Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-10-12
FROM RAR HARBoR.
Dent Want to be City = Lively
Town Meeting.

I
Il Uuder article 2 Il was voted 20 refund A.
j. Gott the amount OF an oyer-sssessment
OF 1903, Mr.. G0tt having been taxed for
piece OF land he did not own.
Articles 8 and related to the con
struction OF new sewers, and were In
definitely postponed, owing 10 the fact
that the required notice had not been
filed gith the town clerk.
The next article was the one In which
the voters were especially interested
article 6--"To hear the report OF the
committee appointed to investigate the
accessibility of the town OF Eden apply
ing Tor a city charter. and to act thereon p
The report was read by IT'S chairman, +.
n. Benson. Il was not very long, suc
was listened to with attention. II told OF
the work Of the COMMITTEES In its iabors to
obtain all the information possible upon
the subject.
The report recited that the committee
was OF the opinion that the adoption of a
city charter would tx the responsibility
for appropriations and expenditures.
A city form of government would give
the town a deiiberatIye body ready at ali
times to act az emergencies arise. The re.
port concluded by recommending tha,
the town apply for city charter. 1t ives
signed by a majority Of the committee.
| Ii had been understood that q minority
report would be presented, bat q member
OF the minority stated to the meeting
that no minority report would be pre-
scented.
Before much discussion had occurred on
| the question, on motion of DR.. Rober,
| Amory, of Boston and Bar Hsr Dor, it was
voted 10 lay article on the table and
take up article ST.
Article $40 see II the town win Appoins
committee to apply for special legislation, naodi
/ fling the powers and duties of the town - fol
| lows:
/. Providing for an independent board Of a.
SCISSORS to he chosen for three years or more,
with terms OF members expiring in different
year,.
g. Providing for changing the time Of holding
the annual town meeting from March 10 some
time in the simmer or faA, or instead Of such
change, prorliinE for the holding of special
town meeting In the fail. At which the town
officers shall submit full reports
5. Providing for the choosing Of committee
On appropriations whose Recommendations or
! assent shall be necessary for the raising of
| money by less than a two-thirds or three
quarters vote Of the town.
DR.. Amory, representing the Summer
Residents' association, spoke in favor of
the article, and introduced the following
proposals on behalf of the association:
/. a board OF asscssors to he established By
| law, Of which no member Of the board Of
/ seiectmen shall be member-
.. board OF estimate and appropriations
TO be established By law. of which no member of
the board OF seiecimen shall be a member. The
duties Of this board shall he TO IN the amounts
TO be raiscd by taxation, and the purposes for
which they shall be used.
;. 10 the case Of new improvements. such ne
roads, sidewalks. sewers, lights. exc. she board
OF estimate and appropriations shah determine
whether they are of general utility or osiy Of
local neneht. II the former, the whole of the
cost snali be paid by the town in the latter case
they shsN not he constructed unlcss those
especially benefited shall agree TO pay one
hAH Of the cost, All repairs TO be paid by the
| town.
a. No suA shah be appropriated In excess Of
the amoants recommended by the board u esd
| mate aud appropriations; but the voters AT the
town meeting may reduce any item recon.
meoded. or throw Is out altogether.
DIR. Amory made motion that a COM
mittee of seven be appointed to consider
these proposals. This was opposed by e.
8. Clark, c. b. Pineo and e. NJ. aAmor,
who made vigorous speeches. DR.. Arnory
replied, and at times the discussion wss
pretty heated.
After time the voters became anxious
| to have the main Issue settled, and ON
| motion OF E. N. Benson il was voted To
| lay this article on he table, and take I'M
article Gin regard to the city charter.
| A riud pocs vote was taken, aud the
moderator being in doubt, the house was
| divided, when II was apparent that the
voters were about three to one against
city charter.
Under article II was voted to appoint
a committee OF seven to consider the pro-
posaIs OF the 5ammer Residents associz.
ton, such committee TO report at the
next annual town meeting. The commit.
tee was appointed as follows: Eben N.
| hamor, l.. b. Deasy, L. n. Benson, NIL.
Lord, A. e. lawrence, C. B. Pineo, j. n
Clark.
The question of the town OF Eden be-
coming city is settled for at least tive
years, and II is doubtful II the mstter Is
brought up then. The voters of the town
have passed upon the question twice
within short time, and 1t is evident tina.
there Is strong opposition to the city
| idea.
Those in favor of the city government
plan ssy that the objections OF their op.
ponents srs largely sentimental, and this
Is no doubt true in a measure.
ons OF the prominent speakers from
up the town said in Thursdays meeting
that II the town became Q. city its name
wonid be the city OF Bar Hsrbor. and be
did not want to see the old name, Eden,
dropped.