End of the Town — Village Health Board Meeting.

The village trustees held their regular monthly meeting Thursday evening. President Charles E. Twombly presided.

Chief Shipley, of the fire department, said that if the trustees would borrow the money to build the new house, for Woodhull hose company, the company would pay the interest until it was raised by tax in January.

On motion of Trustee Van Allen, the chief was directed to bring in at the next meeting plans and specifications for the new house for the board's approval. President Twombly reported that Counselor Monfort had informed him that he would give the board an opinion as to the Jamaica water company about the middle of June.

A communication from the village board of health, recommending the appointment of an official garbage gatherer, was referred to the street committee. The application of Richard W. Rhodes, to use a cesspool on Shelton avenue, for which he agreed to pay $30 per year, was denied.

A petition from the trustees of St. Monica's church on Washington street, to have an electric light placed in front of the church, was referred to the committee on public lighting.

The following resolution, offered by Trustee Wyckoff, was adopted:

Resolved, That the board of Supervisors be hereby requested to designate as county roads for the purpose of maintenance only the following named streets and highways in the village of Jamaica: Flushing avenue from Fulton street to the village line north; Rockaway road from Fulton street South to the village line; Liberty avenue to Broadway; Broadway to the westerly village line; Smith street and the Merrick road from Fulton street south to the village line, all of which are continuations or extensions of highways now maintained as county roads.

A petition from the Jamaica Heights improvement company, to have the streets on their property kept in order and water mains laid, was referred back, as no map accompanied it.

Thursday, June 20, was fixed as the time for hearing parties for and against the petition to have the sidewalks on North Washington street from Fulton to Grove street, Grove street to Herriman avenue, and Herriman avenue to Shelton avenue, flagged.

Crosswalks were ordered to be laid on Fulton street, to connect east side of Smith street with the east side of Bergen avenue, and on Bergen avenue at North First street.

On motion of Trustee Wyckoff, the matter of grading the west end of Chichester avenue was referred to the street committee, with power, to spend a sum not to exceed $350.

The committee on meeting room for the board was empowered to receive bids for fitting up a room in the old Trustees' Hall, and award the contract to the lowest bidder.

Chief Shipley was directed to place two men on duty at each of the engine houses on July 4th. He was also empowered to hire a horse and carriage for the day to carry himself and assistant to and from the several houses.

On motion of Trustee White, it was ordered that the village church bells be rung at sunrise and sunset on July 4.

Trustee Wyckoff, of the grade committee, reported that the committee, after looking over the ground and consulting several engineers, had found that a grade map for the village was an absolute necessity. he offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the report of the grade committee be adopted; that the board declares that a grade map is a necessity, and the committee is hereby empowered to prepare a full report of the work to be done, with probable cost, and report at the next meeting of the board.

The matter of procuring a place for a public pound was referred to the police committee, with power.

A communication was read from William Smith, agent for the South Side Park, complaining of the condition the Long Island electric railway contractor left South street. Mr. Smith declared that the grade had been utterly disregarded, and that travel on the street in its present condition was dangerous. The communication was referred to the street committee.

Trustee Carter introduced the question of a uniformed police service, and moved the board appoint John Fogarty a special policeman, to wear a uniform provided by himself, at a monthly salary of $35.

No action was taken.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 14, 1895, p. 8.