Page 124 - index

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MUNICIPAL LAW. 121

three-fourths of the owners of the lands to be benetited by the acciuisitiou
of such works, representin<>- at least two-thirds in value thereof, purchase
the same at r. price fixed hy arbitration, and raise the purchase money by
assessment upon tlie real property benefited thei'oby.
aHi- Paying Half the Cost of Bridges. Tlie Council may, by a
two-thirds vote thereof, declare tliat the construction of a certain
bridge, culvert or embankment benefits tlie municipality at large, and
would not be equitable to raise the wiiole cost by local assessment, and the
Council may, in such case, pass a by-law for borrowinj^ tiie money, by the
issue of debentures upon the credit of the municipality at large, and pay
on(,'-half the cost of such improvements.
Such by-law does not need the assent of the electors.
rtVi- Sidewalks Built by Private Owners. The Council nuiy
permit ownevs of lands to build or improve sidewalks in front of their
lands according to the plans and regulations prescribed by the Council,
and as long as such walks are kept in the same state of repair as other
walks, they shall be exempt from taxes for improvements of like nature.
aill- Plank Sidewalks. Councils of cities and towns may, by a
two-thirds vote of memliers present at any regular meeting, deciding it to
be in the public interest, lay down a plank sidewalk without petition or
notice, and assess the properties abutting thereon for the cost of the same.
.'514. Granolithic Sidewalks. Councils of cities and towns which
have not adopted the local improveujent system for sidewalks, may pass a
by-law to advance from the general funds or borrow on debentures forty
per cent, of the cost for the construction of ghmolithic, stone, asphalt or
brick sidewalks upon the leading streets of the mimicipality, in addition
to the part of the cost to be proviiled by the municipality, and issue
debentures for such total amounts. The assent of the electors to such
by-law is not necessary, but it must be passed by a three-fourths vote of
the niembei"s of the Council.
The remaining part of tlie cost will be levied upon the property
benefited.
515. Street Intersections. Tlie Council may also by by-law
provide that the cost of local improvements opposite street intersections,
or exempt properties, may be charged on general rates or taxes for the
year. Such by-law need not be submitted to the electors for approval.
510. Exemptions from General Rates. Any real property assessed
for a local improvement work shall be exempt by the Council from
a general rate for the same purpose, except for the cost of works at street
intersections, and to meet the cost of works opposite property which is
exempt from such special assessment. i
Exemptions may be allowed for a specified period petitioned for by
two-thirds in number of the owners of property abutting on streets having
the local improvement work done, and agreed to by the Council, or the
time may be fixed by a sole arbitrator which shall be named by the County
Judge in ease the Council and the petitioners cannot agree. When ownera