Norwich bulletin., 1917-12-27
Town Makes Two Appropriations
Votes $1 900 for Purchase of Wood for Fuel Ne
 eessity-$1ooe Appropriated to Keep Thames River Channel Open-Martin E. Jensen Made Agent of Funds

Wednesday evening at a special town meeting s2.600 was voted to be used in case of emergency to relieve the fuel shortake. One thousand dollars was voted to be used in the purchase of fuel to be resold by the town and an other thousand was appropriated to be used to open the channel of the Thames river should the city be short of coal with the prospect of obtain ing relief through barges being brought up the river.
 The meeting was called to order promptly at eight o'clock by First Se- lectman Caspar K. Bailey. Judge H. H. Pettis was appointed moderator and was given an ovation as he took the chair. Town Clerk Charles S. Hol- brook then read the call for the meet ing. Judge Pettis said that he didr t think it was necessary to say any thing concerning the importance of the matter and then called on Martin E. Jensen, chairman of the local fuel committee of the State Council of De- fense to put the facts of the situation before the meeting.
 An Emergency Action.
 Mir Jensen said that the action was only of an emergency nature and not d move to compete with the local wood dealersS The idea was merely to be ready in case of necessity The town is not committed to any perrnan . ent action and should the present fuel shortage be relieved the town would dispose of any surplus they might have on hand to the local woo.1 dealers. The money appropriated will be used only if occasion arose which placed the town without prospect of fuel.
 Resolutions Presented.
 Joseph E, Tanning then presented the following resolution:
 Resolved That the selectmen be and they hereby are authorized to ap- point Martin E. Jensen, of Norwich. as agent of the town to serve without compensation. for the purpose of se- curing and distributing a sufficient supply Of wood, or other fuel. to meet the needs of the inhabitants of this town during any emergencies Of the present winter season: such fuel to be sold to such residents of the town as may be in actual need Of the same. at cost. under such rules and regulations as shall be made by the said agent and apToved by the selectmen; said agent to keep an accurate account of all his receipts and disbursements and to render a report thereof to the select men whenever called upon
 And be it further Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars (s1,- GOO Gol; be and hereby is appropriated for the purpose of meeting the ex- penees Of tl,is entespriSe; said sum 10 be the written orders of said agent, when approved by the board of select men.
 H. R. BrancIie then presented the following reso7uticn:
 Resolved, That sum of money not to exceed s1 ,0eo be and is hereby ap- propriatef1 by the town of Norwich for the purpose of keeping the Thames River channel open to navigation as a means of protection against further injury arising from still greater shortage of fuel in the town Said sum of money. or any part thereof. to lse used for the purpose hereinbefore mentioned, by and at the discretion of the local fuel committee of the State Council of Defense, Martin E. Jensen, chirrnan and that tie selectmen of the town be and are hereby authoriz- ed to dispense the same at the request of the local fuel committee through it's chairman, Martin E. Jensen. in such sums and at a.ich times as may,