The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-02-19
BENTON PROPERTY
IS SITE FOR NEW
HIGH SCHOOL
Resolution Adopted at Special
Meeting Last Night
C0NSID GRAFTON $500
Trustees Are Authorized to Borrow
Money for I, ? and Years at
4La Per Cent Interest.

It was voted unanimously to au-
thorize the board Of trustees OF the
graded school district to purchase
the Benton property, so called on Main
street as a site for a high school build
ing for the sum of $500, at the spec
ial adjourned meeting called for the
purpose in the assembly room cf the
high school Tuesday evening. Ehere
was a large attendance OF both men
and women. The resolution, as In
troduced by Harrison !. Norton and
amended by E. l.. Bates, was adopted
as follows:
Resolved: That the trustees OF
the Bennington graded school oistllct
be and they hereby are authorized or
empowered to purchase for or in the
name of said Bennington graded
school district as site for a high
school building, the real estate and
property situated on the nor'h side
of Main street in the village of Ben
ington now owned by Olin Scott and
commonly called the Benton proper
ty, together with that portion OF the
Cushman property adjacent on the
west bounded by line sixty teet
west of the west line OF said Benton
property, extending northerly from
said Main street parallel with the
west line of said Benton property and
extending to the north line OF said
Cushman property, for the sum OF
$500 upon the delivery of deed or
deeds of said premises, conveying TO
said Bennington graded school dis
trict its successors or assigns, the
fee simple in possession, freed and
discharged from all membranes
whatever, and without any restric-
lions or limitations as to the use or
occupancy of the lands so conveyed,
excepting, however, that the rights
now owned by Olin Scott and others
in respect of the water privilege, ex-
tending in and over said to be con-
veyed premises may be exempted and
reserved in the deed or deed of con-
veyance OF said lands contemplated
by this resolution"
Another resolution offered by Z. l..
Bates authorizing the board of trus-
tees to borrow $500, payable in one,
two and three years in equal
amounts at 41s per cent interest, was
also unanimously adopted
w. B. Sheldon, moderator. presided
and NJ. B. Morgan, clerk was in at
tendance. H. H. Webster, chairman
of the board of trustees made the an
nouncement that since the last meet
ing, the property of Mrs. F. S.
Squires on North street had been Of
fered. for the consideration OF
SIG, 900.
The report of the board of trustees
made at the meeting in January was
called for by C. S. Perry and read
by the clerk as was also the resolu-
ton OF Harrison /. Norton introduced
at the same time, authorizing the pur-
chase Of the Benton property.
The point as to the options includ-
ed in Mr.. Norton's resolution was
cleared up by H. H. Webster. David
Robinson objected to the Benton site
on the ground that it was not suit
able for a school building because OF
the close proximity of the DIN Scott
machine shop, and that ii seemed
more advisable to him to purchase
the site on Gage street, for a smaller
put Nilt NANia INV
the building. rather than into the
site.
Harrison l. Norton called attention
to the splendid opportunity the town
had in building on Main street to ad-
vertise the town. Here II would be
in full view of tourists and those
travelling on the North Adams cars
and would do more to advertise Ben
nington as a progressive. up to date
town, that Il would tucked of on
some side street. Ii would not only
act as a medium OF advertising, but
would help to beautify the town and
would, as a modern, well equipped
building, stand as an incentive TO
pupils / the grades, to do better work
in order the sooner TO enjoy its privi-
leges.
AS first read, Mr.. Bates amend
ment to Mr.. Norton's resolution con-
tanned the words, "for high school
purposes only" and this was objected !
to by Mr. Norton. who thought the
broader term of civic purposes
should be substituted.
III. II. Webster also objected to
this phrase on the ground that II
might bar the pupils in the graded |
schools from taking manual training /
in the new building. E. J. Hall also |
objected and said the better term
would be school purposes. Mr.
Webster objected to this term, as be
ing too limited and said he was OF
the opinion that the assembly room
should be used Tor community pur-
poses.
Rev. G. s. Mills offered the amend
meut so as to read for educational
purposes only" which was objected
to BY Mr.. Bates. as being too broad
a term.
Merritt B. Morgan said he thought
the use of the building should be left
10 the discretion OF the trustees. G.
\. Powers was in favor OF striking
ont the clause for high school pur-
poses only" +. J. Hall objected TO
wasting time discussing this point,
as he understood the district had the
mower to change the reading at any
further time II il saw 1T
e. ]. Holden opposed limiting thS |
use Of the building, as be thought the |
generations 70 come could be trusted