The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-31
FOSTER
FREEMEN
MEET
KnOtty Problems Over tho Towns
Title 10 the Town Hall
Property.

The annual financial town meeting of
the town OF Foster. was held yesterday
and the freemen OF the town were con-
fronted with a problem that appeared re-
markably knotty.
One object OF the meeting was 10 see
II town would provide for the build
Ing of an office for the town clerk, with
accommodations for town council meet
ings, and a brick vault for the perserva-
tion OF town records.
When II was proposed that the office
and council chamber be constructed in
the antiquated town hall with brick
vaults to be connected, the question OF
title TO the property was raised.
The town hall building was originally
the property OF the First Baptist society.
which built the church with the proceed ;
OF lottery. and that the churcn placed
the old structure at the disposal of the
town under certain conditions
These conditions were referred TO fire.
quently In the town meeting yesterday
chiefly IN declarations that all OF these
conditions and any others whlcn may
have been included In the original con-
tract had been honored by violation ra ther
than observance.
When II was shown that the bills paid
to the lst OF March consumed funds equal
ling the proceeds OF tax rate OF s1.1s on
each 800 with bills outstanding amount
Ing to $500. and that the town debt
amounts 10 a little more than $4,000, with
taxable valuation of about half a million
dollars. II was promptly voted to make
The tax rate ti30 on each 500 in the COM
ing year. the same as IL was last year.
resolution was passed specifying that
$500 OF the general appropriation be ap-
piled TO repair Of the roads.
resolution that the tax assesars meet
on the last Saturday I'm November I'm
stead Of the second Saturday in Decem-
ber "a a board Of relief to give hearings
on taxation was adopted.
Another resolution, presented by Tax
Collector George G. Clapp. provided an
appropriation OF $500 20 build an office
for the town clerk with council
chamber and a brick vault for the town
records.
A question as to sufriciency Of the ap-
preparation was raised. and resulted in
passage Of "A resolution appropriating
$500 for the purpose on motion Of James
Wright.
John W. Bowen. Cyrus r. Mowry and
Alvira a. Kennedy were appointed
committee TO build the new town clerks
office
Then the motion appointing the build
ing committee was rescinded and there
followed n series Of resolutions provid-
ing for the appointment OF the same com
mlttee To- locate site for the town
clerks office with specifications and the
committee was instructed TO report at
the May town meeting.
A resolution 10 assess n tax OF ~ cents
TO pay for the building and another TO
hire money TO pay for the building were
laid on the table.
a resolution authorizing the tax coll
lecting to employ counsel to aid I'm coll
lector to employ counsel 10 aid I'm coll
the Providence and Danielson Railway
company In 1902 aroused lively discussion
and some opposition. Tax Collector
George &. Clapp said the company had
declared n would take the fight 10 the
highest court in the land
There was discussion OF a counter claim
OF the Providence and Dsielson Railway.
the town having agreed -ta-pap- com
pany 5000 for grading the highway from
the Foster line at Clayville TO Hemiock
Tho tax collector was finally authorized
TO employ counsel. with instructions TO
make n report at the May town meeting.
resolution 90 repair the asylum
buildings Resulted I'm vote TO sell the
Poor Farm on or before April 90 1903
4 resolution Co expend 500 20 build
brldewell In the town. After the passage
Of a resolution authorizing the town
treasurer 10 hire money 20 meet town
expenses the meeting adjourned.