Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-03-05
TOWN MEETING.
Held Tuesday, With Good Weather
and Good Attendance.

MlduleDury Town meeting was Drought
to order at ten o'clock Tuesday, and the
warning was read by Clerk Burke, after
the meeting was called to order by Mod
orator Donoway.
To facilitate matters, the booth was in
readiness for the vote on the license
question, and this was begun at once.
The first article of the warning; To
elect moderator and clerk, was dispos-
ed of by choosing the present incumbents.
The second article: ITO hear the re-
ports of the town officers and take pro-
per action thereon" c. 1. Button, Esq,
explained the satisfactory way in which
he question of apportionment between
school district No. and the town dis
tricts was settled. Mr.. Button stated that
the correction has netted the town dis
tricts over 5000.
l. Ii. LaFleur, ESQ.,, as chairman of
the citizens committee, made a detailed
report Of the expenditure of the 800
voted By the town last year for the OBJ
servance of Decoration Day, showing
that East Middlebury was given about
$50 and the rest went to the village.
Third article: ITO determine what
sum of money, if any, shall be appropri-
ated for the observance of Decoration
Day" The assembly voted 500, 35 per
cent of which was to go to East Middle
bury, and the balance to the village; the
chair was instructed to appoint citi
zens' committee, as usual.
Fourth article: "To see if the town
will vote to raise sum of money, in ad
dition to the amount now required by
law, to take advantage of the State Aid
law, and if 80, how much" w. N. Cady
explained that the town can now appro-
pirate $500 for this purpose, and the
same WAS voted.
Fifth article: ITO see if the town
will vote to exempt from taxation for
the period of five years, the plant of the
Bryant Manufacturing Co. Of East Mid
dlebury." On motion Of Mr.. Button the
machinery, supplies, stock, and all the
property used by J. B. Bryant in the
wood box business-the total amount
being, as estimated by Mr.. Button, about
$2500-be exempt for a period Of five
years. Mr.. Button explained that the
wood used bv the mandatory was of a
kind that could not be disposed of to ad-
vantage in any other way, and that the
factory was a decided advantage to East
Middlebury. This motion passed with
no dissent.
Sixth article: "To see if the town will
vote to authorize the selectmen to put in
additional sewers at East Middlebury.'
After little discussion, the meeting au-
thorized the seectmen to make an ex-
tension of the sewer system there.
Seventh article. "To see if the town
will vote to make additional repairs of
the town hall" w. w. Newton thought
that the expenses of the town hall were
too large for the past year, and inferred
that a change of officers would make for
better condition. Mr.. T. +. Burns, in
an explanatory speech. showed the
amount of money actually expended in
the running expense of the hall, which
was very low, and also explained that by
far the larger part of the money expend.
ed in the past year had been in the ma
tnre of permanent improvement of the
hall and its surroundings. the new seem
cry, as well as the fire escapes, the reno
vation of the basement, the new curtain
for the stage being new this year. MIR.
Burns also stated that the selectmen had
sought for the real and contentious car
rying out of the wishes of the voters,
and by the applause with which he was
greeted by the assembage, it was made
plain that the town as whole was well
! satisfied with the administration of the
year past, as well as of the preceding
five years. The article. on motion of
Judge W. H. Bliss was laid on the table.
Eighth article: "To vote a tax for the
payment of outstanding orders of the
town, for the support of the poor and
other expenses of the town for the en-
| suing year. Also payment of 81, 900
order and accruing interest and all out
standing obligations. Also the payment
of State tax, State school tax, State high
| way tax and county tax. Also to vote q
tax on the grand list for schools in the
town districts, and FOR laying out and
repairing highways in said town" A
tax of 40 cents for the payment of out
standing orders, was suggested by
the auditors and Mr.. Burns stated
that this would leave surplus at the
end of the year; on motion of Judge
Weeks the tax of 40 cents was voted.
G. H. Chaffee moved that a tax of so
cents be laid for the maintenance of
schools in town districts, which was car
ried. w. N. Cady moved a tax of 20
cents for the laying out and improve
ment of the town highways; carried.
Passing to the election of town officers,
Judge Weeks explained that under the
working of the new law selectmen would
be chosen, one for one year, one for two
and one for three years. Mr.. Weeks
stated that the spirit of fairness in the
best sense, we should recognize the
great worth of the present board, mas
much as in their administration, five
years the town tax had been reduced by
about one half; that the tax was 20 cents
five years ago, and is now 35 cents; be-
sides this two new steel bridges had been
put in, the bonded Indebtedness has been
reduced by about $l3, 900 beside the i'm
provements on the town hall, and all
this on a constantly decreasing tax. All
this. Mr.. Weeks stated, was due to the
clean administration and untiring effort
of the old board. The nomination of Mr..
Burns as first selectman for one year was
carried through with rush and with
out dissenting voice.
For selectman for two wears there was