The Somerset reporter., 1894-03-08
Town Meeting.



The first Monday in March is usually
the most exciting of the whole
year 10 Skowhegan people of the
town as whole. Other occasions may
create more interest in some lseai
ty but nothing will agitate the town
from center to circumference like the
annual March meeting.
This year was like previous ones in
this respect, only a LITTLE more so. Last
year the voters of the town surprised
themselves and the people generally by
voting $50, 000 for sewers. The expendi-
ture of this sum was quite an item itself
beside the other affairs aud, the selectmen,
We think unadvisedly. expended some
Sc, 900 in addition to the 1000. The
excess aud more too they expected to
realiN from assessments from abutters
so that the town would stand in. less
than $4,000 In this they. We're dis
appointed a thus far there has been real
lied but Sl63 and the legality of the as
sessment is questioned.
These things with all the attendant
circumstances. reports aud rumors had
the tendency to increase interest and
cause excitement so that when the hour
arrived for the meeting NJ be called to
order, Coburn Hall was packed With
voters from every part of our goodly
town.
Geo. 5. Webb called the meeting to
order at 10 o'clock, read The warrant
and called for votes for moderator.
The ballot resulted in the choice of
Gen. Il. b. shepherd, the whole number
of votes thrown being but IL of which
he received S.
He was sworn by the town clerk and
then called for votes for town clerk.
The result of this ballot WAS the election
of George 5. Webb, he receiving ll0 of
the II votes thrown.
The ballot for first on the board of
selectmen resulted in the election of Levi
c. Emery, he receiving 357 votes and
VIM. b. Snow receiving 81 votes.
The ballot for second on the board of
selectmen resulted in the election of Il.
F. Parker by vote of III for him,
I4lewellyn Goodwin receiving %.
The ballot for third on the board of
selectmen resulted in the election of
Llewellyn Goodwin by Il vote of 1866
votes for him, II. Il. Tufts receiving 93.
At this stage of proceedings Mr..
Alonzo Richardson caused Il little change
in the order of exercises by making Il
motion that the report of the selectmen
be called for and they be asked to eX-
plain certain accounts particularly that
for extra payment to two of them for
services on sewer account. This motion
was seconded and discussion was entered
Into by several gentlemen. Mr.. Snow
appeared and made explanatory state
meuts on the point at issue. Mr. Mitch
ell also explain d at considerable length
the work done by him rs superintendent
of sewers, and subsequently Mr.. Parker,
who had nothing to do with sewer con
struction, responded to call and answer
ed inquiries from gentlemen upon the
floor.
range involving the question of payment
of selectmen, assessors and overseers OF
the poor for their official services o.
Il. Bachelor Esq. submitted "A moton
fixing ,he compensation of the three
members of the board to $500, 5000, and
Sl75 respectively, and if they had claims
for services above those amounts they
must lay them before the town for ac-
ton at the next annual meeting. As an
amendment to this and on motion of f.
\. Merrill Esq. it was voted, that the
selectmen each receive the compensation
prescribed by statute, Sl.50 per day
when employed, and if they do extra
work it shall be laid before the town at
the next annual meeting for action
before payment. The question was
under consideration NJ the noon adjourn
ment and this action was reached upon
assembling after dinner.
The sclectmcn elected were also elect
ed oversecrs of the poor and were att
thorized TO appoint all the remaining
town officers not elected.
+. A. Noin was elected town treas
ureI, receiving l3 of the lG votes east
for that officer.
5. W. Gould was unanimously elected
town agent and also auditor.
y. W. Brainerd and G. A. Marston
we're each unanimously elected members
of the experimenting School committee.
These appropriations for the year
were voted
For Highways, $1,000
- Bridges and Culverts, GOO
Snow Roads. 2,5eO
Poor and town
charges, 1000
schools. 5000
-" Free High schools, 500
Text Books, 800