Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-12-02
Ghe 6ree press.
The City Charter.
BURLINGTON
FRIDAY MORNING DECEMBER =. 1864

The City Charter.
We have room to-day only for condensed
abstract Of the Act for the Incorporation OF
the City of Burlington. Just granted by the
Legislature. Til, main features Of it are as
follows
ist The boundaries Of the city run from
the Lake up Leafs Greek 10 the >hehurne rlad;
thence north shout h-lf mile to the Nv. corner
Of 100 acre lot Ne. l65; thence Est To the east
line u Spear Street; thence North to Nnouski
turnpike where the road running i:-t 4 II. ".
Catlin's house enters the turnpike; thence north
east to the bend Of inoosEi river just below the
railroad bridges; thence following the river West
10 the Lake; from the mouth u the river foll "
ing the Lake shore TO Apuletree Point thence
South across the bay TO Relroess Point, snd
thence along the Lake shore 20 she mouth Of
Lewis Greek tie place Of beginning.
2d. All that part of the Trsseu; town OF Bur
lu-ton not iucluiei above is 90 he town by
itself. under the name Of South Burlington; the
present town officers of Burlington are to be the
officers OF South Burlington, until ncw election
is hed for which special provision IS made, after
the division The city ami town "a. ..l each have
It's representative 10 the General Assembly.
The Cily 50 bounded is to be divided into
Ar6g wards which are TO be established by the
selectmeE the legal voters in esch ward are 10
elect annually two aldermen and three comunn-
council men, q. warden. clerk and three iusgec-
tors Of election, and shall vote for mayer and e
corier
3. The SIX aldermen and nine common couu-
Ill "A
serve without pay. The Mayor is to be Presl-
dent Of the Board Of Aldermen and Of the City
Council and receives such pay as the City Coun-
ell shall vote The City Corucii are 90 appoint
the other subordinate o.acers such - Treasurer,
clerk collector, street commissioner, @. erseer
Of Tor. engineers, &c. ani shall assign their
pay. The duties Of such officers are sfeci-
fed ia tie Charter. The street commissioners
in addition To the repairs ithe streets, have the
same power 10 lay oIt and alter streets, that Sc
lectmen Of towns hare, and may assess portions
OF the co L OF Improvements on the owners ofauds
benefited thereby. and appeals from MI their
acts and decisions may be taken Go the r'r"iy
court.
.. The voters ..r- to ,5-e tlr the officers elects
ed by them. each in his ownwa ri sssess1T=
are 90 make out lists Of legal voters.
B The annual election for mayor. recorder,
LeIlNrIl Al common tflAia lllIlN4 = lN A'-
the fourth Tuesday ia May; every election shall
be by ballot, and plurality Of votes shall elect
Freemeu's meeting for the election Of ReVresen-
tative. county and State officers, sc shall be
held at the same time and manner as n towns.
=. The Recorder is TO nave al the powers of
q Justice Of the Pe8re. ana is 10 hold Police
Court AZ least cuce "a week, % have exclusive iu-
rislcti9a OF al complaints and prosecutions for
violation of City Ordinances and Bylaws. The
pay of Recorder shall be from fees and costs. TO
be limited IN amount by jhe Board Il Aldermen,
if they see fit
= The Boari u Aldermen shsl Assess on the
Grand List, Ill State. STATE School. County and
Highway Taxes, which are NOW required to he
assessed by Selectmeu; and are t. have the pow
ers Of Se,ectr7e7 in regard TO School DISTRICTS
in no other way are the rights snd powers OF
School Districts affected The Taxes for city
purposes are to be assessed 10y the City Council,
snd cannot exceed 50 cents on the doA.r, except
by vote of the citizens IN general meeting.
9 All Ordinances and r. Laws or the proper
government Of the city shall be enacted by con-
current vote II tle Aldermen aud Common Coun-
ell and the various powers and purposes
or which such ordinances may he
pissed are specified in detail
The City Council shall have power to impose
fines for violation Of such ordinances. The power
of renting fine. il lodged with the Mayor.
10. For organizing the C-ty the Selectmsn
shall call public meeting. after 80 and withiR
60 days from the passage of the Act, at which
the legal voters shall vote by ballot. flr lr against
the acceptance Of the charter; and II accepted,
the Selectmen shall Immediately divide the City
into Wards, and warn elections toE Mayor. Re
corder. and Members of City Council, the per-
sons elected shall forthwith assemble aud h
sworn into office, and Organize themselves INTO
Boards as provided.
H. After the organiTaton the Selecilnen
shall cease to have any authority except SO far
Is necessary 10 carry out duties which legally
extend through their year Of office. All debts
due by or coectable by the Town shall be
equitably divided between-he City and the town
Of South Burlington, also all funds, lanis, real
or personal estate and paupers. Such division
or assignment shall be made by the Alder
men Of the city and tbs selectmen Of South
Burlington, and if they cannot agree, eommis-
soners shall be appointed by the County Court
to make the division.
All books and papers belonging to the present
town Of Burlington shall be kept in the CIiy
Clerks Office copies Of which certified by him
shall be legal evidence.
We shall endeavor in due season 70 show
the advantages To be gained by these prov
isions.
THE BOUNDARIES.
III b.,,,,,.i.,r;as will r,roiah'v bc gener-