Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1920-03-17
THE SMALL TOWN PROBLEM.

THE SMALL TOWN PROBLEM.
This papers suggestion of a possible
solution of the small town problem by
larger tax units, units which shall in
clude both large and small towns with
a distribution of tax revenue back over
the territory upon a definite basis of
needs but with no town losing its
identity as an independent township,
has brought out much favorable dis
cussion throughout the state.
The Randolph Herald and News,
one of the most ably edited newspa-
pers in Vermont, sees elements of
commentator in the plan. The Rut-
land Herald, one of Vermont's leading
dailies, says there is the germ Of
good idea in the scheme. The Nor
risville Messenger, which advanced a
different idea, admits our plan the
best yet proposed. The Brattleboro
Daily Reformer discusses the plan,
but sticks to its own suggestion of
partitioning up the small towns. The
St. Johnsbury Republican intimates
that it has seen no better plan. The
Burlington Daily Free Press and the
st. Adams Daily Messenger gave
space to the tentative proposition.
A small town correspondent in the
Brattleboro Reformer discusses the
plight of the small town. He admits
to finding fault with all the plans ad
vanced with no suggestion for rem
edy himself, but concludes by saying
that this papers plan is the best of
chose proposed.
The Bennington Daily Banner says
it 'sis greatly interested in the plan,"
In putting our plan into its own
words the Banner says that the
rural towns, without surrendering
their identity and Independent town.
ships, can associate themselves to-
gether In groups to meet the issues of
the times. In furtherance of the
Monitors suggestion The Banner
would inquire if it would not be a
good plan for all the rural towns of
Vermont, say those of thousand
population or less, to send delegates
to conference at some central point
and to undertake to arrive at con-
eerted plan for their future. The
people of the larger towns stand
ready to aid and further movement
Of the sort but do not know where or
how to begin"
To restate this papers plan, it
calls for:
/. A larger tax unit than the town
for road and school purposes. Coun-
ty units are suggested, but districts
mt variance with county border might
he advisable. The main reason for
larger units is to have included in its
borders both large and small towns.
2. Equalization of taxable proper
~ valuations, and like rate assess
ed on all property within the dis
trict
3. Distribution of tax revenue
over the district upon definite basis.
Road money upon mileage basis, with
consideration given to trunk lines
School money upon a basis of schools
maintained, with consideration of the
number of pupils
This plan would leave town lines
and town organizations complete,
would leave purely local affairs for
town administration, would give each
town representation in the legisla-
ture as now, and asks no town to give
up more than every other town is
asked to relinquish.
Upon the hypothesis that the coun-
" was made the unit, little addition
ai organization would be needed be-
cause of county clerk and treasur-
er already in being, county road
commissioner now provided for and
district school men spread over the
entire state.
The project proposes that town
road and school men have some veto
power over plans of the central road
and school authorities, who shall per-
INIT I'm advance tentative program
Tor their work The suggested dis
frict tax rate also comes before each
town meeting for approval. In short
the whole plan calls for proposals hv