The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-02-02
City Council Acts on Hear
ing Annual Report of
the Auditors
UP ACCOUNTS 2
FORMER COLI r NS,,'nS
The Finance Committee and
City Attorney Ordered
to Investigate

Out Of the far back pages Of history IN
city affairs two former collectors were
dragged forth into the limelight last
night when the auditors, in making their
annual report to the city council includ-
ed in list of the city's obligations SUBJ
Joined to their findings, references to all
legged collected taxes unpaid to the city
treasurer by w. II. Buchanan and J. +.
Coutts To some of the fedglings in the
administration, the statement that such
accounts, dating back as far as 1899,
were being carried along on the city
books from year to year, came as dis
agreeable revelation, it appeared, and
steps were taken to have the matter
thoroughly sifted by the finance COM
mittee and the city attorney
Last among large number OF yearly
reports ratified by the council was the
statement of the auditors. The list OF
obligations appended to the report in
$500 900, city bonds amounting to Sl9l,-
600, city notes which totaled $l4,04l.65,
rents on city property and bills due
amounting to S766.46, Central Vermont
railroad taxes, held pending supreme
court decision, which aggregate Sls3.3S,
money amounting to $50, due from the
old Vermont Granite Co. on the river
change account, assessments due, includ-
ing street sprinkling, permanent streets,
sidewalk, sewer and river bed change,
amounting to S2,97l.6 and delinquent
tax accounts.
Most OF the concern was manifested
over the accounts of Messrs. Buchanan
and Coutts. OF Mr.. Coutts' alleged nm.
paid accounts of Sl23.3l, it was said that
the ex-collector claimed reeompense
enough from the city by errors on the
grand list in the years 1908 and 1904 to
offset any and all of his obligations to
the city. It was set up by Mr.. Coutts,
an old timer agreed, that the matter
had never been fully settled as to how
the finances stand between the former
collector and the city.
Mr.. Buchanan, for his part, did not
fare so well from those who testified last
night for the benefit of the members who
professed to know nothing of the circum-
stances. II was declared that a much
larger sum paid the collector, for some
reason or another had never been turned
over. Alderman Cook thought the condi-
tions called loudly for thorough inves
tipatiou He couldn't believe that it IS
good business policy for the city to carry
along such accounts, and to support his
contention he moved that the accounts
against ex-Collectors buchanan and
Coutts be given TO the city attorney with
Instructions to collect Alderman Ban
croft was for seconding the nation with
the amendment that the city attorney be
asked 90 investigate. rather than to col
lect. Mr.. Cook did not give assent to
the amendment and his motion was not
seconded Alderman keast moved that
the accounts be referred TO the fnants
committee and attorney 60 investigate
and report His motion prevailed by
unanimous vote.
prefacing the statistical portions Of
the auditors report, signed by w. =.
Marion. Alfred Healey aud d. J. Sulli-
van. Is this statement. I'VE. the under
signed auditors OF the city of Barre, here
with submit our report for the year end
ing Dec. 81. 1914. We have carefully
examined the books and accounts Of the
city clerk and treasurer, water depart
meut. school commissioners, school treas
urrr. library committee. trustee Of ceme-
terV funds. cemetery commissioners,
overseer Of the poor. park commissioners
aud sinking fund and end them correctly
balanced and an expenditure properly
vouched for The report was accepted
for printing
Temporary Loan for s47,soo.
A resolution authorizing the mayor,
the treasurer and the Chairman 81 the
finance committee to negotiate tenn
rorarv loan Of st7 .sno was read by the
elerk and passed % q second reading.
TIE iaan b. 20 b. made in anticipation
nf the 1915 taxes and gates payable Aug.
l0 Igls. are % le EiHFn.
0n tfe favorable recommend n Build
ne Inspector Rand. hifs. = ". Nichols
vas given permission e. make repairs On
hrr rrarfftf Of Gs.67 ~oHth Main street.
fsr h8u=r having hesn damaged rfoeHtlf
tr fna Ihf Inspector report for Jaw
uavr containing references 90 i've minor
raYmsts Hrnrted was acfrted and or.
8sfea Sled
Psynz for Burial ans Birth csrtifcstss
Tarssrians sfrfans ani others had
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ra-f fafas sffT0tfi ~ la aFns.rt n1Hcr9
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