Thursday, August 9, 1906, Vol. 29, No. 6 | The Liberal (Richmond Hill) | Page 1, col. 3 |
To widen Centre Street
A meeting of the Village Council was held Tuesday evening. The meeting was called principally for the purpose of considering the advisability of widening Centre St. east from Church St. to the James Bay railway.
All members of the Council were present, as well as a large number of ratepayers.
Reeve Crosby have a statement as to what was proposed to be done. Centre Street calls for a width of 33 feet, and it was proposed to widen it by securing 10 feet more on the south side of the street. The reeve stated that W. H. Pugsley had offered to sell a strip along the front of his property, 80 rods long and 10 feet deep, equal to about 50 square rods for $50, the Council to erect a wire fence. A. Moodie would sell about 7 1/2 rods, and erect his own fence, for $50. W. Sheppard would sell his front, about 3 square rods for $50, and put up a fence. Councillor Sanderson was prepared to say that a strip owned by the Methodist Church could be purchased at a reasonable rate, and R. Durham would sell his at as fair a rate as the other property owners.
The ratepayers present who expressed themselves on the subject under consideration were John Palmer, P. G. Savage, D. Hill, J. Switzer, W. Pugsley and T. F. McMahon. While one or two through that the road if properly drained might be wide enough at present, yet all agreed that as Centre St. east was likely to be the leading business road in the village it would be advisable to widen it and put it in good condition for traffic if land can be purchased at a reasonable price. Also that whatever is proposed to be done should be done as speedily as possible.
Councillor Nicholls said that personally he was of the opinion that a widening of the street was not necessary, but as the ratepayers generally took a different view he was willing to bow to the will of the majority.
Mr. Pugsley's offer was considered to be reasonable, but the option of some of the others was scarcely satisfactory. A resolution was therefore passed unanimously appointing the council a committee of the whole to further interview the property owners with a view of purchasing the required land on the basis offered by Mr. Pugsley.
The land can be expropriated, and settled by arbitration, but it is hoped such a source will not be necessary.
Railways: J.B.Ry.
Stations: Richmond Hill