The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-12-19
BOARD OF
FREEHOL DERS
Last Meeting ol the Old Board
and Sketch Of the Busi-
ness transacted.
A FEW ROAD BILLS ACTED ON


The board of freeholders met on
Wednesday with the members all pres
ent. For some of the members it was
the last time they sat as members Of
the board, for the newly elected mem-
bers come in in January. The present
idea is that the officers will hold over
until May, when there will be the Gus
tomarY three meetings and election.
A letter from T. Il. Walters, of Gil
Iette, complained of the condition of
his property which he claimed was
due to the construction Of the new
road and stopping Of the old drain.
Freeholder Schoneberger said he hoped
that the matter would not be referred
to him or to the road committee as he
had personally tried to make settle
ment and the committee had been on
the ground with the engineer and
come away disgusted. The commune
tion was finally referred TO the Coun-
sell.
The court house and jail commit
tee reported as follows: Ryerson re-
port to November Is. In jail at
last report 34, admitted IL, discharged
8, remaining IS. Shaw report, in Jail
at beginning of term 18; admitted IL ;
discharged IL remaining December
1, II.
The aims house committee reported
seven admitted and two discharged
during the month, leaving seventy-six
there on December lst.
The county roads committee re-
ported four small bills for repairs, ag-
gregating S72, which were ordered
paid on the audit of the freeholders of
townships in which the work was
done, the inspector having died. Bills
for the fifteen per cent on the Morris
Plains road and for the final five per
cent. on the Mt. Freedom road,
amounting in all to $4,O61.65, we're also
ordered paid.
The damage committee presented a
bill Of $3.50 for repairs to an automo-
bile. which the owner claimed was
damaged by the road near Mendham
areing blocked, compelling the use of 8
by pass in poor shape for travel. The
bill was referred to the Counsel.
Freeholder Schoneberger officially
reported the death of Road Inspector
Malley, and on his motion appropriate
resolutions were al7Onfad
On motion Of Freeholder Spencer,
the bond OF the Pauly JAN Company
for the Jail work was released. Also
the bonds of James Menaugh and G..
K. Wilkinson for work done in the
county.
Freeholder Mills then addressed the
board, saying in introduction that he
disliked the task but felt that some
thing should be done. A number of
municipalities and particularly Nor
ristown raise additional money each
year and charge it up to the county.
The county has to raise enough as 1t
is and it is unfair to be charged with
more This year, for example, the
board of assessors fixed the county
rate at 83 cents, and fixed the sum to
be raised by MDrristown at S73, ,6O7 "a.
The Morristown tax bills came out
with the rate 81 cents which would
bring in on the valuation $50 .605.57,
an excess of 81, ,0o4.S .S3 over what it pays
to the county. This excess Morris
town keeps and charges it as county
expense. He said the law allowed ten
per cent. additional for deficiencies,
but he did not think it could properly
be divided so as to make the county ap-
pear to receive more than it does. The
matter was referred to Counsel to re-
port some plan to place the matter
properly before the taxpayers.
Freeholder Schoneberger introduced
a resolution calling upon the legisla-
tive committee to seek the passage OF
law taxing automobiles 81 per horse
power per year, the money to go to-
ward road repairs. Mr., Mills said
that an effort will be made to prevent
the use OF steel plugs on automobile
tires. There is nothing stronger at
Trenton he said than the auto societ-
es which oppose every bill. tending to
limit them. The railroads and public
service companies do not compare
with them for noise.
Director Becker called attention to
the fact that balances are getting
lower every month and again coun-
seled economy.
Although no vote was taken it
seemed to be the general opinion that
no successor to the late Thomas NAL
ley as Road Inspector viii be appoint
ed before next spring. No work, Of
course, is at present being done.