Smyrna times., 1897-02-10
NEW TOWN
CHARTER ADOPTED.
Received Its Final Reading on Friday Night
and Given to b. A. EiazeIl for Preserta.
ti0n to the Legislature.


and Given to b. A. HazeIl for Preserta.
tiOn to the Legislature.
A special meeting of the Town Coun-
Gil was called on Friday night to hear
the last reading of the new charter be-
fore adopting it and getting it ready
for the Legislature. The entire board
was present, President Hoffecker call
ing the meeting to order.
Councilman Boyer, chairman of the
Committee on Fire Apparatus made a
report of the condition of the Hose
Company and brought forward their
request for $75 for running expenses
together for all light, water and fuel
used. He reported "a active members.
fully organized, with equipment in
good order.
When the Council had received their
request. Mr.. Boyer moved that
$75 cash with water, light and fuel be
granted to the Hose Company on con-
dltion that they have 30 active mem
bers continually in organization.
Councilman Cosgriff seconded the
motion and it was carried unanimously.
The town charter was taken up and
reviewed and since some objections
were made in the remonstrance which
has been signed for presentation
before the Legislature, the council
made careful study of several sections
and amended same before final adop-
tion.
Councilman Boyer called attention
to section and made a motion that.
closing with the last sentence on that
section, it should read: "Anv mem
Der moving out of the district which
he represents, after Feb. %, 1899, his
seat shall become vacant and a sue
cessor elected at the following election" "
By this means each district would al
ways be represented. On a prompt
second from Councilman Robinson,
section No. 2 was adopted as amended.
In reference to the provision made
In section No. that no Councilman
shall enter into any contract to furnish
materials or supplies for the town.
Councilman Boyer wished it amended
so as the last clause of that provision
shall read: "And any such contract
shall be absolutely null and void with
out the unanimous consent of the cOun-
Gil. He gave as his special reason
for this that some things could
often be procured here cheaper than
purchasing it elsewhere when the
freight and lading was paid for. He
mentioned the supplying of coal and
oyster shells as an instance where the
charter would prohibit any bids COM
ing from town, each coal dealing bust
ness being represented in the present
board. After a little debate. Mr..
Boyer's motion was carried unanim-
Ously.
Councilman Boyer moved that the
fifth line in section 4 of the charter in
reference to Town Alderman be changed
to read: ''whO may or may not be a
lustic of the peace" Otherwise sbould
the only y two justices of the peace in
our town refuse to serve, the people
under the proposed charter could not
have an alderman. On second from
Councilman Robinson section No. 4.
was adOpted as amandaJ
Objection was then raised to section
No. IL where it invested the Town
Treasurer with the power of a sheriff
1t was thought by Councilman Cos
grlft, exceedingly out of place for the
treasurer to sell mans goods, auction
them OFF at public sale, in the event of
property owner refusing to pay bill
Tor the guttering or curbing in front of
his property. He thought it should be
the eduty OF the tax collector. Councilman
Boyer thought it wasn't right to place
1t on the tax collector as it was as much
out OF place on him as the treasurer.
councilman Robinson finally ended
the discussion by moving that where
ever the word treasurer" appears in
section No. 12, the word Alderman"
be substituted. There being no OBJ
lection section No. 10 was adopted as
amended. In the same connection
Councilman Boyer moved that where
ever the word treasurer appeared in
section No. 20, the word alderman"
he substituted. 1t was was carried
and the section adopted as amended.
1t seemed to be the unanimous opinion
OF the council that such duties were
more III line of the Alderman's Office
than the Treasurers.
Councilman FAIRIES was late in conn
ing IN and when apprised of what the
council was doing. he said he was op-
posed to diStricting the town and the
making of the Alderman elective bv
the council instead of the people.
councilman Cosgriff was not opposed
to dividing the town into districts. but
he was opposed to the Council electinp
the Alderman. His plan was to have
the people to elect the Alderman with
provision IN the charter that he
should be amenable to the councI
There was no action taken, however
on this matter, and the charter as
amended stands.
After its final reviewing Councilman
Robinson moved that the proposed |
charter for the Town of Smyrna be
adopted as amended and such he
handed to representative B. A. Hazel
1n Monday for presentation to the
Legislature. Carried. Council ad-
ourned
Matrimonial