The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-04-22

ANNUAL REPORT
Will Be Issued Tomorrow
Preparatory to Viii
age Meeting
PLAN INCREASED
PAY TO FIREMEN
Traffic Conditions May Necessitate
Shifting Police Schedule = 45-Cent
Tax Rate Recommended with View
to Continuing Reduction of Debt.


BY tomorrow ii is expected that
printed copies of the annual village re-
port viii be ready to be placed in the
hands of the voters, for their perusal
before the annual meeting. which will
be held in Festival hall Tuesday even,
ing, May 4, at S O'Clock The warrant
for the meeting, which will contain
several new articles, will be issued to-
morrow afternoon or Saturday.
Following is the report, complete, of
the commissioners:
The commissioners submit herewith
their report of the financial conditions
of the village for the year ending May
l, 1920
On May l, 1919, the liabilities, of the
village amounted to $500. We have
, reduced this amount one thousand dol
lars, leaving debt at the present time
of $4,000
| The past year has not been as favor
| able as the two preceding years for -e-
ducing the Indebtedness, owing to the
extreme high cost of all materials and
| wages. We have been obliged TO meet
an unexpected expenditure in cohnec-
ton with the fire alarm system and
the village teams have earned less
than last year. In view of the many
difficulties TO contend with, we feel that
/ the village is fortunate in being able
| TO make substantial reduction of its
Indebtedness We advise continuance
of the policy of reduction until the en-
tire debt is extinguished. All of the
village departments have been conduct
ed with little difficulty during the year.
All expenses have been paid.
Fire Department-The equipment of
the fire department is practically the
same as last year. We are maintain
ing two teams equipped for road work
and for sprinkhng requirements.
The Ire alarm system still needs
some attention TO put it into first class
condition but all materials and equip
ment necessary for that purpose have
been ordered and the system viii be
put into the best of condition at an
early date.
Il The fifty paid men of the depart
g ment are receiving $50 per year. Con
ditions are such that the men should
T be paid more than they are now re-
5 ceiving and we submit to the voter.
. the question If the paw of the rler
should raised to $50 per year During
o the past year we have experienced
: | considerable difficulty in securing fire
I men and it has been only with the hop,
: of increased pay that many now sub
ject TO call have remained with III,
- department.
q Police Department-During the pas
year we have maintained force o.
. three permanent policemen, ,one To-
: day work and two for night duty In
= creased traffic difficulties during th
= automobile season may necessitate
shifting of the force so as to take ear
of traffic conditions during the cIow6e,
hours of the day. We have been ex
tremely fortunate in keeping the mel
at reasonably small pay.
Village Bylaws and Ordinances
" Experience with situations as the,
have arisen indicate that eertail
changes and additions are needed t
er make the village bylaws and ord
" nances fully effective We are, there
n.
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