Charter Amendments

The following communication to the Courier gives the view taken by the Ann Arbor town residents, against the passage by the legislature of the proposed charter amendments now pending: Editor Courikr: - I wish to say a few words through your paper on the proposed annexation of Ann Arbor town territory to the city of Ann Arbor. To commence with, Ann Arbor township at present covers but a small territory, the city already taking out three entire sections of land. Aside from two bridges across Mallet Creek and several suiall bridges andculverts at other points, Ann Arbor township is obliged to maintain four bridges over the Huron river. Now these same bridges are used principally to bring trade to Ann Arbor city. Then in some sections of the town the highways lead over hills that make the maintaining of them such a burden upon the people of the road district that the township is obliged to assume the expense. On what is known as the Dixboro hills $200 was spent by the township in graveling, grading and repairing. In 1870 these same hills cost the township $300. On another hill on the town line $500 has been expended. Since 1871 we have expended upon cross roads and bridges from $700 to $3,000 per year cuide rom the dutrict road tax. The attention of the fair minded people of the city is especially called to this fact. Now it is proposed by these charter amendments to take away about onesixth of our assessable property, so it will not be a difficult task to figure out the injury to us. We have always endeavord to live neighborly, and have exerted ourselves to keep up good roads, which naturally helps the city in the way of trade. Nearly all of this territory which it is proposed to take from us is and has been for many years in the city school district, and has paid many thousands of dollars into the city treasury for the support of its schoola. Another thing, the land it is proposed to take from us is all farming land, and used for farming purposes only, excepting a short distance on W. Huron st. On that street there are nine houses which stand on lots 4x8 rods. In traveling a distance of 80 rods six houses will be found on this street which have been built withinthe past ten years, and which the city now proposes to take in. On the south side of the city are eight acres laid out and used for park purposes. On Baldwin's addition on the east city liue there are eleven houses all told on land that ranges in size from a city lot to six acres. Along Miller ave. there are three houses only and they have farms connected with them, ranging from five to thirty acres each, and the houses have been built over 25 years to the best of my knowledge. Going farther north we have sne house on two acres, one on 20 acres, and one on 40 acres. On W. Liberty st. there are eight houses on the street, and one is a tenant house on a farm of over 100 acres, which it is proposed to take from us. On the south the proposed annexation takes in farming lands entirely, with the exception of the eight acre park referred to above. A 40 acre tract, ever, has been purehased recently and platted, and one new house built thereon. On the east but one new house has been erected within the past five years, and one house was burned down five years ago and has never been rebuilt. Nearly all of the platted land in tlris proposed extensión has been platted 20 years or more, and is still used for farining purposes. Let us look into the city Corporation and see what has been done for the improvemeut of land already in. But right liere I wish to say in all candor and earnestness that I do not find fault with the city, for I honestly believe that all aas been done for street improvement that it has been possible to do, but the city cannot take care of all the streets it already has. On the west side of the city, from the north end of Spring st. along Chubb st. to the city line there is one sulitary house upon the south side of the street, and on the north side two houses, notwithstanding the land is well adapted for building purpose, high and dry. At little distance south of this we find the Gott addition, which is to be sold at auction, 126 lots, and there is still more unoccupied land in tliis same addition. "We will now go on Wines st from Huron to Liberty st., a street which was laid outfiveyears ago, and on which you cannot drive a horse, but on which there are many nice building lots with signs up reading: "For Sale." None sold. On the west the city will gain the water works reservoir and its appurtenances which are assessed $35,000. The city already has an assessment of $50,000 on the water works, the township generously conceding a división of this property upon the assessmentroll, which was a neighborly act toward the city, as under the law we liad a perfect right to assess the entire plant. About threefourths of a mile west and north of the city line there were found some beautiful springs of water coming out of the surrounding bilis. Here a receiving basin and a pumping house was built to pump this water into the reservoir mentioned above. These works the township has assessed at $15,000. Upon the south within the city limits, there can be found plenty of farm and wood lots ranging from ten to 20 acre tracts. I have been told by citizens of Ann Arbor that they were opposed to the aunexation scheme, for it would cost the Corporation $3 for every dollar's worth of property secured from the township. There is to-day within the city limits, not including the fair grounds or campus, over 1,800 acres of land for a population of 9,505. "There is to-day south of the Huron river $300,000 worth of unoccupied land," said an alderman of the city. Does not that look as though there was sufficient vacant land for the city to spread out in for a time yet ? In the course of ten or iifteen years Ann Arbor city may need this extensión, but at present it is unnecessary and a great injustice and hardship for the people of the township. Fred. B. Braun. And now for some of the city arguments as Mayor Manly, President Howlett and City Attorney Kearney presenta them. The property which it is proposed to take is nearly all platted and is needed for the city's gradual growth. The boundary liuiits of the city have never been extended since its incorporation, although the city has grown constantly, and now tliat rapid transit has been ntroduced the growth will bemore than ever upon the outskirts. The people upon west Huron street and upon the south and east of the city lirnits already have the benefit of the city's improvements, electric lights, water works, and even the flre department, without sharing the burden of these modern necessities. They should come into the Corporation and help bear the burdens. The water works reservoir, receiving basin and pumping works ought to be in the Corporation and onder the jurisdiction of the city authorities so that any misdemeanors may be punishable under the city laws, and not amenable to the dilatory andoft-times defectivo laws governing transgressions in the townehip. The assessineut of $50,000 levied upon the water works by the township is unjust, because these works aro entiiely a city enterprise and their entire income comes out of the pocketsof the city pie. Under the present status every citizen of this city who takes city water has to help pay the taxes oí Ann Arbor town. The property proposed to he annexed is already in the school district, so that the additional burden would notbe very great in taxation for the new corners. Ann Arbor already sustains three bridges across the Huron river for the benefit of the people who desire to come to town to dispose of their producís and transact business, and by this extensión will add one other bridge thus relieving Ann Arbor town of that mucli. The eqiialized valuation of Ann Arbor town will be reduced by as much and undoubtedly more than is taken from her. The new amendments provide for the paying of salaries to city officials who do the work. As no private individual can hire people to work for nothing so no Corporation ought to expect to accomplish that act. There are other argumenta also used but these will probablysuffice.