The special town meeting which was called last Saturday afternoon for the purpose of taking a vote of the town as to whether a town dock should be built at Byram shore was a very quiet one. No opposition was made from the floor and the resolution to build was passed with only a few dissenting votes.
About a hundred taxpayers had gathered at Ray's Hall when the meeting was called to order by Town Clerk James R. Mead. Mr. George W. Brush was elected chairman and read the notice of the call.
The following resolution was read:
Resolved, That the selectmen be any hereby are authorized to construct a dock at Byram Shore, extending 100 feet in length from the high-water mark by 50 feet in width, according to map or plan submitted to this meeting, at an expense to town not to exceed $1,000.
Judge George G. McNall then presented the plan of Mr. Milo Mead by which the dock was to be constructed. He read a letter from Mr. Mead and also a promise to the town to build the dock for $1,000. Mr. Mead's promise reads as follows:
New Lebanon, April 16, 1903.
I hereby agree with the town of Greenwich to build a dock of stone one hundred feet long and fifty feet wide, beginning at highwater mark near the burying ground at Byram Shore, for one thousand dollars, or one hundred and fifty feet long for two thousand dollars, all the out side to be two feet above ordinary tides, to be built within one year.
MILO MEAD
Judge McNall said that according to the estimate of Selectmen N.A. Knapp the dock would require some 750 cubic yards of material and fully 250 yards of masonry. Mr. Knapp he said, would not undertake the work for less than $4,500. Mr. Mead then was practically making the town a present.
Mr. McNall stated that there was about six miles of shore along Greenwich without the public dock. He thought that the town should own one at Byram Shore. He said there was a question as to who was in possession of the land there. The town claims it but if someone with a lot of money should fight it through the law they might get possession of the property and do what they wish to with it.
He said that there had been opposition to the building of the dock here by some who fear that it will become a place of noise and hubbub. But to that he made answer that although the people of East Port Chester were of many kinds and different nationalities they gave no trouble. The dock would be a sort of pleasure ground and give a chance to the people to get to the water without crossing somebody's property. The people deserve a pleasure ground he thought.
Judge McNall said he understood that Dr. Naigle wished to build across from Huckleberry Island but this could not be done without the permission of the town. He thought Mr. Naigle would be willing to pay the town something for the privilege.
Then referring to the good which Mr. Milo Mead had always done for that section of the town, he said he was willing to let the matter stand without any further talk and put the question to a vote.
A vote was called for upon the previous resolution and it was carried by a large majority. The meeting was then adjourned.
