Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-12-07
Village Meeting.

That IL was cut and dried " affair is not
charge which can lie against the annual village
meeting Monday evening. The meeting was very
largely attended. rivaling a town meeting in point
OF size and interest It was evident that "some-
thing was up " but just what that something"
might be was not quite certain, and it was even
less clear after the meeting had adjourned
whether or not any special project beyond the
election Of an exceptionally strong and worthy
board OF bailifs had been carried through. Hi
ram A. Huse was elected moderator and James T.
Sabin clerk. All intervening articles In the
warning were then passed over and the eighth con-
corning reports Of village officers, was then taken
up. Nearly two hours were used up in discussing
the action ofthe bailffs In buryng at the expense
OF one dollar TO the village certain dead horse the
removing at the cost OF few dollars of certain
garbage that was polluting the air last summer,
and the building OF an inexpensive drain to carry
away from the open street gutter certain noxious
sewage,-all of which had been the subject OF re-
peated complaint as nuisances, and which were
abated by the bailffs In the absence OF other re-
sponsible agents, in the interest Of the public
health The better sentiment OF the meeting as
expressed by General Pitkn evidently approved
the course OF the bailiffs. Returning to the cleo
ton OF officers, discussion OF the condition and
needs of the fire department was had pending the
nomination Of General p 2. Ptkin for first fire
warden, position involving the headship of the
fire department. General Pitkin explained the
wants OF the department in the matter of hose in
particular and accompanied his statement with
suggestions in which he exhibited the sound, prac-
tical "horse-sense for which he Is distinguished.
lie declined peremptorily to serve longer in de-
partment which was practically destitute of the
means of rendering efficient and honorable SER
vice. Notwithstanding his declinaton he was re-
elected by hearty and unanimous vote, which
conveyed an assurance that his suggestions as to
placing the fire department on an efficient footing
would not pass unheeded. The remaining
wardens, L. Bart Cross, George A. Peck, c. A.
Reed and Joel Foster Jr., were unanimously
reelected. motion to raise committee of one
from each ward to nominate a board of baiffs
was withdrawn, and the more democratic method
OF nomination in open meeting adopted. A. G.
Dewey and j. B. Morse were put in nomination
for bailff in the first ward. Pending the TAX
ing OF the ballot, J. w. Ellis was nominated and
elected by reclamation for the second ward, and
ii. A. Huse was reelected for the third ward.
Fred e. Pitkin and S. c. Shurtleff were placed in
nomination for the fourth ward and pending the
ballot ii. w. Drew was reelected In spite of his
declinaton, to serve for the fifth ward. The bal
lettings resulted in the election Of j. b Morse for
the first and S. c. Shurtleff for the fourth ward.
f. M. Irish was chosen collector and J. c. Hough-
ton treasurer. Engine companies No. and No.
o, and the hook and ladder company,were duly or
ganized. To pay of the village debt and provide
for the current expenses for the year ensuing, a
tax OF fifteen cents on the dollar of grand list
OF S32 900 was voted and made payable into the
treasury on or before February LIST, 1882, and the
treasurer was authorized to borrow a sum not ex-
ceeding $1,000 to meet incoming liabilities before
the collection OF the tax voted On motion OF
Hiram Atkins the baiifs elect were instruc ted to
put the fire department on an efficient footing,
upon consultation with the wardens The sum
OF $50 was appropriated for the observance Of
decoration day in 1882, and thereupon the meet
ing adjourned sine die.