TOWN HILL CEMETERY - 1882 | NEW HARTFORD TRIBUNE

PUBLISHED IN THE NEW HARTFORD TRIBUNE FRIDAY OCTOBER 6 1882

Page 2 | Town Meeting.

The annual election of town officers was held at Nepaug last Monday. James Forbes was chosen moderator, and Jason C. Keach, clerk. The voting was moderate at first, but at about eleven o'clock the voters from North Village began to arrive in large loads, and voting and electioneering became spirited. A good many "split tickets" were in circulation in the interests of different candidates. These were handed about in the hope that unwary voters would cast them without scrutiny, but it did not take long for the entire assemblage to find out "what was up" and not a great many were deposited in the ballot boxes without the knowledge of the voter.

A few assistant Democrats, who last year succeeded in defeating at the polls Henry Overton for constable, were on hand with a Republican ticket in which C.O. Holcomb's name was substituted for that of Mr. Overton. This faction worked hard for their scheme all day, but made a humiliating failure of it, for Mr. Overton was elected by a larger vote than was received by any other candidate for constable during the day. Another split was in circulation in the interests of the two candidates for Town Treasurer, Edward M. Chapin being Republican and Dr. Jerry Burwell the Democratic candidates. This was more quietly conducted than the contest for constable, and seemed to take something of a local aspect, Mr. Chapin being a Pine Meadow man while Dr. Burwell [illegible] was elected by about the prevailing majority.

The Board of School Visitors consists of six members, two retiring each year. The two whose offices expire this year are Norman B. Merrill and Rev. F.H. Adams, the clerk and president of the board, respectively. The Democrats having nominated Rev. Luke Fitzsimmons, it seemed necessary that one of the two valuable members should be dropped. The emergency was promptly met by Mr. Leroy C. Evarts, a member of the board, who resigned, that Mr. Adams' name might be placed upon the ticket "to fill vacancy." Thus the three gentlemen last mentioned were elected. Rev. C.W. Colton, of Pine Meadow, receiving a complimentary vote of 58.

The subject of granting licenses to persons to sell liquor, resulted in License Yes—98; No-License, 138. The vote last year being, License—224; No-License—93, making a revolution of 171 in one year against free rum.

The grand result of the election was a Republican majority of about 80. The candidates as given in THE TRIBUNE last week being elected without exception. The Democrats elected were: Alfred E. Merrill, Selectman; John B. Betts and Herman Clark, Registrars of Voters; Dan C. Merrill, Assessor; Henry T. Smith, Board of Relief, and John B. Betts, Auditor.

At the business meeting, which commenced at one o'clock, it was voted to instruct the Selectmen in future to include in their notice the place of holding town meetings. The motion was presented and advocated by Judge Foster, who expressed his object to be the holding of future town meetings in Town Hall. The report of the Board of School Visitors was accepted, and in accordance with a recommendation therein contained, it was voted to increase the appropriation for public schools from $4,500 (of last year) to $4,800. The report was presented by Rev. Frederic H. Adams, President of the Board, who in an eloquent address gave a glowing account of the condition of the schools in the various districts.

In accordance with a petition of John B. Betts, et al, it was voted to lay out a road leading in continuance of what is known as No. 10-st. in Pine Meadow to the Black Bridge road.

The matter of cutting the trees and bushes by the side of the highways, was given into the hands of the selectmen and they were instructed to cut such growth, upon such highways, and in such manner, as in their good judgment they consider for the best interests of the town.

One of the important measures which was introduced and successfully carried through, was a resolution for the indexing of the town records relating to real estate from the incorporation of the town down to the present time. A large and very valuable book for the purpose has been purchased by the selectmen. The Town Clerk was also instructed to copy such of the town record books as are in danger of being lost by wearing out.

The "lay out" of a road leading past the Village Cemetery to Highland Farm, submitted by the selectman, was accepted. This was the result of a vote taken at town meeting last year to instruct the selectmen to lay out said road. There was quite a discussion over this measure, J.B. Foster, J.B. Betts, Caleb C. Goodwin, Fitch W. Burwell and Wm. S. Seymour, being the principal speakers.

The usual tax of 12 mills on the dollar was levied.

A petition signed by Cyrus Yale, H.W. Pitkin, H.A. Kellogg, M.W. Smith and others, was read before the meeting. This petition contained a preamble which set forth that the Town Hill Cemetery being the only one which exclusively belongs to the town, and in which lie buried the early settlers of the town and their descendants for a century and a half, that the momunents over their graves should be preserved and cared for, and the graves and grounds be kept in order. The preamble was attached an act creating the office of superintendent whose duties shall be to keep fences in repair, clean and restore (when necessary) old gravestones, and do all that is necessary to good order in the cemetery.

The superintendent to hold his office until his successor shall be appointed, and on the 1st day of September each year render to the selectmen an account of receipts and expenditures, giving his services without compensation. The act was passed, $50 being appropriated to carry out its provisions, and Mr. Henry A. Kellogg was chosen superintendent. The measure was earnestly advocated by Mr. H.W. Pitkin whose remarks were so clear and forcible that all attempts to befog the matter were unavailing, and the vote upon the question was pronouncedly in its favor.

E.M. Chapin presented before the meeting a statement in relation to his accounts as Town Treasurer, which went to show that the official report of the Auditor, did him injustice as his books, vouchers and funds were always ready for inspection at his office, though he did not feel called upon to take them to the auditor to be thus examined.

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