Gloucester County Democrat., 1908-12-24
A Letter From SWedesbOro.

The details of the Swedesboro Meadow
deal, which the Borough Council have not
given TO the public, are as follows:
Al meeting not advertised in the news
papers, committee from the Borough con-
ferred with a like committee from the
township and decided to purchase the right
of way to straighten Raccoon creek. To Sc
cure the funds necessary joint note signed
by group Of private citizens was discoun-
ted at the Swedesboro National Bank and
the deal was closed by two townsmen in
no wise connected with she Borough Coun-
oil. Later, the sum Of $500 was withdrawn
(from the incidental fund councilmen
claim and paid TO the Swedesboro Nation
al Bank to redeem the Dint note.
Naturally the question as to why the
money was secured on joint note given
by private individuals instead Of by reso-
lution and appropriation, arises. Was it
because the Council, officially, did not de-
sire to appear in she transaction until the
act of Legislature taking effect April 22nd,
'OS, legalized their operations?
When search through the minutes of
Council meetings was instituted with a
view TO finding any entries relative to the
Meadow Deal, the Borough Clerk assisted
the searchers in finding an entry under
date Of October 9TH, '08, an entry which he
asserted was the only existing one applying
in anyway to the transaction.
The record shows chat an order for $500
was drawn payable to the Swedesboro
National Bank in part payment of the Bor-
ongh's share of the expense in purchasing
the right Of way for the purpose Of straight
ening Raccoon creek, from which it can be
seen the entry is false one as the $500
actually redeemed the joint note signed by
the group of individual citizens.
Simultaneous with the above disclosure
came the positive assertion Of the Borough
Clerk that no resolution or ordinance had
eyer been passed relasiye to the appropri-
alton. Holding the voucher for the $500
paid to the bank in his hand at the vine,
he declared that upon that 'checko was the
first and only place the Mayors signature
appeared in the transaction.
By what authority, then, were the Bor
ough funds incidental funds which
had better haye been termed supplement
tal''-used in purchasing the right of way.
The transaction was direct violation of
the law approved April 2nd, 'O8, under
which Council was operating, for said law
reads:-
The Council of any borongh in this
State shall have power By ordinance or
resolution TO appropriate
such sum>of money as it may deem neces-
sary for the purpose of paying the cost of
purchasing OF lands necessary
for the purpose Of Strengthening any nav
igable streams" etc.
From that it can be seen that the appro-
priaied sum must be returned to the ''inci-
dental" fnnd from which it was extracted
in fact, there was no authority for its ever
having been extracted.
The taxpayers, accused of narrow-mind-
edness, would like to know why the Incl
dental money Tin the face OF the highest
tax rate the Borough has experienced) was
not used in improving Railroad avenue
which is badly in need Of immediate atten-
tion instead of being relegated TO the pur-
chase Of meadow land one mile outside of
the Borough limits?
If the Borough Council was honest, and
sincere in its desire TO benefit the inhabi-
tants why have they not made public the
full details Of the transaction.
ANDREW E. BIGGs.