The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-01-03
VILLAGE FATHERS
BEGAN THE NEW
YEAR WELL
Returned Rejected Fee To
Attorney Barber
ACCEPTED IT SECOND TIME
Corporation Counsel Received Five
Dollars for Services Rendered at
Special July Meeting


The regular monthly meeting of
the village board Of trustees was
called to order at 1880 last evening
by President Martin, Trustees Nash,
Davenport, Morrissey, HOLSTER, Buss
and Holden being present, together
with Clerk W. p. Hogan, Village At
torney e. D. Barber, Street Commits
sioner A. X. Dunn, and Chief of Po-
lice Patrick Brazil.
Trustee Nash proposed the topic
which occupied the major part of the
evening. He stated that he had re-
ceived unofficial information to the
effect that Village Attorney Ernest
ID. Barber had returned fee of five
dollars, for services rendered at a
special meeting of the board on July
8, to the village treasurer. When
questioned, Attorney Barber stated
that such was indeed the case
In the course Of the discussion, 1t
developed that Attorney Barber had
presented bill of five dollars to the
village for attendance at the special
meeting: that the board had at first
refused payment, alleging that the
usual bill for attendance OF the vii
lage attorney ct special meetings was
three dollars and stating that the
present charge was excessive. The
board at the July meeting finally vo-
ted to pay the bill. Attorney Barber
at that time accepted the check in
payment. At the same meeting, 1t
was voted that Attorney Barber
should not attend special meetings In
an official capacity nor receive remu-
Grafton for attendance.
On October 18th, Village Treasurer
Charles H. Dewey received a letter
from Attorney Barber enclosing a
personal check to the amount OF five
dollars. In the letter Attorney Bar
Der stated his reasons for returning
the money to the village and express
ed his willingness to attend special
meetings without remuneration.
AT the meeting of the board last
evening, MIR. Barber was taken TO
task for not notifying the board
through its clerk. Of the return Of
the money and OF his willingness to
serve at special meetings without
pay. The money had been turned in
to the general fund. The members Of
the board seemed at loss to ex-
plain the return of the money to the
village and did not quite comprehend
Attorney BARRIERS reasons. Trustee
Nash moved that the FIVE dollars be
refunded to Attorney Barber, the mo-
ton being carried.
On the advice of Engineer ID. 7.
Bates, the board voted to reject the
bill for extra excavation in the con-
struction OF the South street sewer
extension. Trustee Holden moved
that the outlawed debts owed the vii
age for the construction of curb and
gutter and now carried on the books
OF the village as assets be stricken
therefrom. The motion was with
drawn upon the offer OF Attorney
Barber to investigate the matter
without charge and to see II some Of
the money couldn't be collected. The
amount Of money owed the village by
lbutting landowners where curb and
gutter has been installed is in excess
Of $500
A report from Chairman Davenport
Of the financial committee was defer
red until the next meeting Trustee
Holden raised the question as to
whether the board should not pre-
pare special article in the warning
Of the annual village meeting. dealing
with the disposition OF surface water
Mr.. Holden stated that permanent
pavement is being installed in some
parts Of the villgae. but no provision
is being made for surface water No
definite action was taken.
The undercurrent of discussion con,
corning the alleged return of the FIVE
dollars to the village by Attorney Bar
Der, again occupied the center of at
tention upon the production OF Mr.
BARRIERS letter to Mr. Dewey.
Mr. Barber finally consented TO the
return of the Eve dollars and accept
ed II with becoming reluctance.
Village Attorney BARRIERS letter
stated In substance that the matter
OF the payment of the Sc for the spec
lal meeting had been submitted Ia
the local socialist organization and
that his action In returning the mon
ely, had been In accordance with the
advice OF his political associates.
II was voted that the clerk draw or
ders for the following bills
u. h, Larrabee, lights SiS2.5C
Louis Bleau, driver l5.eC
Patrick Brazil, duty for Dec. 3l.0C
Richard Hurley. duty for Dec. SOC
c. II. Dewey bond and coupons.
2.32OOC
Geo II. Harwood. care steamer 5000
w p Hogan, services as clerk 5000
c. A. Wood, office supplies 1875
James S. silk, repair hose rooms
3i79,
Harry Cummings. repair II a l. co
iig,
Il. ID. Barber village atty. fees 60C
l.. II. Buss, repairing wagon 4.GO
+. u. Larrahee. light police rooms
Ia
A. r. Dunn, highway payroll li8;
a. r. Dunn, sewers $50,
II. W. Putnam. feed ffii
Geo II. Moore. hay g6S,
+ d Barber refund. so.