Up the Gatineau! Article
This article was first published in Up the Gatineau! Volume 3.
Building the Town Hall at Old Chelsea
minute by minute
Elaine Bedford Theberge
It all happened a hundred years ago when conditions were quite different from what they are today. Alexander Graham Bell, the same year (1876) had just invented the telephone but Ma Bell, of course, at that time, had not spread her tentacles as she was later to do. The auto, aircraft, radio and television were practical inventions of the future. Life moved more leisurely a century ago, and it goes without saying that the dollar had considerably more purchasing power than it does today — an acre of /and could be purchased for one dollar.
The following are excerpts from the minutes of the meetings for the “Municipality of the West part of the Township of Hull, County of Ottawa, Province of Quebec — (West Hull)
Minute No. 95 Sept. 6, 1875
A motion that a committee composed of Martin Fleming, Michel 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 authorised to accept a donation of a building site for a townhall and present the same to this Council at next meeting.
(Apparently an offer of a site had been received between the passing of the two motions)
Minute No. 148 Jan. 17, 1876
It was moved that a committee composed of Councillors 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 story building and that the Secretary-Treasurer gives the necessary public notice for tenders being sent in for next general session.
An amendment moving the site be lronside was defeated.
Minute No. 157 Mar. 6, 1876
A motion that the tender now 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. Dane. (Dean).
(Ed. Dane (Dean) owned the inn where the council was temporarily holding its sessions and perhaps explains the offer of a building site)
Minute No. 161 same date
A motion that the Secretary-Treasurer be and is authorised to pay to John Chamberlain Esq. the sum of ten dollars for the plan of townhall.
Minute No. 184 Apr. 3, 1876
A motion that John Chamberlain Esq. is hereby appointed Special Officer to superintend the building of the townhall and make a report thereof and that a sum of twenty dollars will be allowed to him for said superintendence.
(Modern-day architects — how do fees compare?)
Minute No. 189 May 4, 1876
It was moved that the Mayor be authorised 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.
(The contract called for a fee of $600. One can conjecture whether the balance was paid and from whence came the one hundred dollars)
Minute No. 199 same date
A motion that a committee composed of Councillors Welsch and Crilly & 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 Township of Hull and the application signed by the Secretary-Treasurer.
Minute No. 201 same date
Still another motion that the Secretary-Treasurer be authorised to pay the sum of thirteen dollars 15/100 to Robert Kerr Esq. (the Contractor) for chairs and tables furnished 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 its “usual place" - Ed. Dane's (Dean's) but the Councillors restrained themselves only long enough to approve the minutes of the previous meeting before moving next door to their new townhall. (From plan (Jan. 17, 1876) to occupancy (June 5, 1876) — not bad going)
Minute No. 210 same date
A motion that the report of the committee appointed for building townhall is accepted and that Rob, Kerr is discharged of all obligations.
(But they weren't through with Rob. Kerr just yet)
Minute No. 211 same date
A motion that John Chamberlain Esq. be paid the sum of twenty dollars for superintending building of townhall.
Minute No. 216 same date
It was moved that the Secretary-Treasurer is authorised to pay to Rob. Kerr the sum of two dollars 90/100 for cleaning townhall and for one door latch.
Minute No. 223 same date
A further motion that John Chamberlain be ordered to make ten benches, eight feet long for the townhall, and a rack with ten hooks, and also a platform 6 1/2 x 24 feet.
Minute No. 228 July 3, 1876
A motion that the Secretary-Treasurer be authorised to pay John Chamberlain Esq. the sum of nineteen dollars for furniture of townhall as per bill handed in.
Minute No. 254 Sept. 18, 1876
A motion that Councillor Welsch be appointed to superintend the renting of the townhall and that he will be authorised to rent said place at any occasion he thinks necessary and for the amount he thinks proper.
Minute No. 261 same date (the weather must have turned cooler, and the days shorter — no daylight saving)
A motion that the Secretary-Treasurer be authorised to buy for the use of the townhall six lamps and accessories, one stove 2 ft., 9 inches or 3 feet (a little bigger for more heat) and stove pipes & accessories.
Minute No. ——— Oct. 16, 1876
A final motion that the Secretary-Treasurer is authorised to pay the sum of $25 for furniture for townhall.
(With all those furnishings, plus a platform and stove did they ever wonder if they'd built a large enough townhall — and what did they do about washroom facilities?)
Researched and written by Patrick M. O. Evans