Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1897 — The City Council. [ARTICLE]

The City Council.

A cement walk was ordered along the west side of the Nowels House on Front st. The committee on bridges was directed to have erected a sidewalk bridge over Makemself, on Main and on Weston street. A survey of block 4 in South addition was ordered. J. C. Thrawls is to be employed to assist the city engineer in making the survey. The sewer committee is directed to have the weeds and rubbish and grass cleaned out of Makemself ditch. In the matter of the cement sidewalk in front of Mrs. Hopkins’ Liberal comer building, which by some means, was made 4 inches too low, a committee was appointed to confer with her. It is probable that the city will stand half the expense of a 2 foot cement platform along the front of the building. It is supposed that some unauthorized person drove the grade stakes down 4 inches, in Mrs. Hopkins’ absence, thus causing the walk to be too low. The engineer is ordered to make plans of sidewalks on Front street along T. J, Sayler and Mr. Hildebrand’s properties. Mr. Sayler has made a brick walk and Hildebrand a cement walk which are both thought to be way off the grade. It is not unlikely that both gentleman will be required to tear up and rebuild their walks. The old fire traps on the alley on the south side of the business block will have to go. The committee on fire limits reported in favor of their condemnation, and the city attorney is directed to prepare the proper resolution, for the next meeting. Everything from Bedford & Warner’s ice house to McDonald's chicken factory has to go..

The street committee is ordered to lay out the proper limits of the alley through block 16 in Newtons addition. The sum SSOO was appropriated to make the Ist of Oct. payment on the light plant purchase. Benj. Hanis showed to the council that he wanted to bqjld a cement walk along his “flat-iron” residence lot, on Front street, but that, according to the last of the numerous and always varying surveys his fence w T as three inches in the street. He was allowed to keep the three inches, and in return gives to the street 15 feet of the south apex of his triangle. Uncle Ben gets out of building 15 feet of sidewalk by this deal, and is really that much ahead.

The mayor was authorized to contract with W. H. Rooney to superintend the construction of the waterworks, at a remuneration of $5 per day. Councilmen Meyers, Robinson and Kight were appointed a special committee to have general charge of the construction of the waterworks plant.