Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1897 — The City Council. [ARTICLE]

The City Council.

Monday night’s session of the City Council was largely to sewer matters and the disposal of claims. The old River street trouble loomed up again in the shape of a petition for a re-survey of block 3, in South Addition. Referred to Street Committee. The local board of underwriters petition for an inspectionof the row of old wooden buildings along the alley, back of the business houses on the south side of Washington street. They want these old fire traps condemned and removed, which ought to be done. Mrs. Matie Hopkins wants damages for the action of the council in building her cement sidewalk 4 or 5 inches too lowThe trouble broke out again over the “devil's lane" or two foot strip of land between Harvey's addition and Robinson’s continuation of South addition. The committee reported in favor of condemning the whole strip. No conclusion was arrived at. The engineer presented plans for

sidewalk bridges over Makemself for Weston and Main street, to permit permanent sidewalks. Plum, Cullen and Rutson street sewers were reported completed. Also the relaying of Main street sewer. ' The city health officer is directed to investigate the objectionable odor that is alleged to proceed from the too peaceful waters of Makemself ditch. Several sidewalks ordered last fall have not yet been built, and the Marshal is ordered to give 5 days’ notice and if they are not underway at the end of that time, the city will build them and charge the cost to the property.