Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-05-16
Special Town Meeting.

An adjourned special town meeting
was held last Saturday to discuss the
water question, about which our citi-
Gems are very much in earnest. There
was a good attendance of taxpayers
present. 1t will be remembered that at
a special town meeting held April 10 a
committee was appointed to confer with
the Island Pond Aqueduct Co. with a
view of purchasing their system aud all
that pertains to it. also to ascertain on
what terms the company would furnish
"A reservoir to contain not less than five
hundred thousand gallons of water, to
keep at all times sufficient supply
equal to all demands for fire and all
other purposes, also the cost of the
annual rent of hydrants, not less than %
in number. Mr.. Tinker one of the di-
rectors of the company was present
The committee reported their inability
to secure satisfactory replies, and the
questions above referred TO We're sub
mitted to Mr.. Tinker. lie replied that
the company did not feel justified under
present conditions to name a price tor
their system. alleging that the company
had no assurance that the town was
ready to purchase. To the other ques-
tions he promised a readiness to furnish
everything the town would require at
fair and equitable rates. 4 lengthy dis
cussion followed, resulting in motion
that the Island Pond Water Co.'S plant
be condemned according to law and
taken by the town. A most emphatic
yes was the answer when the question
was submitted, and not dissenting vote
Mr.. Tinker here created considerable
amusement by remarkimg gentlemen, |
believe the town really does want to pur-
chase"
The aforesaid committee We're EN-.
powered to hire an expert to give esti-
mates of cost in procuring water from
several suggested sources. They en-
deayored to secure the services of Mr.
Eoster of Montpelier, but failing, c. 5.
Currier of Barre was engaged He went
over all the systems, and furnished esti-
mates as follows:
Pine Brook route, II miles, Si5,0ll.
Bluff Mountain Brooks, - miles,
Sl2,35S.
jobs Pond, - miles, S37,6i7.
Mr.. Currier favored the latter system
stating that for the sum mentioned We
could have proper distribution mains
and have complete fire protection and
the best of water; and for a large main
without reservoir and with distribution
mains his estimate was S60,400. He
reported the water clean and clear, and
so far as he could see in no danger of
contamination, and of sufficient quantity,
adding that if the town should have a
largely increased population thereby
necessitating IL greater water supply Cold
stream would be available, near AMI
/ cheap. The report was accepted.
, Next in order was the wood question.
This is a matter in dispute between DIR.
) Norcross and the school board. The lat
ter purchased $50 cords at 1925 per
cord from w. l.. Currier, STIMULATING
, that it should be of same quality as
wood delivered by him the previous
year. This is not disputed. The wood
was delivered, and bill presented as
agreed upon, but the school board de
clined to pay alleging that the wood did
not come up to the standard required
, DR.. Norcross then purchased MIR. Cur
!, rier's bill, and made demand for pay,
+ ment. The school board had the sur
t veyors of wood and lumber measure the
wood, with instructions to report as tC
quality compared with that of the pre-
vious year. They reported the number
y. of cords correct, wood not so good il
u quality The board again refused tt
\ pay the bill. Then came the annua
town meeting, and the matter was pre-
y sented there by DR.. Norcross. At thi
l. meeting two new members were elected
on the school board, and the bill wa
y once more presented. The new boarc
d followed the course of the old board il
having the surveyors pass judgment
n which was that the wood in question
e was worth 40 cents less per cord thai
L. the other wood. The board thereupol
We refused payment but rendered TIN
lie amount of the bill less the 40 cents pc
cord. This was refused and the docto
r was then notified to accept the sum 81
II rendered or remove the wood within
l. 80 days. The communication was no
dated, the month (March) only beinI