Norwich bulletin., 1916-09-22

 ing to those interested a concise state nent of the business of the town for the past year, as well as a statement of the estimated expenditures and re- ceipts for next year, should the recom- mendations of the board be approved by the voters.
 The various highways of the town have been given considerable attention and it is believed that they are in good condition at the present time. Quite a little work in the way of re- pairs has been necessary on the vari- ous bridges and rnore will be necessary the coming year, including a new bridge at the foot of Sherman street, as the condition of the present bridge a tthis point is such as to make fur ther attempts at repair inadvisaple.
 The inmates of the almshouse have been well cared for during the past year under the Eapervision of the manager, MT. Chapman, and his as- sistant, and the general health and conduct of the inmates has been good. As there are many calls on the board during the year for f1rewood to be fur nished those receiving help through the outside poor department, a num- Der of loads of cord wood were deliv- cred at the al1nshouse. This wood was cut and split by those of the inmates who were able to perform manual la Dor and delivered from there to those needing it. By this method the cost
 
 of the inmates at the alrnshouse were given needed occupation. This work was willingly done by those called upon for the service, and their help in this matter, as well as about the farm and buildings, is much appreciated by the | management and by the board. About $25C was expended in the erection of a tool house for the storage of the towns tools and apparatus and repairs l to the stable. The house for patients suffering from contagious disease has ] been fully repaired and modernized. | The coal bill for the coming year at the | almshouse has been already paid. The expenditures for the outside 1 poor, insane and dependent and neg | lected children's departments have been carefully guarded and kept at as l low a point as was considered con- | sistent with proper care for those Un l fortunates as well as for the interests | oe the taxpayers.
 1 Owing to the epidemic of infantile | paralysis which has affected this and | other states, a certain amount of ex- | pense was necessarily incurred in pro- i vidfng quarantine guards, etc. That 1 the quarantine was so effectual, con- | sidering the difficulty of it's enforce ment, is a cause of congratulation for 1 all when it is considered how severely some other towns have been afflicted
 Town Debt Reduced.
 During the past year the town debt | has been decrea sed S3,13123. That this amount is smaller than in some previ- ] ous years is principally due to the | necessity of charging off a number of | taxes which had been abated in previ- | ous years, which matter is more fully shown in the report of the town treas i urer. On the other hand, the town has at present cash balance to it's | credit of S10,661.04, while the balance a, tthe commencement of the year was but $3,234,S9. This balance would be even larger had it not been necessary | at the commencement of the year to 1 pay several bills carried over from | previous years, notably one of nearly $1 800
 The board will ask this year for an amount equal to a tax of five mills to i cover the towns estimated expense, this being about one-fourth mill less than was asked and granted last year 1 This sum, of course. includes the state tax, sinking fund and payment to the city on account of the highways, these three items together amounting to a sum equal to about three and two sevenths mills.
 Tn addition to the above, the esti- 1 mates of the school committee, ii granted. will call for further tax o1 six mills, one fourth mill less thar last year. This with the sums asked 1 for by the board, will make a total taE rate of eleven mills, which is recon mended. Should additional appropria- tions be made in accordance with sucf petitions as may be presented fol | consideration by the annual towI meeting. it will, of course, be neces. sary to law a tax at a greater rate. Estimated Expenses and Receipts. The following is a statement of the estimated expenses and receipts of the l +rorry Po5~ 41,oo ,,-e and submitted by your board:
 Estimated Expenses.