The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-03-05
TOWN ROADS LEFT
IN HANDS Of THE
SELECTMEN
Surprise Sprung BY Voters of
Rural Districts
BUSINESS OF TOWN MEETING
Not a Real Contest in the Meeting
Which was Large and Good
Natured Gathering

Ndtured 6dtnerlng
In spite of the severe weather
there was the usual large attendance
at Library hall this morning when the
annual town meeting was called TO
order for action upon the articles con-
tanned in the warning. The business
was all completed in one and one-half
hours.
The only controversy that consum-
ed any amount of time was over the
first article in the warning relating to
road commissioners for the rural dis
tricts outside the incorporated
villages. The two factions
one fayoring the appointment
of the road commissioner or commits
sioners and the other advocating a
choice by election as has been custo-
mary in the past. S. Everett Har-
wood championed the cause of APP
pointment and Amos Aldrich the plan
of election. 1t required some time to ar
rive at a decision which was finally
reached by a division of the house.
Messrs. Aldrich and Harwood were
appointed tellers and they announced
the ballot, in which only voters out
side of the incorporated district took
part, to be:
For selectmen to appoint 80
To elect by ballot 20
II was then voted that the select
men appoint two road commissioners.
The rural voters decided to raise
the school tax from 40 to so cents, af-
ter the necessity for additional funds
had been explained by Superintendent
A. W. Varney, not because OF any in
crease of school expenses but because
the school year has been changed to
end July l making Is months expen-
ses to meet this year.
The citizens present unanimously
voted TO exempt the property OF the
Bennington Scale company from taxa
ton for a period OF Eve years and also
to continue the policy of reducing the
town bonded debt TO the extent of
$4,000 as was the case last year.
The actions taken on each article
in the warning we're as follows:
l. To see whether the town will
vote to empower and authorize the
selectmen to appoint one or two road
commissioners, the number TO be
determined by the town N said meet
| ing, or whether the town will vote to
elect one or two road commissioners.
Voted that the selectmon appoint
two road commissioners.
2. To see II the town will vote to
elect one library trustee.
Voted that the town have library
trustee and that Frank B. Carver be
elected TO the Office.
3. To see II the town will vote to
elect a lister to serve for one year
in addition to the lister to be elected
at said meeting for the term of three
years.
Dismissed.
4. To see how many grand jurors
year ensuing.
Voted to have one town Juror.
s. To see II the town will vote to
elect a second constable.
Voted TO elect second constable.
6. To see II the town will vote to
elect a collector of taxes.
Voted to elect tax collector
Z. To see II the town will vote to
elect tree warden.
Voted to elect tree warden.
s. To elect all town officers.
Polls opened, closed at . o'clock.
8. To vote by ballot, in the man
ner provided by law, upon the fol
lowing question: "Shall license be
granted for the sale of intoxicating
liquors in this town."
Polls opened Results given else
where.
10. To hear reports OF the town
officers.
Printed report accepted and adopt
ed.
IL. To see what sums are neces
sary to be raised for the following
purposes. viz. For the laying out
maintaining and repairing the high
ways OF the town, and for the pay
ment of a state highway tax; for
maintaining the schools and school
houses, and for the school purposes
OF the town and for the payment OF
state school tax; for the payment OF
any indebtedness and interest there
on: for the support OF the poor; fol
the maintenance of bridges and OF
winter or snow roads, for the pros
ecution and defense OF the common
rights and interests Of the inhabi
tants OF the town; for the other nee
essary incidental current town ex
penses. and to vote tax upon the
Grand List OF the town for the pay
ment thereof
Voted total tax OF 30 cents on the
dollar including n highway tax of q
cents and that the town take up Q
$4,000 bond. The rural voters ordered
school tax of 80 cents on the dol
lar.
IL. To see what sum. II any. ant
not less than one hundred dollars
r nor more than seven hundred fifty
dollars. In excess OF the amount o.
the highway taxes now required by
? law, the town will vote to appropri
ate to be expended for permanent i'm
proyemont OF its highways in accord
ance with the provisions OF Chapter
1T2 of the Public Statutes of Yer
mont, and amendments thereto.
Voted that $3.50 be appropriated
from the general fund.
"a. To see N the town will VOTE