Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-07-23
A LIVELY CITY MEETING.
MUCH TALK INDUCED IN BUT NO
MONEY VOTED.
Resolutions for Improved Water Works
and the soldiers Monument Rejected
Those Favoring the Hose House
Beat Themselves.

The city meeting called for the purpose
of taking action in relation to building
soldiers monument, erecting new hose
house in Third ward and making inn
on the city water works, was
held Monday, and it was undoubtedly
the most largely attended meeting of the
kind held in this city for years, the
hall being filled to OVERLOOKING
The meeting was called to order by City
Clerk Pease who read the petition and
warming On motion of Alderman SUIT.
ton, Elihu b. Taft Esq, was elected chair
man and City Clerk Pease acted as sec
rotary.
THE WATER QUESTION.
The second section of the warning which
had reference to the water works improve
ments being called up Mayor Woodbury.
took the floor. After explaining why
new meeting was called, he stated that
the City Council had the power to
raise a tax even at this late day for the
purpose of making the proposed improve
ments to the water works but they
thought it better to appeal to the voters
directly, because it was advisable that the
expense should be distributed over a mum
Der OF years. He then read "A resolution
authorizing the city council to make the
proposed improvements ana also authOriz-
ing the issue of bonds to meet the expense
of the same. He said that the city had
been offered lO4.35 per cent for the bonds
which would make the interest on them
35s per cent
ii. :. Peck, ESQ., asked when the reser-
vor would be built If the meeting author
lied the work to he done, and the mayor
answered that it would be done this sum
= 81. 81, Il. t;,.,,
of the resolution introduced by the
mayor.
Hon. Daniel Roberts in reply to the
statement of the mayor that the City
Council had the right to make the pro-
posed improvements said that the power
of legislation was by the charter taken
away from the people and given to the
City Council. He claimed that 1t did not
lay with the meeting to authorize
the work as suggested by ;he re-
solution. He was IN favor Of
letting the City Council take the re.
sponsibilty in the matter. He believed
some if not all the proposed improvements
were necessary but he was not in favor
of bonding the city further. He then in
troduced Il resolution as an amendment
to that before the meeting, providing that
the City Council should act their proper
part in the matter and raise the money
by taxation if the improvements were de
cided upon.
In reply Mayor Woodbury. said the
Council had taken the responsibility but
after they had authorized the committee
to 90 on with the work they found them
selves without funds. lie thought the
Council could go on and levy a tax now.
Carolus Noyes, Esq, asked how it was
that the city wanted iire-proof building
to keep its coal in when the dealers
did not find such protection necessary IN
storing their coal. He then detailed the
Il
issued bonds and claimed that none Of the
bonds were being retired He thought
the water department could spare enough
from its funds to put the reservoir III re-
pair and extend the main into the lake.
No city had better water than we and the
city had better remain rs it was. If the
people were gong INTO new schemes they
should know the details of the plan.
Alderman Peirce in reply said that
there was wide complaint in regard to the
water, and if those present could see the
source of supply and the condition OF the
reservoir, they would find fault too. The
old Board of Aldermen had been found
fault with because they did nothing, and
the present Board inauSurated scheme
which would furnish water supply for
the future needs OF this growing city. The
recommendation was not for ilre-proot
coal shed, but fire proof mel shed.
ShaVings were burned good share OF the
time On the morning of july 9th, the
reservoir was full, and although both
pumps were kept at work the supply fall
ed If a contlagration had occurred, the
result would have been fearful to contem-
plate. The motor ON the NIL mad gwen
good satisfaction so far as he knew
Mr. O'Neil asked if estimates had been
made for each separate Improvement pro
posed, and Alderman Pierce answered III
the affirmative, giving the estimates
which have already appeared IN thest
columns.
Robert Roberts Esq, inquired whether
the present reservoir could be cleaned
and repaired without endangering oul
present water supply. Alderman Peirce
= thought not The cement pipe was wea
and il that or a pump should break the
city would be without water.
Superintendent Parker being asked
about the overflow said that had no bear
ing on the question of the breaking o
the cement pipe when the pumps were
working directly against them. some
7 times they could use but one pump 10
fear of breaking the cement pipe; III
mains were SO small aud so weak tina
direct pumping was not advisable |
Icould be done, but the risk was great
The motor which had been criticised sup
piled st. Joseph college, athe Medical col
iege, the University, the Mary Fletche
hospital and other pubic buildings, ana
e worked well. If the water should b
- shut Off the motor would not work an
thee buildings would be without water.
Hon. Henry Ballard said Mr. Robert
E was right about his idea OF the power G
the council, and if they had the power tn
z vote of the meeting could do no hurt.
f authorized by the meeting to 90 on the
) would have the law and public approve
= on their side. He hoped the meeting woul
l vote down the amendment and pass IN
resolutions.
D., The amendment was then put and vote
f down, and a vote on the original resolt
, ton was called for. The vote was the
D taken RIGA rOce, but the chairman hein
i in doubt as to the result division of tn
= house was called for and the resolutio
7 was lost.
: THE SOLDIERS MONUMENT.
The article of the warning relating
the erection of II soldiers monument b'
ing taken up the chairman on reques
: read a resolution instructing the Cit
LIZ