Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-05-07
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT.

ANNUAL MEETING OF OUR LOCAL SOCIETY ON
MONDAY EVENING THE PROCEEDINGS TX
CELLENT AND FoRcIBLE REMARKS BY DIR. ORA
PER.
An excellent degree of interest in the
work OF the Rural Improvement society was
shown at the annual meeting OF the society
held at the Brooks House on Monday even
ing. The secretary, Mr. o. A. Marshall pre-
scented Il brief synopsis of the results Of the
first st ason's operations OF the society. Signs
were placed at all the street corners, flower
beds were planted in numerous angles of
streets which would otherwise have remained
bare and ugly, many shade trees we're planted
through the society's influence, strong ef-
fort was made to secure the clearing up of
the railroad bank, and though the property
holders refused to move in the matter, a UNI
versal feeling of public indignation was
aroused that the nuisance is allowed to con.
tinue. Most important of all, a general spr-
it of improvement was implanted and pro.
NOTED throughout the village. The lions
share" of credit for what has been accom-
plishtd was very properly accorded to the la
dies of ths executive committee. The mem
bership of the society numbers about one
hundred. The report OF Mr.. Moody, the
treasurer, shows sufficient sum Of money
in hand 10 begin this seasons work, which
beds established last year.
DIR. Draper declined a reelection as presi-
dent of the society and Mr.. N /. Hawley WAS
chosen in his place-a wise selection, for no
one has shown more interest and public spr-
it in the direction of the sooietys work. The
other officers were reelected without change,
except that Rev. q. o. Day was made one of
the vice presidents in place of Rev. S. II.
Lee, and Hon. DormAn B. Eaton was added
to the list Of vice presidents.
In the informal discussion which took
place on the general work of the society the
Disagreement of bridges with glaring signs
was strongly objected to, and also the paint
ing of signs ON rocks or by the roadside at
points where they destroy the beauty Of the
landscape. The condition of the railroad bank
and the action Of the property holders in al
lowing such a state of things was vigorously
condemned, az was also the action of the
Central Vermont railroad company in allow
ing the narrow. gauge freight track to remain
where 1t is constant menace to the public
convenience and safety. Mr. Eaton related
his experience in getting stuck in the mud in
the yard back of the passenger station this
spring and said he believed such a disgrace
full state Of things did not exist in another
town ia the East of the size of Brattleboro.
He also told of the means he had used 10
keep the signs of the West river bridge near
his house and OF the rocks on the river
bank. Mr. Eaton objected, as did Others
to the placing of unsightly signs by the road
side under the Puse of mile. posts
DR.. Draper made a vigorous statement of
the annoyance caused by tue narrow-gauge
freight track before alluded to and said he
believed the time had come for the citizens
to protest against it in earnest.
The other proceedings being concluded Dr.
Draper addressed to the society short pa
per embodying valuable suggestions on the
work and influence of the organization. At
ter alluding to the things done last summer
the doctor said il was desirable to have all vii
lage residences properly numbered, to fill up
gaps in lines of shade trees. TO have sidewa ks
and road ways show uniform lines of green turf,
and especially to have front fences removed
1t is not in the province OF the society to say
that any of these things shall be done, but
its members can work effectively and even