Norwich bulletin., 1913-09-25
Appointed County seaIer.
MINORITY REPORT FAVORED.
Special Meeting Decides for Raising Whole Amount for Sewers by Gen era Taxation.


 There was a special meeting of the common council Tuesday evening for the purpose of giving the taxpayers an opportunity to object to both or either of the plans submitted by the sewer committee for the purpose of raising the necessary money to pay for the newly installed system of sew CTS. The meeting was opened in the council chamber but immediately ad- jOurned to the large hall below where some hundred or more citizens had as- sembled.
 The majority report embraced a plan to raise 70 per cent. of the amount by general taxation and the balance by an assessment on the abutters based on lineal frontage and area besides a rental of $2 for each tenement. The minority report was in favor of rais- ing the whole amount, which is $123, 328.S1, by general taxation.
 Alderman LaRue, who submitted the minority report, delivered a speech in favor of the general taxation plan. It was in substance to the effect that the matter of connecting with the sewer was compulsory and many who did not want the sewer were obliged to use it. The expense of connect ing and the removal of Outhouses was a heavy burden on many of the small property holders and he thought that 
 their part. He said the poor people could not stand the burden that would be imposed by the majority report, which he said, was similar to the one rejected by the people some time ago. He thought the general taxation plan the easiest, safest most equitable and just.
 Alderman Johnson for the majority report thought it unfair that people who received no direct benefit from the sewers should pay as much as those directly benefited Out of some Is or 20 cities in the state it was found that not one had adopted tho general taxation plan for the whole amount. The only place found where this had been done was North Adams, Mass, and there they charged the abutter $15 for connecting. He said the committee had given the matter much careful consideration and be- heved the majority report was the most just and equitable that could be suggested for the greatest numbef of citizens.
 Several present expressed themselves on the matter. Ten favored the minor itv plan and one the maj aiority plan. A few others apparently favored the majority plan with notifications be- ieving that while the abutters should pay more than those who could not use the sewer yet they thought per SRdlIlSI them in the majority report should be reduced There was but a small rep resentation of large property holders present nor did those living in the city but beyond the limits of the sew CT system take enough interest in the matter to protest against being taxed for an indirect benefit. This raised the assumption that they were satisfied to be taxed for the improve ment in a general way.
 After the public meeting the coun- ciI again went into session in their chamber. There was more discussion along the same lines and it appeared that some who had favored the ma io1ftv report, while they had not changed their views, felt that as the public meeting expressed the opinion that the minority report was the bet ter. it was their duty to give the peo- pie what they wanted. It was voted to take vote by ballot to see if the council would vote to accept the min oritv report Alderman Johnson thought the vote should be an open one The motion as pvt prevailed. There were eight votes east. Five votes were for accepting the minority report and three against, So that the general taxation plan stands adopted.
 It is stated that the plan adopted means d, tax of three mills for a period of 23 years The committee has spent much time and thought on the matter and their werl1 has been well done. Every citizen must realize that the matter as far as the committee was concerned was an impers0nal enc and they performed a public duty which is deserving of appreciation.
 Sympathy for Joe Connolly.
 There are many expressions of sym pathy heard in this city fer Joe Cen nelly, euptfelder of the Besten Nal tionais.s formerly pitcher for Putnam, who recently broke his ankle while sliding ta third Rase, Jae Aas Raade