They Chewed The Rag

                                          BUT LITTLE BUSINESS WAS DONE BY THE BOARD.

                                                                            _______________

                            Held a Meeting Last Night and Considered Various Sidewalks, Culverts and Streets.

A lengthy meeting of the board of public works was held last evening. The board are inclined to be careful and know what the proposed work will cost before ordering the same. They propose knowing where the city is at.
Present were President McIntyre and Messrs. Keech and Schleicher, City Attorney Norris and Street Commissioner Ross.

On motion of Mr. Keech the report of the sidewalk committee was taken up. There were three brick crosswalks to be built and the question was asked if there were any brick in the city. Street Commissioner Ross said Clarken & Clancey had a lot piled up at the depot. On motion of Mr. Keech the president and the city engineer were ordered to examine the brick and if suitable to purchase a sufficient quantity for three brick crosswalks.

Mr. Keech moved that the street commissioner take action under advice of the city attorney to put the sidewalk on S. Fifth ave. at the skating rink in proper condition. Mr. Keech explained that the creek had been turned from its former course.

Mr. Schleicher said he had examined the ground. He believed the creek had been turned back into its old channel. During the three or four years that it had run in its new channel the city had built a brick culvert across the street.

Street Commissioner Ross said: that the present condition of the creek meant that the city would have to build a culvert 8 by 10 rods away from the present one as soon as the grade was established. Mr. Keech says the sidewalk at present is in a dangerous condition Mr. Keech's motion passed.
A sidewalk was ordered built on W Washington st. from the west line of Leonard Blake's property to the east line of Dr. Herdman.

On motion of Mr. Schleicher all the sidewalks mentioned in the sidewalk committee's report were ordered repaired and built.

Mr. Keech called attention to the necessity of keeping an accurate record of all sidewalk notices served so that none would be lost track of.

The report of the sidewalk committee made at the last meeting of the council was then taken up. On motion of Mr. Keech the street commissioner was directed to make the necessary repairs on crosswalks.

On motion of Mr. Keech the sidewalk grade of W. Huron st. was referred to the city engineer.

Titus F. Hutzel said he had been ordered to put down a walk two years ago. He knew it was unpleasant for his neighbors to walk over his walk, and he was ready to build his walk as soon as the grade was established.

On motion of Mr. Keech the street commissioner was ordered to grade the sidewalk on Michigan ave. at a cost not exceeding $50.

On motion of Mr. Keech the city engineer was ordered to submit a grade for a sidewalk on Fuller st.

The street committee's report to the common council was taken up. On motion of Mr. Keech the city engineer was ordered to make an estimate on the grading and graveling of Fourth, Fifth and Washtenaw aves. He said the council had ordered the work, but they had better find out what it would cost.

The petition of George J. Mann to make connection with the sanitary sewer was referred to Mr. Schleicher and the city engineer.

The estimate of $85 for a storm sewer on Fifth ave. was recommended to the council.

On motion of Mr. Schleicher T. L. Sutter's request to repair at his own expense, his wall abutting on Allen's Creek on N. Main st, was granted, and the culvert ordered repaired at the city's expense

On motion of Mr. Schleicher the city clerk was ordered to advertise for bids for paving district No. 3, (Washington st. bids to be received up until June 1, at 6 o'clock p. m.

City Engineer Key submitted estimates for work in paving district No. 4, (Huron st,.) from Fifth ave., to Huron st. storm sewer, $2,458.10. From Ashley to Fifth ave. on Huron st, storm sewer, $1,605.45, paving cedar block $12,728.76; aspahlt, $19,175.20; brick, $15,181.21.
Graveling E. Huron st. from Fifth ave. to State st. , $540. Storm sewer on Gott st. $791 The report was received and placed on file.

On motion of Mr. Keech the board passed a resolution advising the council to put off paving Huron st. east of Main st. until next year, so as to give the trenches in the street time to settle.
Secondly, if the property owners on Huron st. between Ashley and Main sts. desired paving, that it be included in the Washington st. contract
Thirdly, that the storm sewer be extended east on Huron st. from Main to Ingalls st, the engineer's estimate being $4,063.65.

Mr. Keech said a party had come to him and said that if Huron st. was paved from Ashley to Main st. this would prevent the balance of the street being paved.
City Attorney Norris said if this block was taken out the majority of the property owners on the street between Main and State sts. would not be in favor of paving, the majority between Main and Fifth ave. would be.

Charles Clark, of Observatory st. , addressed the board.
He inquired if something could not be done towards extending E. Huron st. to Observatory st. from Fourteenth st.
If a very little work was done as a starter, the street would soon be filled up to the grade. He also wanted to ask for a grade for Observatory st. He had 3 lots he wanted to sell as soon as the grade was established. He thought there would be a drop of four feet at the intersection of Huron and Observator st. The deeds for the extension of E. Huron st. had been made out some years ago. For the extension of E. Huron st. between Thirteenth and Fourteenth sts. an appropration of $500 had been made.
There was just a block to be graded. Money was appropriated for Dewey ave. a street of which no one knew where it was.
If he belonged to the municipal club he thought he would have no trouble.

Mr. Keech said that on Dewey ave. the owner had the street graded and the contract let for the sidewalk.

Mr. Schleicher said he wanted to look over E. Huron st. On general principles he believed that parties who plated land should have their streets graded.

Street Commissioner Ross called attention to the report he heard that the contracts for the sidewalk's on Dewey ave. called for a 50-inchs walk and not five feet as prescribed by the council.

On motion of Mr. Schleicher the clerk was ordered to notify the owner, Mr. Cady, that he comply with the ordinance.

Titus F. Hutzel asked if it was not necessary for the board to take some steps in reference to their contract to build storm sewers.

On motion of Mr. Keech the city attorney was ordered to draw up a contract with Hutzel & Co., and that the same be signed by the president of the board and the city attorney.

Mr. Schleicher moved that the certified checks of the unsuccessful bidders on the storm sewers be returned as soon as the contract with Hutzel & Co. was completed.

On motion of Mr. Schleicher the bond to be given the state "by Hutzel & Co. was fixed at $10,000