The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-08-17

NermonterS who are interested in the
| problems of local government must have
| been impressed by the recent news item
which announced that the municipal
manager form of government would be
continued in Springfield because it had
| proved its worth. This statement was
evoked by the resignation of John b.
! Wright, who has managed the affairs of
| Springfield since that municipal corpora
ton gained the distinction of being the
| first in the state to place its business in
the hands of an expert Mr. Wright
went to Springfield from Keene, n. III.
He is a civil engineer who before coming
to Vermont had gained experience in
| municipal administration. His resigna-
ton is to take effect any time before
January, 1928: and the selectmen and
village trustees have offered the position
to r. NJ. Wilcomb, the present town and
village treasurer.
The road of the municipal manager
in Springfield was not an easy one to
| travel Soon after Mr.. Wright's ar
rival opposition developed which, at
| times, took serious aspect. Many
/ looked upon this new form of govern
ment as fad transplanted from the
! outside world which would not long en-
| dure in conservative Vermont. As time
/ went on, however. and it was demon
| strated that a real saving was effected
| the opposition began to fade away. To-
! day the system seems to be a fixture in
| Springfield 1t is interesting TO note
| that the balance sheet for the year 1921
| showed a cash balance Of &43.S69S0 !;
| and that the towns debt has been de-
| creased $50, 25614 during Mr.. Wright
regime Prior to the adoption of the
| new form of government the debt of the
| town had steadily increased. This is a
| real achievement and shows what can
| be done when the same principles which
govern the business corporation are ap-
| piled to the municipal corporation.
The experience of Springfield merely
| confirms the evidence from other places.
| Rarely has there been an attempt to
! abolish the municipal manager system,
| once it has been adopted. 1t is reason
able to believe that any city or town in
| Vermont having a population of 5000
/ CT HiOIe MOuIu Hlu IL advantageous "
| adopt this business-like way of conduct
! ing its municipal affairs. 1t is not inn
possible that it would be feasible for the
community of 5000 or 1000 people, but
| to argue for this form of government in
1 a smaller place would be like arguing
| for a large scale production machine in
a one-man shop. Common sense must
| lead us to the conclusion that there are
barely a dozen places in Vermont where
the municipal manager form of govern
ment would be fairly sure of success,
with an open question about a score or
SO of others.
1t is not difficult matter for any
wn or village to adopt the municipal
manager form of government under the
| authority of the General Laws of Yer
mont. A city is not recognized in the
enabling statute and would be obliged to
app1v - tho legislature to change its
form of government if its charter con-
tains no provision for a city manager.
st. Adams is operating under the city
manager plan of government by virtue of
its charter The town or the incorpo-
rated village. however, may adopt the
system by voting so to do in an annual
or special meeting provided that an arti-
Gle to that effect has been inserted in