Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-02-25
The Town Report.

/ The Town Report.
This interesting volume is just at hand
containing its usual amount OF informa-
| ton and suggestion relating to the pecun
/ iary affairs of the town. Our officers are
/ to be commended not only for the faith
fulness with which they discharge their
duties but for the care they take in MAX
| ing their reports clear and comprehensive
to the voters.
The net Indebtedness OF the town ia
e, 100 against 81 ,298 last year. The expen-
ditures in the highway department this
year amount to 1929 against S2,928 last
year ,overdrawing this account,as is shown
by the treasurer's report, S5l.63.
One year ago there we're taxes uncolleet-
ed amounting TO s595.96. This year the
same item is $3.50 Considering the hard
times, this is very good showing.
The school directors report shows to-
tai expenditure for all purposes OF 1886,
leaving, as shown by the treasurer's ac-
count, S60S in the treasury, with school or
ders outstanding issued Feb. IS, 1897,
amounting to $1,065.
The town agents report is as follows:-
"In the suit OF the town OF Randolph VS..
Roxbury, the Elijah Darling pauper case,
reported for trial at last June term of Or.
ange county court, was continued on ac-
count of sickness OF important witnesses
on both sides, and again at December term
continued after partial trial OF the case,
on account OF sickness of a witness dur
ing the trial. There is no other suit pend
ing in which this town is interested.
The expense OF bridges and repairs on
same is S33S.91 more than last year, the
east part of the town requiring 1895 "a of
the total OF IL ,4S6.17.
The poor cost the town last year 81 1851 II;
this year the item is 81 ,91s.56.
There were $50 dogs licensed, yielding
s2ll. No sheep were killed by dogs during
the year.
Among extraordinary items of expense
were $3.50 for the new town safe and s225
for new road machine and pillow, which
will not have to be duplicated the coming
year.
The public library trustees make their
first report in accordance with law. The
library was opened Nov. IA, 1896, and at
this date contains 573 well-selected vol
umes. In this time PAL different persons
have drawn books from the library to the
number OF 1863 volumes, an average OF 81
books each library day. On Feb. 20, the
last library day previous to the report, SO
persons drew out books IL is believed
that no town in the state where a library
has been established under the new law
can make so good showing for the same
short time.
First Selectman Cushmau, who has su-
pervised the liquor business, says: alt
will be noticed tnat the sales OF liquor for
the past year have been more than usual.
which may be attributed, in a measure at
least, to the reputation tue Randolph ageD-
cy has for keeping only liquor OF good
quality and selling the same at very
small profit. For the last four years this
town has sold liquor AT a net profit of
about three per cent, and inquiry has Of
ten been made as to why we sold liquor for
so small a profit. The reason for this is
that the selectmeB were instructed in town
meeting, March, 1898, to make as little
profit on sales OF liquor as possible, and
such instructions have been followed. IL
il is thought best by the voters OF the town
to make more on sales OF liquor, up to 10
per cent, would suggest that whoever is
to have charge of the matter the coming
year is so instructed
The liquor agency reports sales amount
ing to - ,727.S2 and net profit of sl45 40.
The liquor sold last year brought Si,696.50
and the net profit was sl03.05
The treasurer's account is printed in full,
showing the dates and amounts OF all re-
ceipts aud disbursements for all purposes,
all OF which are separated ON the following
pages and made distinct according tn law,
and each showing the financial situation
OF the respective departments.
affairs.
The estimates for 1897, to be provided for
by taxation, are as follows:-
Support OF poor, si,S0000
Repairs OF bridges 10000
Current expenses, 500 90
State school tax, sc. on list OF 1895, ,07552
State highway tax sc. on list of '96, 1,07552
County tax, lcon list OF '96, 21510
TW o-thirds OF state tax OF 15c.
on list OF 1897, 2,15O.00
Net Indebtedness, Feb. Is, 1897, 2,i0O.22
Necessary to raise, sg,4l6 80 /
The last biennial term the state tax was
only 12c. on a dollar and last year only
one-third Of it had to be provided tor.
This year We must provide for two-thirds
OF 15c., which means an increase OF tl,32O
in the estimated expenditures for the COM
ing year.
The grand list OF 1896 is s21, 510.32. For
tn five cents on the dollar OF the grand
list OF 1897 will probably raise s9.679O0, /
which will be sufficient to meet the eN-
penses. This tax the auditors recommend. /
The tax rate last year was 3Sc.
Rev. &. f. Partridge, town superintend-
emit of schools, makes his usual compre-
hensive report. He has spent the major
part OF II school days in visiting the
various schools. He finds that while |
there is much room for improvement there /
is little reason to complain. Too many /
changes OF teachers have been made and
many of the scholars have been too irreg- /.
ular in their attendance. Our attendance
per pupil is only.S7 days as against 1853, I
the average OF the state. The superintend-
ent thinks we have too many small schools I
and favors further consultations. The
free text book law has proven very salts
factory. A beginning has been made in
free-hand drawing instruction this year.
The advantage OF school libraries is point
ed out and our people are urged to do all F.
they can to place such facilities within I
reach OF the pupils. The total enrolment /
Of scholars this year is 245, which does not /
include those from the town who attend /
the graded school. One-tenth of the pub 7
lie money was lost by non attendance. !
There is less hardness than last year.
(Otber locals on next pagel.