Low Down Articles
Echoes from the Past
Article 9 of 111
This article first appeared in the "Echoes from the Past" column of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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Building the Town Hall at Old Chelsea - Minute by Minute
The following article was written by me, with slight differences, some fifteen years ago. Although the building has always been termed a Town Hall, it was, strictly speaking, a Municipal Hall. The venerable structure was moved to a Hendrick farm some time in the 1980's, having stood on the same site for more than a century. It is still serving, if not humanity, then animal husbandry, for it is now a hay barn.
As one drives up A5 and prepares to leave that autoroute at the Chelsea Road exit, the building is on the right, partially hidden by a larger structure. The space once occupied by the hall is now the patio of the Chelseas Restaurant.
The reason why construction was minute by minute will soon become obvious.
MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Minute No. 95, Sept. 6, 1875
A motion that a committee composed of Martin Fleming, Michael Burke and Jos. Nadon take the necessary steps to secure the site of a townhall and make a report to this Council after enquiry.
Minute No. 96, same date
A motion that the committee appointed by the previous motion be authorized to accept a donation of a building site for a townhall and present the same to this Council and the next meeting. (Apparently an offer of a site had been received between the passing of the two motions. The offer came from Ed. Dean, in whose hotel the Council held its meetings. The lot chosen was adjacent to the Dean stopping place. The hotel is now the Chelseas Restaurant and it's patio the hall's former site.)
Minute No. 148, Jan 17, 1876.
It was moved that a committee composed of Council's Nadon and Welsch take the necessary steps to provide for and accept a plan for the building of a townhall in Upper Chelsea (Old Chelsea), of the size of 36 x 24 feet, one storey building and that the SecretaryTreasurer gives the necessary public notice for tenders being sent in to the next general session.
An amendment moving the site be Ironside was defeated.
Minute No. 157, Mar. 6, 1876
A motion that the tender before this Council from Robert Kerr for the building of a townhall in Upper Chelsea be and is hereby accepted. Said tender for the amount of Six hundred dollars, and that His Worship the Mayor will sign an engagement as soon as the deed for the building site is given by Ed. Dean.
Minute No. 161, same date
A motion that the Secretary-Treasurer be and is authorized to pay to John Chamberlin Esq. the sum of ten dollars for the plan of the townhall.
Minute No. 184 Apr 3, 1876
A motion that John Chamberlin Esq. is hereby appointed Special Officer to Superintend the building of the townhall and make report thereof and that the sum of twenty dollars will be allowed to him for said superintendance.
Minute No. 189 May 4, 1876
It was moved that the Mayor be authorized to pay out of the Seignorial indemnity the sum of five hundred dollars for the building of the townhall as soon as said building is completed and accepted by the Council.
Minute No. 199 same date
A motion that a committee of Councillor Welsch and Crilly and His Worship the Mayor be and is hereby appointed to receive the report of Special officer John Chamberlain, appointed to superintend the building of the townhall and to accept said building if they think it fit and proper, and discharge the Contractor of any further obligation.
Minute No. 200 same date
Another motion that the townhall be insured in the National Insurance Co. for the amount of six hundred dollars, that said insurance be taken out in the name of the Municipal Council of the West Part of the Tlownship of Hull and the application signed by the Secretary-Treasurer.
Minute No. 201 same date
Still another motions that the Secretary-Treasurer be authorized to pay the sum of thirteen dollars 15/100 to Robert Kerr Esqr (the Contractor) for chairs and tables for the townhall.
Minute No. 206 June 5, 1876
Moved by Councillor Welsch, seconded by Councillor Crilly that the Council adjourn its present session to the townhall.
(The Council had its meeting called to order in "usual place" Ed Dean's, but the Councillors restrained themselves only long enough to approve the minutes of the previous meeting before moving next door to their townhall.)
(From plan Jan 17 to occupancy June 5 - not bad going!)