Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-01-19

line reQuCUlOn Oh over GOOO 10 OauoSu ~
the decreased payments made by the Inter
national Paper company, who have re-
duced the amount of water used by pump
ing their own supply. The rates for the
use of water are still absurdly low, and the
usual article is again inserted in the war
rant to see if the village will increase them
so as to show profit larger than now.
The indebtedness of the village on account
of the water supply is now $3S, 800, on
which we pay per cent interest
The superintendent of streets makes no
report except such as is shown by details
of receipts and expenditures. Some new
lamps have been added to the street arc
system, somewhat increasing the annual ex-
pense, although the expense of electric
lights in 1898 was $34S1 so as compared
with $3416 SO for the past year. A new
contract has been entered into for lighting
during the past year, but not for so long a
time as the old one, substantially at the
same rate per light. Sidewalks have been
laid on both sides of Hapgood Place during
the year and other improvements made.
An eight-inch sewer has been laid on Bridge
street and an addition made of six catch
basins and two man holes.
The fire department shows increased ex-
penses, as explained by the chief engineer,
because of increased number of fires, there
having been 16 calls, and also improve
ments shown to be imperative by the Sc
rious fire in Towns hotel. The cost to the
village of the hotel fire was 5000, the men
having been kept at work many hours.
That fire showed the necessity of an addi-
tional supply of hose and an additional ex-
tension ladder. Two thousand feet of hose
and 75-foot ladder were bought. A new
and permanent steamer landing has been
built by the side of the canal, the old
wooden one having become rotted and I'M
safe. The steamer was thoroughly tested
and found in perfect condition. Four new
additional extinguishers have been added.
The chief engineer reports the fire alarm
system to be working WELL which is hardly
borne out by the ears of those who hear
the alarms and tests. Sometimes it is TIE
gong which sounds, sometimes the bell, and
sometimes both. IT'S true it has worked
better the last year than in former years
but it cannot be said to be entirely reliable
at all times. The three largest fires were
those of Towns hotel, Suffers block and
the Truax storehouse fires. An excellent
arrangement has been made with the In
ternational Paper company so their fire
pump may be utilized, and it is suggested
that a gong signal be arranged for use
when the department need the use of theil
pumps so that delay may be avoided. The
department consists of SO men.
Chief of Police Thompson makes report
of less arrests than any year of his service
There were A, of which "a were for in
tOxication, II for disturbances, and tramp
ing B. He has four special officers, d. L
Snow, Edward Lawlor, Fred Streeter anC
George Hapgood, each of which have made
the improvement of procuring uniforms
during the year, although they are only
call men.
DIR. j. T. Ridden as health officer of thu
village reports a heavier death rate thar
any former year. About the same number
occurred between Jan. / and July al
occurred during the whole year of 1898
During the first half of 1899 the number
was As and the total for the year was 20
while in 1898 the whole number was 5S
No epidemic occurred the last year. TIL,
number of deaths from cerebro-spinal
meningitis was IL, consumption 5, still
births =. Eleven cases of scarlet fevel
were reported and quarantined, and tire,
cases of diphtheria, one fatal. Number o
typhoid fever cases were reported as
with one death. In the year 1898 tn
number of cases of diphtheria was Al, will
one death, and 81 cases were reported il
'07.
The bailiffs report fund of $4,000 pai
into the treasury during the year by l.. G
Howard, to be known as the Sarah Bur
Howard memorial fund, the income o
which is to be used for the poor in the vii
lage, and an article in the warrant provide
for the election of committee to see to it
distribution, similar to that chosen by tn
town to distribute the Campbell fund. TIL
bailiffs speak approvingly of the firm of c
W. Blakeslee & Sons who are building tn
electric road here, and say the road vii
be in operation early in the spring.
The total indebtedness of the village i
$44, 955.17, an increase of only $154
during the year. The bailiffs recommen
a tax of 30 cents and highway tax of 2
cents. Last year the recommendation wa
25 and 20. Among the usual articles i
the warrant this year is to see if the villag
will raise the dam at Minard's pond SO {
increase the storage of water, to see i
they will bring the water from the Eli
brook into the pond through about 400
feet of pipe, and to see if the village wi
buy the land at the north end of the villag
between Rockingham and Green streets {
be used for park purposes, or to take an
action regarding securing land for pull
lie park. With the unusual expenditure
of the year which have been necessary tn
result of 30 small an increase in the indebt
edness is a matter for congratulations
The meeting Monday night viii probabl
call out large number Of voters.