26 Pa. Super. 273 | Pa. Super. Ct. | 1904
Opinion by
Section 3 of the Act of April 23, 1889, P. L. 44, provides that no assessment for paving, curbing or macadamizing under the provisions of the act shall be a lien on real estate for more than six months from the time of the “ completion of such work,” unless a claim for the same shall be filed in the office of the prothonotary within that time. Does this mean completion of the work in front of the property subject to the claim filed, or completion of the entire improvement authorized by the ordinance ? A consideration of the context leaves little doubt as to the correct answer to this question. The jurisdiction to charge any portion of the cost of paving, curbing or macadamizing is made dependent by the first section upon a petition of “ two thirds of the owners of property representing not less than two thirds in number of feet of the properties
The ordinance was adopted and most of the work done prior to the passage of the Act of June 4, 1901, P. L. 364, but was not entirely completed until about a month thereafter. It is suggested, but not very earnestly argued, that the case is governed by that clause of section 10 which provides that municipal claims of this character must be filed “ within six months from the time the work was done in front of the
The improvement petitioned for and ordained covered that portion of South Canal street from the east line of Wood street to the east line of Ferry street. Between these points South Canal street is intersected by Boyd street. The contract let pursuant to the ordinance covered the entire improvement. It is alleged, however, in the affidavit of defense, that the work upon the square between Wood and Boyd streets, this being the square upon which the defendant’s property is situated, was substantially completed in June, 1899; that no further work was done under that contract; that in May, 1901, the work was resumed by the same contractors, but under another contract between them and “ said borough, or the street committee of said council of said borough,” at an increased price for the'material used, and was completed on July 8,1901; moreover, that this contract was entered into without an ordinance or resolution of the borough council specially authorizing it, and without advertising for bids. The lien was filed November 4, 1901,. this being about four months after the completion of the entire improvement contemplated by the ordinance, but more than two years after the completion of the work upon the square between Wood and Boyd streets. It is to be observed that there is no allegation that this ordinance was repealed; or that any corporate action was taken indefinitely
No statute has been called to our attention which made it the duty of the borough officers to let the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, but the ordinance in question contains such provision. Therefore, while it cannot be said that they exceeded their statutory powers or violated any statutory provision, yet it cannot be denied that in entering into the second contract without attempting to get bids they failed to comply with the mandate of the ordinance. There is also the objection that they were not specially authorized by resolution or ordinance of council to enter into this contract. But the only difference between the first and second contracts that is alleged is as to the price of the materials. Unquestionably the borough had power to make that change and it is not intimated either in the affidavit of defense or in appellant’s brief that any abuse of discretion was involved in the transaction or that it was tainted with fraud, or that it was not justified by the conditions existing at the time. This being so, the principle enunciated in numerous cases is applicable, that a municipal corporation may ratify the unauthorized acts and contracts of its agents or officers, which are within the corporate powers,
Judgment affirmed.