The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-23
A DEFENSE OF REDDING'S TOWN
 CLERK OFFERED
Bedding. Conn.,, July 20, 1910.

Bedding. Conn.,. July 20 1910. Editor of the Bridgeport Farmer:
 Sir-In answer to the article pub- ished in your valuable columns un- Clerk Nickerson's refusal to bring books in. would state that the office of town clerk has been in MT. Nick erson's house for the past twenty-six years, in room set apart for that purpose. and all books, records, maps, etc.. are kept in fireproof safes pro- vided by the town for their safe keep ing.
 At the instigation of the town clerk a special town meeting was called and held on April 7th. 19O6 at which time a committee was appointed to investi- gate the needs of the town in regard to proper safes for the reception of town records.
 This committee reported, at meet ing held on May 26, 1906, that the two large safes then in use were made quate to hold the files. records. maps, etc.. already accumulated. and recom- mended the building of fire and damp-proof vault of such dimensions as to hold all town records for years to come.
 The vault was built in the town house and completed in the early fall of 1906.
 During the following winter the books, records. etc., were placed in the vault by the town clerk. but after be- ing there some five or six weeks, were found to be in such condition as a re- suit of dampness that they were at once removed to the town clerks of- flee, where they have been since and are today.
 At the annual meeting of the town of Bedding held on the 5th day of Oc- tober. 1908, it was voted. That the selectmen be and are hereby instruct ed to take such action and make such repairs as they think are necessary to town records damp proof. so that all books. files and papers can be placed therein, so that they cam be safely kept. and from any liability of injury to the binding. and that the vault may be safe to place files and records as well as ballot boxes in, etc"
 Coming down to a year ago, at the annual meeting of the town of Red ding, held on the 4th day of October, 1909, it was voted, That the incoming board of Selectmen take immediate action and have the vault made per- the recommendation of the Commis- sioner of Public Records, making the floor damp-proof where the moisture works through, and more ventilation '
 To date there has been no action taken to carry out these recommenda-
 
 proper receptacle for town records.
 I was very glad to note. according to your correspondent, that arrange ments have been made by the Select men for alterations intended to make it damp-proof, and a man is expected daily to start on the job"
 MT. Nickerson has repeatedly asked the Selectmen to attend to this mat ter. but without result. and until the vault is put in proper condition he most certainly objects to placing there records that are of untold value to the town
 The town clerks office is and always has been open to the public to trans act all business as is necessary, and at no time has he refused to show records or accord to such persons every courtesy and attention.
 In closing I would state that the feeble effort on the part of a few un- desirable to vent their spite against a man who has held both the office of town clerk and judge of probate for so many years can have but little re- suit, and is to my mind and must be to the minds of any and all right thinking and self-respecting citizens of Bedding, bordering on the ludicrous.
 Thanking you in advance for bring