The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-01-18
Rate Of $3.50 Probable
Water Bonds Must Be
Paid the Present Year
BIG STATE TAX ALSO
DRIVES LOCAL TAX UP
Refund 5 Water Bonds
Cannot ! Certified To
Error : sJyinsl mall Issue

! The necessi = higher tax rate in
j Barre this yel : order to pay an H.
d sue Of $4,000 . ter bonds was pre-
i sented to the \ 4ounci last night in
! the annual message Of Mayor Langley.
1t had been expected that this issue Of
! bonds would be taken up by the issu
: ing Of refunding bonds but when il
came to the point OF certifying the
! bonds it was found that the original
!, issue many years ago was not made
according to the stipulation Of the city
: charter which requires retirement Of
water bonds in annual installments.
/, hence, the advisability OF raising mon
ey to pay up the issue when it comes
/, due July |, 1922. This, and the extra
state tax Of 20 cents, means tax rate
of $4, or perhaps $500, instead Of $3.50
as at present.
In the course Of his message. Mayor
Langley points out that during the
past year $4,000 of outstanding notes
and bonds was taken up by the city.
about $4,000 Of the amount being paid
out Of the past years tax receipts.
/ Urgent need of increased water sup
iply was emphasized; and the complete
metering of the city was recommended
Consolidation of the school system
by closing one or more Of the school
buildings is urged as a means to great
ler economy in administration Of the
city.
The mayors message in full il as
follows:
To the Citizens Of Barre:
! The chief accomplishment Of vour
city government in 1921 was, perhaps,
the easing of the burden OF local taxa
tion with reduction Of 50 cents on
each dollar of the grand list over the
rates of the previous year, and while
bringing about this result the city has
also taken up $4,000 of its outstand
ing notes and bonds. This reduction of
debt included $4,000 of water bonds.
81 900 street paving notes and $4,000
bridge notes. About S35. 900 of this re-
duction in debt wGs paid out of the
years tax receipts. While the city has
reduced its debt in the past year BY
$4,000. it will be called upon in the
year ahead to retire $4,000 OF water
bonds, in addition to $1,000 Of South
Main street paving notes and the YEAR
was planned 10 refund this issue OF
100000 water bonds, due July ] 1922.
but after having advertised for bids
on the same, the point was raised that
the original issue had not been issued
according TO the provisions of the
charter which calls for the payment of
water bonds in annual installments
and further that no provision is made
in the charter for refunding water
bonds. How this issue ever got by no
one seems able to explain, but it did
and the total issue now comes due and
must be paid
Because Of this extra amount Of debt
10 care for and an increase of 20 cents
,n the dollar in the state tax, higher
AK rate will be required to carry the
,ity through 1922 With careful man
lgement the rate can be kept at s4 and
possibly at $500
Our Water System.
The city water system needs greater
evenue if il IL ever to get beyond be-
ne a source of expense to the city's
axpayers. Being required to pay by
irect taxation in two years 900 of
he departments debt doesn't speak
Tell for the finances of the department.
he income should be sufficient to pro-
ide sinking fund for the retirement
its indebtedness and at the same
me keep the plant in condition. Right
ow an additional reservoir is needed
, furnish theSwater used under nor
lal conditions in Barre. The old ce-
ent line between the reducing cham
sr on the East Barre road and the city
,undary on the same road is fast GO
e to pieces and needs replacing. There
ere three breaks in this pipe in 1921,
ie to deterioration. About 800 feet
this line has already been replaced
it'll iron pipe but at least 1000 feet
new pipe should be put in annually
ID then il will take l3 years to re-
ace it all. il il holds out that length
time. The water department In
allied $50 new meters in 1921 and
ans to put in as many more in 1922.
this rate Of installation il win be
out FIVE years before the city water
rviees are all on meters. Early in
2l move was made 20 make a ma
-ial increase in the water rates 10
ante plants. Because Of conditions
the industry it was thought best TO y
sy a little, but new and materially
reased rafes should be put in effect
coming year. 1 thoroughly belleNe
nv granite plant should be put on
tiers the same as dwellings. blocks
/ other industrial users Checking
granite plants, or warnings againt
ste. do not seem 10 have any effect
/ the only thing that win bring
,ut q stoppage Of waste is tho in
ilafion of meters.
| suif brought by the town Of Or
.e 20 enforce collections Of taxes On
city's reservoir and pipe lines in
I town. was decided in favor of tic
hy the supreme court of the stat&
Our Streets
he permanent rosdbed vas extend
go feet On North Main street and
feet on south Main street in 1921.
riv loo feet ~ cement sidewalks
constructed and nearly tuu miles
hiehusy resurfscrd- With the ex-
ion 81 - coo. al street paving lad
BARRE j. paid 20 and IRE work -
.ndinr cur permanent streets shou
cunfirued. The street departmr-s
- the year adde5 10 ss cquipmcus
actor. nsv street sweeper and
cement mixer
ss cuniracf pitk ths Montpelier a
fCcuiirusd cz Secord rsrs