Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-03-28
HURRY CALL SENT
FOR ALDERMAN
Meeting Held Up an Hour Wait.
ing for a Quorum-Electric
Light Matter Finally Passed
along to New Board for Final
Action.

"A man. man. Ye gods, give US an
alderman"
Such was the cry Of the lone half -dozen
aldermanic souls gathered in the official
chamber for the conduct Of the city's
business last night and for more an hour |
the fate Of the aldermen's meeting lay at
stake in the finding Of one more alder !
man to make a quorum. Telephone calls
galore we're sent to several missing MEM
bers One was in bed, another was out.
another had sickness and one was work. |
ing.
Mayor J. Holmes jackson saved the day
by telephoning to the Vermont Milk
Chocolate company's plant and getting
permission for Alderman Edward b.
Bessette to come up to the meeting SO that
the business could be transacted.
The permission was granted and the
police ambulance went down and brought
up the lacking quorum in the person of
Alderman Bessette in Just 20 minutes
time, the machine starting at S:13 and ar
irving back at 1888. In the absence Of
President Eugene A. Luck. Arthur G.
Mansur was elected chairman Of the meet
ing.
A report was read from the SUPER
intendent Of streets. ]. W. Coffey. and the
city engineer, ]. H. Sinclair, in reference
to a sewer encasement which was erected
by the Rutland railroad in agreement
with the city. for which the city would
pay loo. The report was accepted and a
resolution providing for the payment Of
the debt was adopted.
The most important item scheduled to
come up before the board did come up but
was passed for one week in order to let
the new aldermanic board take charge Of
the matter.
That was the lighting contract with the
Burlington Light & Power Co., which
expires on April Z. The electric light
commissioners, Frank c. Lyon and A. H.
Duhamel, submitted report, as did the
committee from the aldermen. consist
| ing of c. L. Woodbury., Charles Caise
and c. L. Dolan. In the report of the
latter. which was read by Mr.. Woodbury.,
1t was brought out that the cheapest
contract submitted was from the Bur-
lington Light & Power Co.. at a rate
Of one cent per kilowatt, but the con-
| tract had to be signed for ten years
Alderman Hall asked Alderman Wood
bury II the city attorney had seen the
contract and Alderman Woodbury. re-
piled mo. unless the light commissioners
have shown 1t to him." Mr.. Lyon said
I the contract had not been shown to the
city attorney. Mayor jackson asked
Mr.. Lyon II the Burlington Light &
Power Co. would extend the present ar
rangement for the month of April and
Mr.. Lyon said Judge Darling declined to
do SO. Alderman Bergeron asked IL the
company would continue the present
arrangement one year and Mr.. Lyon
said he thought 1t would. The present
price is one and one-quarter cents per
kilowatt. Two other concerns wanted a
cent and a quarter per kilowatt. with a
number Of conditions not favorable to
the city. 1t was finally decided to let
the new board of aldermen handle the
matter as the present contract does not
expire until after the new board con.
| venes.
The Knights Of Columbus was granted
permission to hang an electric sign with
the two letters TX. c." over the side
walk In front Of their rooms at ~ Church
street. subject to the rules and regula
lions prescribed by law.
Building. Inspector Charles Whitney APP
peared before the board for instructions
regarding a permit which he refused to
grant to the Strong Hardware company
to finish the construction Of their build
ing which Is located on King street anG
which was partially destroyed by fire
committee Of three aldermen will b.
; named to investigate the matter.
Following that action the board ad
? journed.