1874-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 result of their inquiries to the Town, as early as convenient." And Chiles Hudson, David A. Tuttle, and Oliver P. Mills, were chosen as said Committee. This Committee caused surveys to be made, and levels to be taken from the different points in the highways com- plained of; by which they learned that from a low place in the road near Mr; Blinn's to Vine Brook, was about 1500 feet, and the fall about 11 feet; and that from the same point in the road to an open ditch in the north meadow, the distance was about 550 feet, with a bill of about 6i feet. This latter route was recommended by the Committee, and ap- proved by the town ; and the experience of one very unfavorable winter, has shown the complete success of this drainage. In making these examinations, the Committee made, as they were instructed, :i cursory examination of the meadows which surround the village ; and found that they could easily be drained by deepening the channels of the streams, es- pecially at the outlet of .the tneadows ; and by enlarging and lowering the culverts across the 1-Iighways. The Committee recommended to the towti, the draining of both meadows, on the ground that it would naturally tend to the health of the place, greatly improve the meadows -themselves, and render suitable for building purposes, a broad belt of land on the margin of these meadows near the village, which is now too wet for dwelling houses. The Committee also pre- sented for the consideration of the citizens, the plan of re- imbursement—the town on public consideration, should pay for enlarging the culverts in the Ilighways, and the land owners should pay for the expenditure in the meadows on the betterment principle. When this Report cane before the Town, the suggestions of the Committee were adopted without hesitation, and a vote was passed, "That the Selectmen be direeted to peti- tion the Legislature for authority to drain the meadows on each side of the village, by lowering the channel of Vine Brook, and the stream emptying into the Shawshine, agree-