Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-03-09
THE TOWN MEETING.
Spirited Discussion, but Every
thing Peaceful

At the Annual Gathering Tuesday---
citizens Ticket Elected Throughout
---Col. Hooker Received 2Ol Votes
Road Commissioner---A Tax of 30
Cents and n Special Tax of Cents to
Raise $4,000 for Macadam Roads.
A feeling in favor of retrenchment on
account of the existing business conditions
pervaded the annual town meeting Tues
day, as was shown by remarks of the same
general trend by different speakers, but the
sentiment was not in favor of unwise
economy, and the result as a whole was
satisfactory to all. Animated debate was
INDUCED in, but there was no acrimony,
the desire of all, though differently eX-
pressed, being for business-like action.
The meeting opened promptly at 8
o'clock, when Moderator J. J. Estey called
40 or 80 voters to order. Immediately aft
er he had read the warrant the voting be-
gan. The polls were closed at o'clock,
and the oher articles of the warrant were
then taken up and acted upon. The au-
ditor's report was accepted and adopted
without debate the motion being made by
A. c. Davenport.
The discussion of the day began with
the consideration of the first article, ITO
see if the town will vote to raise money to
defray the expenses and liabilities of said
town." DIR. Holton said that as individ-
uals we have to economize in the present
times, many of us letting our debts go
over, hoping for better times by and by.
In this town there are many who are max
ing homes on which they owe something
Taxes interest and insurance are heavy
burden. When we have better times we
will pay each other. He therefore moved
that a tax of so cents on a dollar of the
grand list be raised; and. supplementary to
this, that the selectmen be authorized to
borrow what was needed in excess of the
amount raised by the tax to defray the cur
rent expenses, the sum not to exceed
$4,000.
f. c. Crosby said he agreed fully with Dr.
Holton as to the need of economy, but
this is the year when we have no state tax.
The 30 cents would really give a tax 20
cents less than last year. Next year the
state tax will come back to us. In order
to equalize the taxation Mr.. Crosby favor
ed 40 cents this year instead of so. Mr..
Crosbys amendment was first acted upon
and was voted down, and DR.. Holton's
motion was then carried. DR.. Holton's
second motion was then taken up. Mr..
Crosby said that the temper of the meet
ing seemed to be to run in debt. The
town had the reputation of paying its
bills. He advocated paying the running
expenses. J. G. Stafford spoke in favor of
keeping the expenditures within the
amount raised by 30-cent tax. DR.. Hol-
ton said the Selectmen had recommended
raising S2l, 900 for the coming year. A
30-cent tax would raise only about $14, 900,
leaving a deficit of $1,000. The $1,000
which he had named as the limit of the
amount that might be borrowed still left
Sl346 less than what was recommended.
He suggested that, instead of borrowing,
the town bonds of $1,000 and 5000 falling
dIe this year might be reinvested. Mr..
Martin thought that by relnvesting the
bonds lower rate OF interest could be Sc
cured. DIR. IIoltons motion to borrow
$1,000 was voted down. \ motion by Mr..
Martin making it optional for the select
men to borrow $4,000 or to reinvest the
| amount of the bonds was carried.
The Highway Discussion.
The bone of contention was article I:
ITO see if the town will, under act No.
81 laws of 1892, for the building of per-
manent highways authorize the select
men to borrow, by the issue of one bond,
the sum of $1,000 with interest semi-an-
nually, not TO exceed four per cent, said
bond to be payable at the town treasurer 5
office Oct. l, 1907
Col. Hooker hoped the town would con-
tinue the system inaugurated when the
stone-crushng plant was erected. The
plant had cost $4,000. The permanent
roadway built had been approved by all.
Formerly the cost of maintenance of the
Main street roadway was $1,000 a year
alone. He referred to the letter of the
Estey Organ company stating that the new
macadam roadway meant a saving to them
of 81 per day for each horse used. The
Estey and Carpenter organ factories,
Smith Il Co.'S factory, and other manufac-
turing establishments are the life of the
town, everything, even the farmers, being
dependent upon them. In no way could
we help the manufacturers more than by
building good roads. Four per cent inter
est meant that we would have to pay only
500 year on 5000 appropriated for this
purpose. Other towns are giving men out
of employment a chance to do public
work. Here the preference would be
given to those needing the wOrk-th6
men with families. Col. Hooker refer.
red to Mr.. Eames as a good man to have
charge of the work, and said he rather ad.
mired the judgment of the caucus in max
ing a change. In no way could we make
the attractions of Bratteboro greater than
by good roads. Col. Hooker closed by
moving that $1,000 be appropriated c. F
Thompson agreed with Col. Hooker. w,
ought to economize, but we can economic,
too much. We ought to take advantage
of the work started.
j. L. Martin asked in regard to the deb
TO be taken out of the highway fund. Sc
lectman G. A. BOyden replied, saying tina
there was about $1,000, besides $500 fo
stone that had been drawn to the crusher
Mr.. Boyden thought an appropriation o
$500 would give about the same amoun
for permanent highways as last year. Mr.
Martin moved TO cut the appropriation t
S2500 Mr.. Boyden said that $500, witt
what could be used from the $4,000 rails
ed by the state highway tax, would Civ,
$4,000 for macadam, if there is no freshe
or other emergency. Last year the freshe
cost the town $1,000 to $6000 Now tn,
roads are in fair shape.
Col Hooker thought the plan laid on
for a system of stone roads should be car
ried through, He spoke of how Burling
ton and Rutland had to "throw away
their macadam roads because of the hap
hazard way in which they were built. II,
knew enough to know that he didn't know
III. Il.