C.W.A. Sidewalk Agreement, State Highway Department Letter, and Highway Right-of-Way Resolution (N.R.M. 167)

Synopsis

A group of four pages from early 1934 documenting Wedowee's dealings with New Deal and state road agencies. The first is an unsigned typed agreement dated January 8, 1934, in which the Mayor and Council of Wedowee pledge to T. C. Hubbard, Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) Administrator for Randolph County, that the town will finish the C.W.A. sidewalk project itself if federal funds are cut off before February 15, 1934. The second is a March 30, 1934 letter from William Herzberg, Division Engineer of the State Highway Department in Birmingham, to Town Clerk J. E. Perry, sending paving plans for U.S. Public Works Project N.R.H. 167 through Wedowee and asking the council to pass an ordinance establishing the grade. The last two pages are a printed-form resolution, filled in by hand, in which the town agrees not to allow encroachments, conflicting speed limits, or local-preference signals on Main Street so the highway could receive federal aid; it is certified as passed January 31 and signed by the mayor. While not about water directly, these records show the street and highway work that shaped the town's layout and right-of-way during the same years it sought a waterworks loan.

Key facts

• Agreement dated January 8, 1934, with T. C. Hubbard, C.W.A. Administrator for Randolph County
• C.W.A. funds expected to be cut off February 15, 1934; town pledges to finish sidewalks
• State Highway Department letter of March 30, 1934 concerns U.S. Public Works Project N.R.H. 167
• Town asked to pass an ordinance establishing street grade before paving could begin
• Resolution routes highway 'N.R.M. 167 Ext.' over Main Street and bars encroachments on the right of way

Wedowee Alabama , Jan. 8th , 1934.
AN AGREEMENT .
We the Mayor and Council of the town of Wedowee Alabama, Randolph Co., as parties of the first part, hereby agree with T.C. Hubbard C.W.A. Administrator of Randolph County, Alabama, as party of the second part, that we will complete the project of constructing sidewalks in the town of Wedowee, Alabama, as now agreed upon to be constructed by the said C.W.A. in event that the said party of the second part is prevented from completeing the construction of said side walks by the 15-th day of February 1934, on account of funds being cut off at that date .
This the 8th day of Jan. 1934.
[signature lines: Mayor; Counc.; "; "; "]

[Letter] STATE OF ALABAMA / HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT / SECOND DIVISION / OFFICE OF DIVISION ENGINEER / 916 MARTIN BLDG. / BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
March 30, 1934
Mr. J. E. Perry, Town Clerk, Wedowee, Alabama.
U.S. Public Works Project Re: N.R.H. 167, Randolph County.
Dear Sir:
We are sending you under separate cover today a set of plans showing the proposed paving work to be done through the town of Wedowee.
It is requested that you have the Town Council pass an ordinance establishing a grade as shown on these plans and as soon as same is passed, please send us certified copy of same as work cannot start until we have this.
Very truly yours,
Wm Herzberg
William Herzberg, Division Engineer.

[Resolution] RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Alabama State Highway Department is desirous of constructing [N.R.M. 167 Ext.], through [Wedowee], and is desirous of routing the traffic from said highway through the town of ____ over [Main] street [...]
This is to certify that the above resolution was adopted and passed at a special meeting of the City Council on [Jan. 31], 193[4].
[signature] Mayor of the Town of ____, Alabama.

Physical description

Agreement and resolution on browned, toned paper with staple holes at top; agreement is unsigned with faint typing. Highway Department letter on engraved letterhead with the state seal, signed in ink, with fold lines. Resolution is a printed form completed in blue ink.

Reading notes

The mayor's signature on the resolution is hard to read. The year of the resolution's passage is written over a printed '193_' and appears to read 1934, but it could be 1935. These pages may be separate documents filed together.