Norwich bulletin., 1909-09-18

Total amount of orders drawn, $1e4. 274.59 Deduct borrowed money, $26,- 166.6i. Total. $7S,107.92.
 The report says, While certain items of extraordinary expenditure appear in the various departments of this report, causing the increased to- tai amount of orders drawn to $7S,- 0792-we beg to call particular at tention to the items on state roads, schools, school property and cemeter- ies, in which departments expendi- lures have been voted by the citizens of the town in town meetings, and an aggregate of ehese items, namely, $16, 6,666.67 for new model school build | ing, SS,2S5 state road contract, $5,0O0 i, for Potter farm for cemetery and 1 $10000 for O'Loughlin property for high school amounts to s39,951.67, which deducted from our total amount | of orders, $7S.107.92, leaves the sum l of $sS, ,156.25 for current expenses, which sum is slight decrease from ! last year.
 To meet these extra expenses. it became necessary to borrow money in excess of the usual sum, causing the item of borrowed money to be some what in excess of the usual amount borrowed for current expenses.
 The total expense for highways, ex- elusive of roads known as state roads, as stated in our summary, S6,366.22, shows an increase of less than $500 over this same item of expense. for the year 1908. Tn this department we found work that has long required at tention. such as removing boulders, re- placing culverts and fences besides the actual work on the highway. that has increased tSe total expense of this item. We feel confident that the out lay has improved the appearance and travel of our town to such an extent that a slight increase is, in the end, a saving. Out of this item, as usual, the highway appropriation of $2.6O0 to the city of Willimantic, and of $500 to the borough of Windham has been made.
 State Roads-This item, as shown in the summary, as S14,1S9.61, is mis- leading owing to the established cus- tom that all orders for payment of contract work done for the state are drawn through the selectmen. When we assumed office in October, 1908, a state road was building between the city line and North Windham, under the supervision of the state highway commissioner, the contract price for which was about half paid. From October 1, 1908, the present board was called upon by the highway conms- sioner to draw orders to A. Vito, the contractor, for the payment of s. 2S5-the sums having been previously advanced by the state treasurer. This did not increase our actual expense, although it does increase our total being simply method pursued by the highway commissioners depart ment
 In June of the present year we were called upon to pay the state the towns share of the completed road contract which amounted to $4,071.45 To this last mentioned item should be added the expense of paving and new fenc- ing along this road, amounting to S550 the building of retaining walls and steps for abutting property own CTS claiming damages. amounting to S750, together with necessary repairs on other sections of state roads.
 The actual expense for state roads will be found to be $5,904.6L
 Schools and School Property-The item of S27.152.91 in 1909 against the sum of $403.10 in 1908 is vast differ ence, but readily explained by two ex- October 16. 1908, by the town to the state of Connecticut for one-third of the cost of the new model school building on Windham street, of $16,- 666.67, and the payment of S10,000 September Il, 1909, for the O'Lough- lin property for high school purposes, together with the accumulated ex-
  gardihg this site and of the high school building committee.
 emeterieS--Important improvements and additions to two of our cemeter ies have been made this year. which has necessarily increased this depart ment considerably in excess of many years.
 Bridges-While the item for bridges -S1,949.S .S9-is- an increase of S1,294.65 over that of 1908 we feel justified in stating that $e99SS of this item is for a contract with the Berlin Construc- tion company, made by our predeces- sors in office, for the overhanging sidewalk on Bridge street.
 Outside Poor-The net expense of outside poor during the fiscal year varies but slightly from that of pre- vious years. While we have assisted more families than common. yet the relief has to be given when necessary. Insane and Idiotic-The town of Windham is supporting thirty two pa tients in the Connecticut hospitals for the insane fourteen committed dur ing this fiscal year, which accounts for the large increase of expense in this department.
 The town has four patients at the school for imbeciles at Lakeville.
 Almshouse-In the fall of 1908 we appointed MT and Mrs. Henry Cham berlin as keeper and matron of the alrnshouse, and their management of the affairs of this institution has been satisfactory in every way
 Deducting from the total aims house expense, as stated in our sum- mary. &6,27S.52-the amount of dis 'bursements to outside poor, together with board of paupers paid. use of horse for cemetery, and other reim- Hursements, aggregating s1.116.20, the net expense of the almshouse for the current year is s5.162.32. a decrease of $44S.17 from last year.