Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-07-11
Electric Lights Coming -sometims

~~~-'--~-r7
\ But not this year.
Such was The verdict at the largely at
tended special village meeting Friday
evening.
This was the way the procession moved.
Clerk Eldredge read the warning.
Judge Rowell, as moderator, called for
the report Of the electric light committee.
j, A. Fowler, its chairman, read re-
port covering all phases OF the subject.
The committee recommended that the viii
lsge own and operate its own plant. The
cost OF steam plant would be about
f17 900 sFuel to run the engines would
cost about q 800 year, which, with in
terest, depreciation, help and repairs,
would make the whole expense about
$3.50 per annum. II the village paid
II 400 for its street lighting, there would
be left a 40. Fifteen hundred incandes-
age OF a would make up enough revenue
TO pay expenses and leave balance.
In regard to water power, the committee
regarded with most favor that at Gays
Vile, thirteen miles distant. 1t will re-
quire 1S5 horse power to light this village
as described. The Gaysville power Is good
for this amount except In the dry season
when an engine would be necessary AZ
auxiliary. The total cost OF system em
bracing this power would be about ~, 000
including the engine. The committee be-
lieved this plan to be feasible. Power can
also be secured at the Stoughton mill site
on the East branch, seven miles away, but
1t is inferior to that OF Gaysville. The
power at 50 900. With water power, the
running expense Of the system would b
less than by using steam ano the rates fol
| lighting could be reduced in proportion
The committee favored the GayBville plan
but found that at present The village lack
ed the legal rights necessary, which can
be secured only by waiting for an amend
ment TO the village charter by the next
legisla ture.
Inc report OF the COMMITTEES was ac-
cepted, with the exception OF the recon
mendatioDs. 1t was then moved that
when the village adopts electric lighting
It shall do so as municipality. BY ris-
ing vote, this motion was lost.
George j. Prince made his proposition
for installing an electric light system, pro
vided that The village would grant him q
franchise, as outlined in recent issue.
The proposition was discussed and there
seemed fair prospect Of its being accept
ed until Judge Rowell gave his opinion
that the village lacked the legal right to
grant a franchise, as well as to do the work
itself. Then everybody Jumped on it,
and none were so poor as TO do it rever-
ence. However, it received several votes
at the last.
MIR. Prince was at serious disadvan-
tage in not being in position to say who
his hackers were and what his plan was.
Gould ne have done this and II there had
been no legal breakers ahead, the HERALD
believes he would have secured the fran
chise.
The meeting settled one thing definite
ly. The sentiment Of the village Is strong
~ in favor OF the lights. When the char
ter rights shall have been secured, it will
be only brief time before electric lights
will be installed. The village is ready for
them now. 1t was a sad mistake that no
provision was made at the last session.
We must wait year or two, but electric
lights are surely coming.
The trustees we're not prepared to make
a full report in regard to permanently im-
proving Main street The meeting in
structed them to gravel the street bed
from the covered bridge to School street.