Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-26
MADISON.
Village Corporation Holds
Annual Meeting.
Change Made in Administration
OF Electric Light Plant.
Republicans Choose Town Com nit.
tee and Convention Delegates.

The annual meeting of the Madison
Village Corporation was held, Satur-
day afternoon, in Union hall. For the
past six months there have been va
rious stories afioat as to mixed
condition in the management of the
affairs of the municipal electric light
plant Rumors went forth to the ef-
feet that the matter would be thor
oughly aired at the annual meeting.
and when the time arrived for the
opening of the meeting the hall was
filed with voters.
The meeting was called to order at
o'clock, by the clerk, and F. l..
Powers was elected moderator. and NJ
NJ. Spear. clerk. Following the adop-
ton of the report of the superintend-
ent of the electric light plant Fred
Williams, one of the electrical COM
missioners. said he wished to make an
explanation as to why the electrical
commissioners had not signed the re-
port.
MIR. Williams said in the first place
the accounts We're not straight, and
stated that on examination of the ac-
counts, last August, he had found a
shortage in Mr.. Adams accounts. He
said that Mr. Adams, when asked for
information by the other commits
sioners, had answered them in an off
hand manner, also that Mr. Adams
had nearly caused a law suit by his
attempt to erect building near the
power house, that did not belong to
the Corporation. Mr.. Williams also
told of several other matters in which
he considered Mr.. Adams had not
done right
Mr.. Adams replied. saying there
had been more or less friction all
through the year, and that the exam
ination of his accounts in August by
the corporation auditor showed that
SIS had been paid out more than he
had received. He also explained the
matter of the law suit, and stated
that when the annual report was
made up. a searching examination by
the auditor showed them TO be abso-
lutely correct.
The next speaker was Corporation
Auditor j. F. Withee, who substan-
tiated the statements of Mr.. Adams
as far as the accounts We're concern
ed, and said that in going over the
annual report he had verified his ad
ditions by the use of aiding machines
al the office of the Augusta Trust
Co. This statement was greeted with
rounds Gf applause by the friends of
Mr.. Adams.
The officers elected were: Asses
sors, S. E. Remick, F. l.. Harding and
William Jones; treasurer, Charles r
Caldwell; auditor. j. f. Withee; po-
lice officer, Rufus S. McKenney; fire
wardens, Frank Oliver, Arthur b
Heald Herbert L. Sawyer; tax coll
leetor, ]. F. Withee, rate .02.
After short discussion it was vot-
ed to abolish the bylaws relating to
the management of the electric light
plant by board of electrical commits
sioners, and that hereafter the asses
sors have full charge of the business
affairs of the plant, with full power
to elect or appoint a superintendent.
Moneys were raised as follows: Fire
department, $1100; expenses and La
bilities, $780, night watch, $780, by
drant rental, $3.50; street lights.
$500; new hose. $500: additional
street lights, 800; police, $50. The
fetal amount raised was $500
The last discussion to come up was
in regard to system of municipal
water works. The question was OPP
ened by Bernard Gibbs, who said in.
part that the time was now ripe for
something to be done. In the opinion
of Mr.. Gibbs and large number of
other voters of the corporation, the
present supply is not suitable for do
nestle use. Mr.. Gibbs also said in
his opinion the water supply had been
responsible for the death of several
citizens of the town, and something
should be done before many more
die. Owing To the present financial
condition of the corporation nothing
in the way of bond issue could be
done. The question was further dis
cussed by c. O. Small, w. F. Scott