Norwich bulletin., 1913-03-07
WLLLMANTIC
BOARD OF TRADE
 FAVOR FIVE MILL TAX.
Present Natchaug School Building is RoundIy Condemned-Sharp Discus sion Over City Engineer.

The Board of Trade and Business Mems association held one of the most important meetings in it's history on Thursday evening. Judge Arnold, the president, was in the chair On the question of town tax to be votel at the coming special town meeting, Town Treasurer Frank P. Fenton was the first speaker He thought a five mill tax would he sufficien.
 The Board of Trade voted tc favor a 5 mill tax, with the provision that 1-2 mill should be used towards paying the towns floating indebtedness of about $45.000
 The matter of a new building for the Natchaug school was then discussed Principal Harroun spoke of the poor condition of the present building as to heating, lighting and ventilation. He favored a new modern 14 room build ing for 400 pupils
 Gen. B. s. Boss, agent of the Amer 1can Thread company, the towns heaviest taxpayers, said the present schoolhouse was superannuated, a fire trap and with no proper ventilation He thought the Board of Trade should mot take a dictatoriaI attitude, but could express Its sentiments in favor of a. new and proper school building
 MT. Larrabee and Principal Burr of the Normal school were of the same mind regarding the building.
 ". c. Norris thought the real issue was to secure more practical men to act on the building committee, and w. B. Knight placed stress on the word practical" and he would eliminate doctors and lawyers.
 It was thought 360, ,0O0 would be the cost of a suitable building, and the board voted to favor such measure at the special town meeting next Mon day evening.
 The sharp discussion of the meeting cant when the proposed aInendne ent to the city charter creating the office of city engineer with a life tenure of office unless removed for bad be- hav1Or, was reached
 Alderman Jackson, being questioned, said he knew nothing about the meas ure previous to its coming before the city council. as he was never consulted in advance on matters to come before that body
 MT. Norrissswho brought this matter before the Board of Trade, said that it had passed through the proper 1egisla- tive committee without the citizens of Willimantic being given notice of the hearing.
 President Arnold stated that the measure was now before the senate, but could be tabled and referred back to the council for rehearing
 Attorney s. B. Harvey said it was neither a fair nor Just proposition to make 1t 8 life job.
 Mayor Dunn and Corporation Coun-' gel Kelly were the only two Whitman tic citizens who appeared before the legislative committee. Representative E. Frank Bugbee in vigorous remarks construed this special meeting of the Board of Trade to be a backhanded rap at him, and he wanted the board to come out and fight in the open. He denied knowing anything in advance about the legislative hearing on this measure. but he should have supported it in view of the city councils request He was present at the hearing; but did not speak.
 Town Clerk Fenton did not construe /, 3ofo pointee. MT. Norris was opposed to the life tenure clause, and incidentally expressed his belief in the commission form of government
 The board voted unanimously to ask the city council next Monday evening to request the representatives to nave the measure amended 50 as to elirnfn- ate the life tenure office feature and a committee was appointed to appear at the council meeting and if they re- fuse the boards request the committee is to appear before the legislative com r11ittee on cities and boroughs in sup port of such a change.