Connecticut western news., 1917-10-04
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Question of Better Water Causes
 Lengthy Discussion.

The annual meeting of the Town ot North Canaan, was called to order by Town Clerk Allyn Fuller, at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon. Wallace Canfeld was nominated as moderator, but de- clined, and after other nominations were made and declined, John B. Reed was chosen moderator. Town Clerk Fuller read the warning, after which MT. Reed took up the town report and explained sections of it. On motiod of Wallace Garfield the report was ae cepted as submitted
 MT. Reed then stated that in conn pliance with the new law, the select men had printed budget or estimated amount of the running expenses of the town for the ensuing year. While this estimate is slightly higher than the amount used during the past year, 1t is very evident that with prices on every commodity mounting daily, town expenses will also be higher. V
 Due to the budget system it was un7 necessary to make specific appropria- tion for roads and bridges, and various other items, as in years past. It was voted to appropriate $50 for Memorial Day, $200 for the district nurse, and $200 for Douglas Library; these items not being included in the budget. It was voted also to appropriate SIS, 900 for schools, $500 more than last year.
 In regard to the laying of taxes, 1t was voted to adjourn this meeting to. the first Monday in March. 1918. and take whatever action should be neces- sary at that time. MT Reed then stated that there were about $700 in uncol. lected taxes due on the collectors bond for the year 1910, which the selectmen were anxious to take off the books. Considerable of this amount was not collected because many of these men left town and others were not liable for personal tax. The moderator also stated that the collector had as yet re { ceived no compensation for collecting the taxes for that yer, and read rese- lution giving said collector Sl00 and half of the outstandi K taxes, of which about 20 per cent are coliectableS>
 The resolution was adopted and.the motion carried.
 The next item of the warning wasin regard to the pollutlon of the water supply. A lively discu sion followed in which many preseat took parts die cussiI g not only rbe Tscllution of2ss .1rE water, but the air, as well, by the chemical from the factory at East Ga. naan. Resolutions were presented by. Wallace Garfield. requesting the select men as a committee to take the neces- sary action to see that the town was supplied with good water, as we'll as removing or correcting public nui- sance, in the form of an unbearable odor from the chemical factory.
 Dr. Cobb stated that it was quite impossible for the selectmen to do jus. tice to this work, and that he was in favor of special committee of three men, among them a doctor, who we, @ competent to handle such an undertak- ing He also stated that the analysis showed rather high per cent of chIo- ride, which would necessarily indicate pollution. The normal percentage of chlorine in the water from the we'll is 1.2 and the analysis shows Is. 6 higher than normal, while water taken from the Blackberry river, which would naturally be supposed to contain high percentage of chloride, contains only 2.2.
 After several had tried to simplify the procedure, pr. Adam made an amendment to MT. Canfeld's motion which gave more power to committee of three, to take any necessary action in connection with both the Water company and the Barnum 6 Richard son company, as we'll as dealing di- rectly with the public as representa- tives of the town, on the water ques. tion. The committee consists of Dr. F. H. Lee, Hon. E. l.. Roberts and Lester Adam.
 There were three ladies present, none of them entering into the discus. sion and leaving before the meeting adjourned. Many of the men, also weary of the length of the meeting, left before adjournment.