The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-10-19
TOWN OFFICIALS OF BEDDING MAY
 GET BETTER PAY
Finance Committee Does Thorough Work Except
 Overlooking $2,5OO Item

W. AASSkAAAAS YAS0OO 4VOxl
 Redding. Oct. 19-The new finance committee appointed at the annual town meeting to make up a budget of estimates as a guide to the voting of appropriations for the ensuing year met on Monday evening and complet- ed it's report. The committee consists of First Selectman Osborn, Town Clerk Sanford, Town Treasurer Hill, School Committee Chairman Pinkney. D. s. Sanford, Michael Connery, E. P. Sanford, Charles Sanford and William A. Lounsbury. An adjourned town meeting to be held on Saturday after noon ow this week may vote the esti- mates as submitted into appropria- tions or amend them at its pleasure. The increases in salaries of officials which the committee recommends stands out as the feature of its work likely to attract the most attention. These increases are: First selectman to $200 from $75; first and second se- lectmAx1 $100 each from $70 and $65 respectively; town treasurer. $125 from $75; town clerk, $150 from $50. In thS case of the latter official, how eyer, it is provided that he shall act as clerk at all town meetings and also serve as clerk to the board of select men, this position now being held by an outsider at a salary of $50.
 Opposition to some if not all of theeo raises may be expectel to de- velop. It will doubtless be pointed out that under the road contract sys- tenn, to continue two years longer, the selectmen are called upon to do much less than when they had to look after the highways. They hold 12 regular meetings year and therefore at the present rate of pay receive about s6 per meeting. Of course they are fre- quently called upon to do investigat- ing and other outside work aside from attendance at their regular sessions. Will increased compensation insure increased competency and better ser vice? is a pertinent question. Possi- bly,, although many would hesitate to answer in the affirmative. On the contrary they may apprehend that the greater attractiveness of the offfce of selectman due to the higher pay will make it more eagerly sought foc because ofl the money there is in it and that as result incumbents Of lessSS rather than greater capability are likely to capture the prize. Most citizens will probably feel that $125 is not too much. to pay for the ser- vices of a competent town treasurer. In the case of thet own clerk the ad- ditiona1 duties imposed furnish good reason for an increase. It may be said in general that heretofore Red- ding has been niggardly rather than extravagant in the compensation of it's officials.
 Two other recommendations by the committee are important. One is the setting aside of s1.00O towards the re- duction of the permanent debt and the other that sluiceways and the smaller bridges shall be reconstructed of concrete when in need of replace ment. Concrete construction costs only little more and is much more durable It was also voted that the committee have power to transfer un- expended balances from one depart ment to another as occasion therefor arises. For schools the estimate was to $6.700. This increase of s700 over last years appropriate is mostly call- ed for by the greater cost of operating the new Georgetown school. The road repair contract calls for $5OOO and the committee also recommends 900 extra for permanent work on roads, $100 for snSX removal, $1,500 for paupers and $500 for interest on the bonded debt. The other items of the budget follow closely on last years expenditures. For some reason, an oversight probably, the committee failed to provide for the payment of nearly $2,500 due on. account of the recently built Georgetown bridge. Their budget totals $2l,169 and a 12- mill tax on the last grand list would raise about that amount, although the committee do not recommend any particular rate. Selectman Osborn ia chairman of the Icc mmittee and B. F.. Sanford clerks.
 Except for the transfer of title Miss Virginia Runyon of New York has sold her property at Pine Tree corner, fer
 meriy the Eph Beers place, to Luuls
 Held of Bridgeport for about s4,0O0. Upon acquiring the property several years ago she had the ancient house remodeled andN considerably enlarged and also put in a water supply pumped
 by windmill. There are about 20 acres of land. MT. Held is also nego- tiating for tho adjoining property own ed by Charles Gilbert of Easton, and comprising house, large barn and 40 acres. The owners price has been $3,500. Should MT. Held become the owner of both places 1t is understood to be his intention to engage in pouI- try raising on the Gilbert place and to establish a store at the Runyon place. Carrying out the program arranged for it the Republican, caucus last Fri day evening named Samuel C. Shaw and Herbert s. Barnes as representa- tive candidates. No other names were
 mentioned. For his last two terms, covering four years, the Republicans had made J. B. Sanford, the Demo- | cratic incumbent Of the office, their candidate for judge or probate. On | Friday evening one of the 19 in at tendance urged that the ticket be
 made straight throughout and the sub- sequent ballot gave Judge Sanford II
 votes and John Muennich seven. The latter was not present and did not desire the nomination or the office Judge Sanford's nomination was made unanimous. The justice of the peace candidates are E. A. Pinkney, F. A.
 Judd, Marcus H. Burr, John Muennich and Dr. T. H. Smith. All are new l men for the position with the excep- ton of MT. Pinkney.