Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-03-08
THE TOWN MEETING.
\ Complete Overturn in the hoard Of
selectmen,


AND so EXCITEMENT OR CONTEST on ANY
OTHER POINT.
Tuesdays annual town meeting was Of
the short, sharp and decisive order. In
deed, there has been no March meeting in
recent years when, the election Of the
board of selectmen being accomplished, the
whole business Of the year was put through
at such railroad speed without question,
discussion or prolonged contest Of any kind.
Mr. Herrick called the meeting to order in
the absence of Col Haskins, the moderator
Of last year, explaining that he did so un-
der the new law regulating that matter
The first business was the election Of a
moderator pro tempore, and Col. Hooker
and Mr. Herrick were nominated for this
place. On "A division Of the house Col.
Hooker was elected and he was then chosen
moderator by IA unanimous viva voce vote.
Mr. Newton was reelected town clerk by a
unanimous vote, and then for first select
man Col. Hooker and Mr. Ierrick we're
put in nomination A ballot was called for
aud the voting occupied upward Of an
hour The result of the count was sur
prise, showing 6Sl votes cast, Of which 5l7
were for Hooker, 1871 for Herrick and 3
scattering. The announcement was greet
ed with a great cheer and then the election
of B. Hall and d. T. Perry for the 9th
err members of the board quickly followed.
The other officers elected are as given in
our list for the county In several cases
contesting nominations were made but
these were decided, or declared TO he, by a
division of the honse In two or three of
these cases it is doubtful what was the real
sense Of the meeting, and in future we
think time enough should be taken to get
at deliberate and unquestioned decision
in every case of contest
When the election Of "A collector was
reached G. f. Thompson moved that Mr.
Taylor's salary be increased $50, but the in
PRODUCTION of the subject resulted in the
pay being cut down $50, so that it now
stands at $500 including the collection Of
the highway tax, and the collector is to
make out his own tax list for which the
town has heretofore paid $50
A good choice Of the Brattleboro member
of the County board of Education was
made in the election of Hon r. W. Stod
dard The selectmen are road commission
ers same as last year The usual sum of
$50 was appropriated for Memorial day
When articles and ; were reached in reg
ular order it was voted not to exempt from
taxation the BrattIeboro Jelly works and
the Brattleboro creamery, but at the close
Of the meeting Mr. Parry moved re con
sideration and both concerns were exempt
ed for term OF FIVE years on the plea that
both are of great benefit t. the farmers
1t was left to Mr. Herrick, the town agent,
to act in his discretion as to the sale Of the
towns land south Of the highway on the is
land. =. Cunningham, G. o. Day and
James COnaud were elected trustees Of the
free library, and sl2OO was appropriated
for the support Of the library It was vot-
ed to exempt the members of the West
Brattleboro engine company from a poll
tax. Mr. Herrick stated that town tax
of 80 cents, same as last year, would meet
the towns expenses. and on his motion that
per cent Of taxation on the grand list was
voted This, with the special state tax.
state school, county and highway tax. makes
the total amount to be collected under the
town warrant ~ per cent, rs stated last
week
Mr. Herrick said he was tired of the talk
about the mud in Main street, and said he
believed the only solution was - Law down
a Belgian pavement .of granite blocks
He had a letter from the parties who got
out the paving stone for lioyoke, Mass
and they estimated the cost for Brattleboru
at 5 40 a square yard lie moved that the
Nfl' tiliNl INV Nllt ihNltI ana report
next year. aud the motion was carried
Mr. HerrIck also explained that the item
Of $50 paid to f. NJ Waite ON account of
the Sugland trial was for services rendered
and for EXPENSES incurred for counsel fees.
Mr. Stafford Of Centrevlle moved that
the selectmen be asked to appoint agents in
the several districts to look after the road,
aud save expense. and Mr. Kirwan moved
that suitable part of the highway tax be
used for sidewalks. Both motions we're
carried.
The auditors report was accepted aud
adopted, and the meeting adjourned at Just
one o'clock
The complete overturn in the board of
selectmen 10y such "A sweeping majority was
general surprise. but the thing was done
in perfect good nature and without any ex
hIbitian Of slita, III apll Tie. fact
ed to be simply that everybody had got
ready for "a change. and from the talk i'm
the hall it was evident that the Elliot street
wall had been the chief determining factor
the feeling being that the work was not
sufficiently well done and the interests of
the town were not closely enough guarded
The people are few who question the per
sonal faithfuluess and ability which Mr..
Herrick has brought to the service Of the
town through long term of wears. aud the
sound and careful judgment of Mr. Boyden
has been an important and valuable factor
in the work Of the board