St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-05-28

Special Village rleeting. special
village meeting to see if the voters would
appropriate money to build central fire
station was held in the Town Hall on
Tuesday evening. President N. P. Bow
man presided and the call was read by
the clerk. Article one was taken up and
o. W. Orcutt moved that an appropria-
tion Of money not exceeding $4,000 be
expended as provided in the special COM
mittee's report.
DR.. BuIlard was the first speaker and
led the opposition to the passage of the
motion. He thought when the village
owed nearly 100000 it was suicidal to
increase our indebtedness. "We live in
an extravagant town where the taxes
are $22 so on $1,000. This is next to
the highest tax Of any town or city in
New England. An appropriation Of $12,-
900 now means $4,000 before we get
through with this matter"
Marshall Montgomery said DR.. Bullard
had expressed just the right sentiments
and he believed this appropriation would
make a permanent increase of the debt.
He believed the present board of trustees
were trying to economize in the fire de-
partment, but this new scheme was not
good economy. In the past five or six
years we have run behind $4,000 and
have just had to bond this indebtedness.
A. H. Mcleod was willing to trust the
judgment of the trustees and the special
committee in this matter and thought
the whole scheme was in the interests Of
economy and would cut our taxes down.
He did not believe the trustees would
spend more than the appropriation.
Capt. Griswold said whether the mo-
ton was carried or lost he did not want
it carried or lost on any misrepresenta-
tions. He was willing to stand under
bonds that the building all equipped
would not cost over $4,000. What
we really save is on the salary of the fire.
men. Then the village paid $3.50 in
rentals for various rooms and all these
rooms would be given up and be located
in the central fire station. Here would
be saving of $3.50 on rent and if the
interest on the cost of the fire station
could be secured at 40 the interest each
year would be only $3.50.
DIR. 7. r. Stiles thought the appropria-
tion would be a nucleus around which
$50 900 would eventually be gathered.
He did not believe it was good business
policy to borrow money 10 save expenses.
He reminded the voters Of the fact that
10 years ago the village tax was only rs
cents on the dollar, while now it is over
100 cents on the dollar.
Capt. Griswold said the fire depart
ment had cost the villagein salaries alone
over So, 900 in the last three years. 'By
lessening the force, having one central
station and chemicals with which to fight
the fire the village will save on salaries
alone over 81 800"
DIR. Billiard protested against allowing
a village official to be put under bonds to
build fire station. Hethoughti it would
be better economy to use the building in
Paddock village tor police headquarters
and also for fire station. He thought
IL strange that good business men should
come into this meeting and vote the citi-
zens into absolute bankruptcy.
MIR. Orcutt said that 20 years ago it
only cost 500 to run the fire department
and this amount had been growing ever
since until it was over 81 900 last year.
"The citizens at the last village meeting
appropriated So, 900 for the fire depart
ment this year. The special committee
were opposed to having a station before
investigation, but alter they looked the
matter up they decided that it was the
best way to save money. 1t is a good
time to call a halt on $4,000 for annual
appropriations for the fire department"
The motion was put by the chair and
it was carried by majority oiuine votes.
There were 81 that favored the motion
and SS that were opposed to it.
Article 2, in relation to selling the build
ing in Paddock village now used for vii
lage purposes, was disposed of by pass
ing motion introduced by Mr.. Orcutt
that the trustees be instructed to sell the
property il they could get reasonable
offer for it.
The meeting then adjourned.