In 1881, Brattleboro taxes, bonds, and debts were an issue. Read on for a letter to the editor on the subject by Levi Fuller, a noted member of the Estey Organ Company and governor of Vermont.…
Taxation in Brattleboro
“What shall the tax of Brattleboro be this year?” is a question asked by many. The completion of the grand list furnishes the necessary information. An examination of the town auditor’s report (page 21) shows the expenses, outside of the reduction of debt or extraordinary repairs upon highways, to be estimated at $8,773, and for this sum the auditors report sufficient resources already provided.
For the purpose of taxation the auditors recommend the raising of a sum sufficient to pay $5,000 on the railroad bonds, $5,000 on the town debt, (which has been incurred for highway purposes), and $2,000 for extraordinary repairs on highways and bridges; making in all $12,000, which would necessitate a tax of 60 cents on the old list.
Do we need to raise so large a sum? I say not. It is entirely unnecessary to make the appropriation for highways and bridges, but it is necessary to provide for the $5,000 railroad bonds due next February. The remaining portion, having originally been incurred by reason of repairs upon highways, can in my judgement be supplied from the usual highway money. The highway tax of this year will be $8,441. Cash in hands of the collector $1,679, making a total of $10,120. Last year there was laid out for the ordinary work upon highways $4500, exclusive of West river or iron bridge, or old bills of ‘79. I am told by good judges that less work will be required this year.
Assuming, then, that $4,000 will be sufficient, $5,000 can be applied as indicated, upon the debt previously incurred for highways. leaving $1120 in the surveyor’s hands for contingent expenses. The grand list of the town is $33,765. A tax of 20 cents will raise $6,753, a sum sufficient to pay the $5,000 railroad bonds and leave a balance of $1753 in the town treasury. With no freshets or other calamity, but with prudence and economy, a tax of 20 cents is all that is necessary to supply the qwants of the town and enable the officials to reduce the debt as shown, $10,000.
Levi K. Fuller
