The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-03-12
Our Annual Town Meeting
Continued from first page


The business thus far had covered
only four articles of the warrant, but
There included the election, or pro-
vision for appointment of all town Of
icers, and represented an amount of
business which had more than occu-
pied the entire day one year ago, yet
Oh last Monday the fifth article was
reached shortly after eleven O'Clock
Having disposed OF the election of all
officers, the town proceeded to the
discussion of the remaining articles,
most of which called for appropria.
tions. III handling these there was
considerable talk of economy and
with tangible results as the final
footings, shown by the table at the
close of this report, show a saving of
So, 22S.50 over the appropriations Of
1907. This table gives each appropri-
alton by itself and in comparison with
the preceding year and it may be re-
ferred to for the appropriations made
under each article.
The appropriation for support OF
schools was cut from $4,000 to 81 900
for the reason. as explained by B. A.
Sawyer and superintendent OF schools
Colby, that the State school fund and
mill tax will yield us something like
1920 more than last year. Therefore,
while we have appropriated $1,000 less
for schools, we shall in reality have
the same or slightly larger amount
than last year for school purposes.
In disposing of the next article, for
text books and supplies, 500 of the
fifteen hundred dollar appropriation,
was set aside for reference text books
for The High School library, to be ex-
pended by the Principal of the High
School. Some discussion developed
on the appropriation for repair of
schoolhouses, it being thought by
some that the amount raised last year,
$500. would not be needed this year,
but the committee having given their
reasons for recommending this sum.
a vote for the full amount OF $500
finally prevailed.
There was long discussion under
article thirty five, in relation TO the
acceptance of a cemetery deposit, the
income OF which was 10 be- applied to
the care of the burial lot OF the late
Albert II. Weston az designated by
his last will and testament. 1t was
urged by several speakers that this
beQuest was made with certain pecu
liar conditions as to the accumulation
If all in excess of three per cent per
annum, and that, In process of time, =
especially if other bequest, also in
volving new conditions, were made,
this would cause great confusion and
annoyance in caring tor these GENE
terry deposits. They urged that this
should not be accepted subject to any
conditions other than those which
had applied to all cemetery deposits
previously re ceived. Other speakers
took the view that the town should
accept the bequest according to the
provisions of the will and administer
it carefully according TO those terms.
This view finally prevailed by sub
stantial majority. The bequest of
Chas. l.. Sidney, for the care of his
burial lot was also accepted, and the
provision that all cemetery deposits
heretofore received, with those ac-
cepted at this meeting, should be in
vested, was adopted without discus
sion.
The question of a steam roller which
has been before the town, off and on,
for long time, came up for discus
sion under article forty one. 1t WAS
finally decided to purchase ten ton
roller, provided that the makers
would accept one thousand dollars
down with the notes OF the town for
Lhe balance, without interest, PAYABLE
one Thousand dollars a year tor the
next two years. 1t was further pro-
vided that the first payment Of $1,000
be made from the 5000 raised for
highways under article five. We
shall thus have $l0e0 less to eXpend
upon our roads but shall have the use
of new steam road roller which IL
counted upon to make the amount We
do expend more affective. further
consideration in this connection is
the fact that, under the new state
road law. as we have fully met the
requirements, we shall get larger
sum from the state than last year.
One of the chief USES OF the road
roller will be to resurtaCe our maca-
dam ways on Water street and Madi-
son avenue, where they are certainly
in desperate need of ii. This Is done,
az was brought in the discussion, by
arranging spikes in the wheels of the
roller and breaking up the surface OF
the street by going over II, after
which it can be rolled smooth by the
steam roller, the spikes being remoN-
ed. II is said it may be done very
rapidly IN this manner. 1t was fur
Their brought by the discussion that
one of the stone crushers, now in use
by the town, can be used as aportable
crusher and that it may be set up
anywhere in town and the new roller
used to furnish power. This will per
NIT of going where the stone are, to
crush them, and using them in the
building of road in their own locality,
an important consideration, az the
cost of transportation is an impor-
tant item of road building when the
stone are hauled to the crusher at
central point and distributed To vari-
ous points on the road lis wanted.
II was voted to authorize the super
intending school committee to tOin
with the town of Madison for the
purpose of employing a superintend-
ert of schools Madison had already
voted To join with some town or
towns and il is stated they are willing
TO ioin with us. In that ease, if $500
is raised between the two towns, the
state will furnish an equal sum, so
that the superintendent for the two
communities may receive salary OF
$500 per year and yet the towns get
along with very much smaller appro-
priations than they have heretofore
made for that purpose. The town
voted to pay each member of the
school board $50 per year as formerly
The salary OF the superintendent viii
be fixed by the school board.
1t was voted to raise $40 To place Il
pressure gauge on Water street, SO