Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-02-19
OUR TOWN AFFAIRS
AS Discussed and Explained in
the Annual Report.

Recommendations by the SeIectmen---
Figures from the Auditors Report---
Expenditures of the Past Year.--Ite-
sources of the Year to Come.
The annual town officers report has
been completed and will be ready for dis
tribution Saturday. The selectmen ex-
press pleasure in beginning their report
because they are able to say that no def
cheney exists in the towns expense account,
but on the contrary there will be at least
$3.50 to apply on next years account af-
ter unpaid taxes have been collected and
attachments have been allowed. The re-
pairs upon the town house are complete
with the exception of provision for ventil-
alton, which ought to be made next sum-
mer, and which can be done at small ex-
pense. The post Office lease has been re-
newed for five years at the old rental, 1925
year. Reference is made to the issue
and sale of $4,000 of town bonds at pre-
MUM netting the town $106j. The bond
ed debt, aside from this issue, is $4,000
road machinery bonds, due $1,000 July l,
1891, and $1,000 each year thereafter I'M
til the whole issue is paid $1,000 Hinsdale
bridge bonds, one due in December, 1897,
the other in December, 1898; highway
bond of $1,000 due July, 1899. These
bonds all bear interest at the rate of four
per cent. Thus the whole bonded debt of
the town is $67, 900. The town has no
floating Indebtedness.
The item of bridge expenses has again
exceeded the estimate by over $1,000, but
this is mainly because permanent work has
been done, which ought to last for many
years with no expense except for planking.
The only new street built during the year
was short one connecting Estey street
with Maple street. Great disadvantage
exists because the lines of the highways
are not definitely marked. The selectmen
believe the streets should be resurveyed,
and the bounds marked by granite posts.
The board have authority to make these
surveys, but have thought best to put an
article in the warrant asking for definite
instructions from the town as to what eX-
tent it shall be done. Reference is made
TO the Maple street controversy and the de-
cision of the courts commission, which
practically approves the action of the Sc
lectmen. 1t is hoped that the widening
and regarding of the street may be made
next summer
For the first time the present tax collec-
tor has failed to settle with the town, but
this is through no fault of his. 1t has
simply been impossible for some to pay
their taxes in the present depressed condi-
ton of business. The total amount of
taxes due is between $500 and $1,000.
In concluding their report the selectmen
say to the voters that they believe it to be
bad economy to raise each year so small a
sum of money that it is necessary to tide
over until the taxes of the new year are
due by temporary loans. In this way the
town pays out 500 OF $500 year in in.
terest needlessly. This expense could be
avoided by raising three or four cents more
on dollar, and thus accumulating sur
plus, which would be sufficient for all or
binary needs. Thirty cents on the dollar
will pay the estimated expenses of the com
ing year, but tax of 80 cents is recon
mended for the reasons named. The grand
list is $40, 436S0. Thirty cents on the
grand list will raise $14,S3l "a; 35 cents
on the grand list will raise SIT 1902 SO.
Following is the detailed estimate of ex-
penses and resources: