Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-05-19
The Village Meeting.


The Village Meeting.
ESTABLISHMENT or FIRE LIMITS.
The meeting Of the voters Of Montpelier village,
to consider the subjects Of the establishment Of
fire limits and water works was held in Village
Hall last evening, pursuant to the bailiifs' warn
ing There was large attendance Of all classes
and great deal Of interest was manifested in the
subjects although less debate took place than
might have been expected.
The assemblage was called to order by Mr.
James I. sabin, the village clerk, who then read
the warning
on motion Of Samuel NJ. Walton, Mr. James T.
Thurston was elected moderator, and assumed the
duties Of the position.
BY the moderator's request, the clerk read the
first article Of the warning, which was in relation
To the establishment Of fire limits
The Hon T. 7. Walton inquired if the baiiifs
had drawn up any plan for the consideration Of
the meeting
General James 5 Peck one Of the bailiffs, re-
piled that they had not feeling it was not their
prov nce to dictate to the meeting.
The Hon. Charles II. Heath said, that having
had some occasion To look the matter up, and
having consulted copies Of the regulations which
had been established Ia other place., he had
drawn up the following resolutions, which he
trusted would receive the favorable opinion Of
the meeting.
Rs,oired That The following be- and hereby are made
tSlioS,; % '''' '''''s' '''''
Ing with wooden covering for uof, with wuoden outside
malls. except ~ hereinafter proyide IN he following limits.
that is b say The space enclosed within ie line herein de-
scribe. y,mnene1g At We centte OF mon bridge thence
parallel To the center line OF Main street, 70 he wiaoos
Themes notherly centre line Of said avenue to state
,rst 9nq ihs19s nghel 90 We sang ne 70 oia
line parallel To the centre line OF san state street 10 hn
North branch. 10 place Of beginniug Provided, however
e eaa, NAY upon poer Sp,;S , and afsgf ng ,
cnses TO any rron q persons % build 9nesoTy wooden
regulations said baiin, may order and direct, and there
uIon such per;n Or l,rsons may bad as af9rs.nL
the last aforesaid bylaw by any action, suit pros
ecuton.
Mr. \. c. Bacon objected to the passage Of the
resolutions on the ground that it would result in
the oppression Of poor men, who had not money
enough to build expensive buildings lie argued
that every man had a right to consult his own
taste aud judgment as regarded buildings, and no
one was justified in forbidding him to do this or
that, unless he maintained nuisance lie also
doubted the legality Of the course proposed
General James ). Peck said that they had con-
suited good many lawyers on the subject, and
while their opinions were divided, yet the weight
OF authority was in favor Of the validity OF the
proposed action. He said also that it was very
easy to test the legal question II the resolutions
should be passed, for there was a judge Of the
supreme court residing in town, IN whom an
injunction could be applied for, and an appeal
from him could be argued in August. SO no time
need be lost in disposing OF the question.
Mr. l.. l.. Durant joined with Mr. Bacon in OPP
posing the passage Of the resolutions and gave the
meetin. his professional opinion that they were
good for nothing in law. He moved to dismiss
the resolutions.
The Hon. Charles II. Heath explained the objects
OF the resolutions claimed that they were not OPP
pressiye, but simply such public safety required.
The motion to dismiss was lost.
Mr.. c. J. Gleason asked under what sections OF
the village charter or bylaws the authority was
given to take the action contemplated.
The Hon. G. II. Heath quoted from sections two
and nine Of the act Of incorporation, and argued
that the power was contained in them.
At this point, Mr.. Thurston yielded his chair to
the Hon. Whitman G. Perrin, who presided the
rest of the evening.
Capt A. A. Sweet moved the reference of the
whole matter TO a committee, which should repor,
at some future meeting.
Messrs. G. J. Gleason and James G. French sup
ported Capt Sweets motion, and 1t was lost by a
small majority.
Col. A. c. Brown offered an amendment TO tn,
resolutions, which MIR. Heath accepted, which ex
| tended the limits so as 10 make them include tn,
easterly side Of Elm street TO the center Of tn,
Union House bridge,
The moderator, notwithstanding Mr. Heatli's ae
ceptance, put the amendment to vote, and It wa,
adopted.
The resolutions, as amended, were then adopted
The clerk read the second artclein the warrant
relating to getting supply Of water
Mr. ]. NJ, Poland said that, by request, he Of
fered resolution looking to obtaining water frou
Doten's or from Berlin pond. The resolution wa,
passed up and read 1t limited the cost TO $40 600
Mr. Samuel Wells moved the appointment Of q
committee to investigate the matter. lie favored
a system Of water-works Of some kind and sait
that, as prices were much lower now than When
the old eommittee-of which he was member
investigated some two years ago, he believed thai
now system Of water-works connecting with Berlin
pond could be constructed for less than $40, 600
| Quite lately he had received an offer from the
same firm who asked some $4,000 for pipe two
years ago. to furnish It now 81, 500 less.
The Hon John A. Page opposed any such ex
pensiyc system Of works, and said that tho est
mates were far too low lie claimed that Mont
peller had plenty of water In her midst; that dur
ing the late fires 1t was power that was lacking,
not water, lie advocated the establishment OF
force-pumps at the dam near Bailey's grist-mill,
and at the works OF the Lane Manufacturing Com
pany. 1t could be done at a small expense, aud
any fire could be easily controlled
Captain A. A. Sweet took the same ground as
Mr.. Page.
Mr. Page said that Mr. Bailey had just offered
to give room in his MILL and power to operate a
force-pump OF any size the village might choose to
procure. lie moved the dismissal Of the resolu-
| ton.
The motion was carried by unanimous vote.
] The meeting was then adjourned.