City of Newport v. Town of Glover

This cause arises out of a claim for reimbursement for expenses paid for the relief of a hospitalized indigent transient under the “Municipal Poor Relief” laws, 33 V.S.A. Chapter 15, Subchapter 4. To provide a background for the factual situation presented to this Court, a review of the “Municipal Poor Relief” laws is in order.

If an indigent transient became ill or injured and had to be confined to a hospital, the expense of providing relief for that transient fell first upon the hospital wherein the transient was confined. 33 V.S.A. § 821. However, the hospital could give notice to the…