The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1890-10-03
STRATFORD.

ing was called to order by Town Clerk
Stagg, who read the warning. f. j..
Beardsley was appointed chairman. Stiles
Judson, ST., moved that the reports, as
included in the printed pamphlet. be ac-
cepted, in order to save time. Mr. judi
son spoke on the condition of the town
as regards taxes and debts, saying that
ST., 687 25 had been received from all
sources for the past year. Back taxes
had been collected unusually well, how
ever, about $1,000 more than could be ex-
pected another year. The total disburse-
ments were 7,314 AZ, deficit of about
| $4,000. He had also been informed that
| about $1,000 had been paid, Saturday.
Stratford, Mr. Judson said, was going in
a bad way; it would soon take heavy
tax simply to pay the interest on the in
debtedness. Charles Wilcoxson asked
for an explanation as to an item in the
printed report, Selectman Lewis having
drawn 1864 without vouchers. Auditor
S. w. Beardsley said that Mr. Lewis had
drawn the money for men in the employ
of the town, but that he had no receipts,
though the town held Mr. Lewis's receipt.
Mr. Lewis said that receipts would be OBJ
tanned before night, if possible to find
the men. Mr. Lewis explained that this
way of obtaining money to pay the men
was done to save time and trouble. John
Hard asked why Mr. Lewis had not COM
pleted his report to October /, instead of
March 81 and Mr. Lewis said that the
bill was now ready, but that there had
not been time to prepare it before. Mr.
Wilcoxson enquired how much money
had been paid out on the towns account
since the report was printed. Mr. Lewis
said that number of orders had been
given, but he could not recall the exact
amount. Chairman Beardsley said that,
during his connection with the affairs of
the town, he had required receipts for
all transactions. Stiles Judson proposed
Il tax of II mills, the present tax being
Is. Mr. Judson said that he had put on
the so per cent additional, this year, SIM
ply to get the people accustomed to what
will come in the future. Treasurer G. II.
Spall was called upon and said that a
12-mill tax ought to be laid; 10 mills
should have been laid, last year. Reply
ing to a question, Treasurer Spall said
that an S-mill tax had not been sufficient
in the past, to pay even the ordinary rum
ming expenses of the town; last year, it
was about $4,000 too little. The addition
al tax would realize about $4,000. George
Bartram called attention to the $40, 900
debt of the town, which had been grow
ing steadily. He thought that sinking
fund should be established to reduce the
debt, that it might not be handed down
to future generations. The meeting vot-
ed to lay 12-mill tax. Last years tax,
which was due April l, 1890, was divid-
ed as follows: Four mills for schools,
one mill for highways, the balance for
current expenses. Arson Brakeman
thought that more than one mill would
be required to put the roadsSin good Or
der and moved that mill and a quarter
be devoted to ordinary highway purpos-
es. Mr. Judson thought that one mill
would answer for the other roads, the
two main roads being cared for by an eX-
ira appropriation. John W. Beach said
that the roads should have a mill and a
quarter. Mr. Judson said that the town
hoped, by using only ordinary expendi-
lures, to reduce the debt somewhat. He
moved, as an amendment, that one mill
be appropriated for roads. A vote was
taken and the chair declared the amend
ment carried, but it was doubted and a
rising vote ordered, Messrs Wilcoxson
and Peck being tellers; carried, Al to Is.
The motion as amended was then carried,
as was the motion of Mr. Judson to apply
4 mills to schools. A motion to make
making June 10 the date. Selectman
Lewis said that the later date would re-
quire deal of notwithstanding for the
town, but John Holmes thought June
would be better for the farmers. June
10 was chosen. Arson Brakeman asked
for the appointment of three road COM
missioners, one in each district. Mr. Bar
tram thought that an increase of officers
would hardly tend to decrease of ex-
penses. Il. B. Fairchild moved that the
selectmen appoint three commissioners
who, he thought, could be obtained for
50 day, while the selectmen asked So.
This question brought out many diverse
opinions, most of which were applauded.
John W. Thompson and Selectman Lew
is thought tnat one commissioner would
be preferable. John Hard was tired OF
seeing so many men idle on the road,
nursing shovels or sitting on the bank.
John w. Beach said that it was better to
have an extra man or two than a team
too many. Ii. C. Parsons quoted the
sad fate of Billy Smith, who, when sick,
was tackled by three doctors, but sail in
vain, his little soul was waited DER the
river; the meeting was entirely at sea
in regard to the original motion and the
several amendments. A deal of fruitless
discussion followed and presently Mr.
Beardsley withdrew his amendment, SUBJ
stituting one requesting the selectmen to
appoint George III. Tomlionson road COM
missioner. After further vain discussion,
Mr. Judson asked if the selectmen did not
already possess all power granted by the
resolutions and was informed that they
did. At last, vote was called on Mr.
Beardsley's latest amendment, which
was lost. Another motion, to leave the
roads in charge of the selectmen, was
made, but the whole matter was finally
tabled. amid tremendous cheers. The
care of the poor was left with the select
men The meeting was then adjourned