The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-02-23
TOWN MEETING TOPICS

There are several important mat
ters to come before the town meet
ing which is to take place Tuesday,
March T. Not the least of these is
what action to take in regard to the
bequest from the late Rufus B. God
frey of the box shop property on
Main street for hospital or town
building purposes. An article has
i been put into the town warning so
that the town may take whatever ac-
ton may be found desirable after dis
cussion of the matter.
In considering the question, how
ever, 1t should be borne in mind that
the town has fifteen years in which
to finally determine its action. It
is therefore desirable that the town
should not bind itself to any absol-
ute decision at this time.
1t was Mr. Godfrey's wish to see a
hospital established there but it Is
not at all likely that the town is
ready just now to build a hospital
Nor is 1t probable that the town can
spare the money to erect town
building there until some provision
has been made for the big bonded
debt CT the town now just about to
become due. The best that can pro
badly be done is to arrange to have
the property remain in the hands Of
the executor of the will for a few
years until the town is ready to taae
final action. The provisions of Mr.
Godfrey's will covering the matter
are as follows;
IF and when within fifteen years
from the date of the probate of my
will the Town of Bennington shall
establish and conduct on said prem.
Uses public hospital or building 10
be used for the public purposes Of
the town, such as the holding of its
meetings and the maintaining of its
town Offices or a building designed
to be used for public educational pur.
poses, or a building to be used for
public charitable purposes. then my
said executor and trustee shall, by
proper deed, and to make and exc.
cute the same / hereby vest author
! ity in him, convey to said town the
said described premises. to be for
ever after held by 1t for The said
. purposes, and | direct my said exec
utor and trustee, prior to the time
; when said property is conveyed Ia
said town, as herein provided, to col
lect the net annual income from the
above described property and depos
. II the same at interest, and II saiC
. town, within fifteen years, as above
stated, shall, on carrying out the pro
visions hereinbefore stated, acquir,
title to the above described real es
tate. II Is my will that such annua
Income. and interest shall he by IN,
executor and trustee turned over L
4 said town OF Bennington, to be uset
} by II for the erection and mainten
ance of said public hospital or othe
buildings, but II said town shall not
within fifteen years, construct
> building or buildings on said des
cribed premises suitable to be use,
for one OF said purposes hereinbefor
described, then'it is my will that sal
described premises, together with tn
alnual income and the interest there
on, be and become part OF the res
ldue Of my estate to be disposed @
as have hereinafter provide! for III
residue and remainder OF my ei
tate.
1 desire, however, to express M
sincere hope and wish tina; the sal
town will take said property an
forever after maintain thereon
public hospital"