1925 private laws – Ch.2 Sec.14

Franchises. The right of control, easement, user, and the ownership and title to the streets, highways, and public thoroughfares and property of the town of Forest City, its avenues, parks, bridges, and all other places and property are hereby declared to be inalienable, except by ordinance duly passed by a majority of all the members of the board of commissioners and approved by the mayor: Provided, that whenever application is made for any grant or franchise, lease, right, or privilege, in or to the streets and public thoroughfares of the town, the same shall be submitted in writing and shall be recorded by the town clerk on his minutes, and shall be tabled for the period of thirty days before the same is granted by the town board, and no franchise shall be granted for more than thirty years without first submitting the question to the qualified voters of the town. The board of commissioners shall have the right to submit any application made for a franchise to the qualified voters of the town, if they should deem it best so to do before granting the same. 2 No exclusive franchise shall be granted by the board of commissioners for any purpose whatever,and all franchises granted by the commissioners shall contain a provision therein that a like franchise may be granted to any other person applying for the same at the option of the commissioners for said town. 3 The board of commissioners shall have the right to require all persons, firms, or corporations holding a franchise from the said town to make such report and statements as they may deem proper.