The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-11-23
BERLIN ANNEXATION.

The attendance was large wednesday night
at the continued hearing on annexation. 1t al
most became necessary to use the hooks to
hang surplus spectators on Counsel on both
sides were loaded for game, and points were
made and pushed with considerable energy.
Dan Worcester of Berlin, former select
man, said he preferred annexation, since it
would give better sanitary, police, school and
fire protection privileges. He thought it would
be a good thing for the back country to have
this portion annexed and get rid of heavy ex-
pense He didn't see that it would be of any
particular benefit to the locality if the Aldrich
and Pitlxin farms were to be taken in; removal
of the school house might be inconvenient He
thought Berlin would get many more improve
ments under annexation. This Mayor Gordon
tried to prove improbable Mr.. Worcester
said he understood that assurance had been
given that no objection would be made by
Montpelier TO bridge improvements contem-
plated by Berlin; would not say from whom
such assurance came He explained action of
selectmen as to bridges, highway and foot
Mr. Plumley objected to giving all the time
to witnesses for annexation, and thought it
about time some of the others were given a
chance.
A c. Shepard of Berlin, testified for annex
alton of territory of latest petitioner lived on
first farm next to Barre city; grand list is
SOS 80; five in his own family. He said he had
laid out several building lots and wanted to
get in because of better chance to dispose of
these; expected annexation would give him
better roads and other improvements; electric
cars made it very convenient; ii portion named
in bill was taken in only, the school privileges
of his locality would suffer. Admitted, on
cross examination, he had signed remon-
STRANGE but changed his mind later; would be
a loss, "a trille perhaps for WHILE" if the
schoolwere taken away. Mayor Gordon asked
if Shepard had not said he wanted Berlin
town to stay as it was, but Shepard claimed
he had not said so. Biggest part of his produce
goes to Barre market; school and churches
were nearer to him in Barre. Counsel tried to
get Shepard admit that Berlin town would be
| better off without annexation, and with village
incorporation, and witness leaned towards adj
mission of that Later said he meant he
might be better off than now" Portions
of Montpelier and Barre highways were shown
up by counsel with some sarcasm. Shepard
admitted he had rather travel on the Berlin
side. The witness testimony was not very
definite either for annexation or against it.
George Dodge, one of the latest petitioners
wanted annexation because of better privileges
it would bring; hadn't been approached by
either Barre or Montpelier people on this sub
| iect. He thought the town would likely be
better off if the territory named in the bill
were annexed; didn't know how it would be in
case OF annexing all the territory named, it
would reduce the list and yet leave quite a
bridge burden for the rest of the town.
| w. &. Goodwin, also a late petitioner, ex-
planned his view of the situations; wanted to be
annexed for reasons s milar to those mentioned
| by others. If he wanted to sell out thought he
would stand better chance under Montpelier
auspices His story was short.
Mr.. Plumley called attention to the reading
of the petition as showing the limitations there
| of; he claimed that the bill and the last petit
ton are some way outside the original petition.
Mr.. Bisbee explained that the trustees of
the Aldrich Library manifested an interest in
the matter only. by reason of the attempt to
annex the territory represented in the last
petition thought the other side ought to bring
out these farmers who they claim are clamor-
ing for annexation. Counsel for Montpelier
didn't care to put on others and take further
time; the city does not want these people to
come in unless they want to.
Berlin counsel called E. G. Souden; he had
signed the petition, and wished | hadn't af-
| terwards." When he signed he was given to
understand he would have to come into Mont
pelier Didn't want to be annexed. His
brothers. opinion is the same as his On cross
examination he said his taxes we're something
over eight dollars; worked in Barre and lived
in Berlin Mr.. Rowland has talked with me,
but not to influence me.
Rev. j j. Goodacre of Berlin Corners has
been school superintendent, had travelled about
town and figured that annexation would affect
eleven schools, and that would leave us sixty
four per cent of the schools and thirty seven
per cent of the grand list on which to support
them; people living outside of Berlin side have
talked about establishing high school; this
| L L
reverend gentleman described to the committee
the lay of the land, to prove the lack of any
central place for school or town meeting pur-
poses if Berlin side was taken away, Wit
ness told a clear, straight story. Annexation
would leave eighty-fve per cent of the roads
and thirty-seven per cent of the grand list. An
| increased rate of taxation would follow for
| those who were left in Berlin. On cross-exam-
nation he did not know how many school chill
dren were in Berlin: School tax is now TWEEN
LYNNE per cent by his figures, and it would be
| increased to thirty. seven. The meeting was
adjourned until Friday evening, and it is I'M
derstood that this will be the final hearing.
FRIDAY EVENING.
The adjourned meeting OF the special
committee on the annexation of part of
Berlin to Montpelier was held in the gen.
eral committee room on Friday evening.
This large room was filled to OVERLOOKING
with people from the towns interested. SEN
ator Putnam presided.
A. l.. Hewitt CT West Berlin, a member
of the school board, and former represent
tative OF Berlin. said the town had talked of
building new high school building; and
had expended between 5000 and $1,000 in
maintaining the four schools in districts
five and six. The total expenditure for
schools, including twelve in number, dur
ing the past years was So 88237. The num-
Der of pupils in the part proposed for an
nexation is 1922 and the cost per pupil had
been 81 50. The number OF pupils in the
other part of the town was 1913 and the cost
per capita had been SO %; SIP had been
paid out for transporting pupils A number
OF pupils had been sent to the Barre town
school because Of greater accessibility.
Thought the proposed annexation, If carried
out, would increase the taxes in the town
of Berlin. The town would be left with
seventy miles of road, and the larger part
of the school expenses.
When Mr.. Plumley had finished the ex-
animation Of Mr.. Hewitt, w A. Lord asked
the witness il he knew that the town OF
Berlin was among the lowest in the State
in respect to amount Of money spent for the
education of her scholars?
Answer. Gould not say. Did not have
knowledge pertaining to the matter.
Did you know that your town was nine
teenth in Washington county in respect to
he amount OF money expended for the
education Of her pupils?
1 must plead ignorance.
"A hat a. ,Io