Norwich bulletin., 1913-07-23
$500 VOTED FOR BAND CONCERTS
Some Opposition Developed Special City Meeting and
 Ballot Resulted in 58 For to 31 Against-Matter of
 Making Appropriations Required Considerable Expana- ton, but All were Passed

Not without some discussion and digsension was $500 voted for band concerts in Norwich this summer at the special city meeting attended by about 95 people in city hall !'uesGay evening and there was conSlderable questioning and explanation before the three other appropriations in the call were passed as a unit.
 Mayor Murphy called the meeting to order at S02 o'clock and Clerk Ste phen D. Moore read the call A petl- tion for band concerts signed by James B. Shannon and-48 others was read by Clerk Moore.
 Resolution by Judge Ayling.
 Judge Nelson J. Ayling offered a res olution appropriating a sum not eX- ceeding $500 for band music and in so doing suggested that there had been a misunderstanding at the last city meeting and that the majority felt that a city of the size of Norwich should have some such form of enter, tainment. Such amusement has not been provided in the past without con- troversy but other cities have such en- tertainment and the benefits derived therefrom are large compared to the cost. Corporation Counsel J. T. Fan ming moved that voting by ballot be carried out and in seconding this mo tion. Archibald S, Spaulding took the opportunity to state that the appro- priation meant no additional taxation. Personally he had no interest in the issue. but in his heart everyone knows that the object is worthy one and that $500 is very cheap in proportion to the benefits. Some people would have no other chance to hear a band. Mir. Spaulding narrated his experience of getting into Hartford at 9 o'clock at night, recently, and of trying to find a friend among the thousands who were out listening to the strains of one If he "a rtfnrd hands SnnndinQ for band concerts is a wise thing, he ended, and received hearty applause.
 Opposition to Concerts.
 Samuel Crooks moved that the res olution of Judge Ayiing be laid on the table. Mayor Murphy put the ques tion. There was a sprinkling of ayes followed by deep chorus of nos A. s. Spaulding and Cornelius J. Downes were appointed the tellerS for the bal loting and at SPA the fate of band concerts was decided. There were S9 ballots, yes 58, no 31. This question decided many of the voters did not tarry for the remaining business.
 1927 Received from Trolley Company. .- The first matter brought up was the appropriation for macadam repairs of the sum of about S1,300, now due from the street railway company as its share of the expense of repairing Sachem street the entire work having been done by the city and the portion there of which was done for said company having been charged to account of macadam repairs.
 Alderman Gebrath stated that the city had received $1, ,327 last Saturday from the Connecticut company as its share of the work and moved for the ballot. Attorney Tanning asked the alderman for an explanation of the other two appropriations, suggesting that all three be decided at one bal loting. Alderman Gebrath stated that ss89.04 had been received as insurance for fire loss on the stone crusher that this was repaired and charged to or dnary street repairs and that the i'm -surance money should now be charged >to street repairs to straighten out the bookkeeping
 Money Needed for Sidewalks.
 The third appropriation was for sum not exceeding $500 for outside work to be done by the street depart ment and for which repayment is made = 0lo EN IA orI- te-