In the Matter of Ward

The charter of the city of Brooklyn confers upon the common council the power to widen and to grade and pave the streets and avenues of the city, upon the petition of a majority of the persons owning land situated on the line of the proposed improvement.

Before acting upon the petition and directing the improvement the council is required to fix the limit or district of assessment, beyond which the assessment for the expense of the improvement shall not extend, and publish the same with a notice of the time when they "will proceed upon the petition," and unless a majority of the persons liable…