The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-03-20

Joseph liobsou, - relates to the subject OF thu
High School, and also, In relation to the SUD
ject Of making some arrangement with to-
Trustees Of the Thornton Academy Fund
whereby the pupils that usually attend I'M
| High School can derive some beneht from u 10
connection With that school y = IL = VI
BRIDoEs srRKrrs AND HIGHWAYS.
hecondition Of our bridges, streets, and
highways demands almost constant attention
| In this connection, would refer to the present
condition Of Coles Brook Bridge. The abuf'
I ments have deeayed and render litde support y
| the stringers and covering. II Ii very Iiaol:
to be carried away by the usual rise OF watel
to rebuild this Bridge spd sSu,nsuts mi. sss:
son. The bridge across the Goose Fare Brook
must also be rebuilt. The town way located
on the petition Of Andrew ]. Leayitt and other
the past year, In oil probability must be bull
this season. An appropriation may DO nee
essary for that purpose.
The. jenkins Road. % called having beer
Strengthened and widened, and some new loca'
tons made the past year.-I respectfully rec.
ommend that It DO opened Its full width, 70
paired and rebuilt, % far - the land damages
arc settled: An appropriation J, necessary
for the land damages. also to build the road
The Street Commissioners have not reported
TO the City Council the conditions OF our
bridges, streets, town ways, and highways
therefore, cannot make any recommendation
further then the above.
YIRE DEPARTMENT.
will refer you TO the report OF the Chief
Engineer for details Of the services OF the Fire.
men the past year, the number Of alarms, and
fires, 60.
Permit me to call your attention to the ne
cessity for Reservoir near the City Hall 10
accordance with the recommendation OF the
Chief Engineer also remind you that an en-
CINE company have enlisted to man and work
the Niagara Engine. provided they can be sup;
piled with suitable house for their engine, and
company. The engine Is now stored I under
stand, the hired house where II has been kept
having recently been destroyed by 6re. The
increased number Of fires the past year. imper.
atively demand that the city should be prepsr-
ed for any emergency that may arise. II is
better and much less expensive to be prepared
TO extingush o fire than suffer tho losses that
We are liable to by 1t In not being we'll prepar-
ed to extingush Il.
Our necessities require q suitable engine
house. centrally located, In which to place the
Niagara Engine and Of sufficient size to &C.
rooms for the fremen OF both companies
Your earliest consideration Of this subject isa
necessity which ought not be long postponed.
CITY MARsIALL's REPORT.
The City Marshal has reported to the City
For further particulars thereto, would refer
to his report.
SANITARY AFFAIRS
would call your attention also to the City
Physicians annual report, and that OF the
Board OF Health (when II shall be sent in) for
the details Of the sanitary condition OF the
city.
ovERsEERs OF TIE PcoR.
The Overseers of the poor have made their
annual report of the receipts and expenditures,
but have not reported In detail the condition OF
the city farm, or buildings thereon; nor made
any suggestions In relation to that interest Of
the city, which Is very desirable for the inform
alton of the citizens as well as the City
Council.
COMMON SEWERS AND DRAINS.
From inqu ries made Of the City Clerk, II
appears there has been no action upon the sub
ject Of sewerage the past year II might be
we'll for the City Council TO take an official
walk, and learn by actual observation the con-
diton Of many Of our streets, also the wants
and necessities Of moro efficient System VI
beverage, to improve the sanitary condition OF
the whsle city; by establishing such o system
Of sewerage as will be accessible and valuable
TO tho holders OF the real estate situated In
many localities with imperfect and expensive
facilities for sewerage, many citizens would ut
sewerage, II they could have the privilege OF 1t
MONUMENTS, &C..
Permanent monuments should be placed on
the corners and angles OF our streets, town and
Highways, especially on all locations recently
made, and such others, rs the locations can DO
accurately ascertained. Encroaohments have
been and are continually being made In many
places In the CITY by persons owning property
abutting upon such streets, town and high
ways; many Of these encroachments, are prob.
ably made In consequences OF the want OF
knowledge OF the correct bounds or lines OF
the streets. town and highways. A small out
lay made for this useful and necessary purpose,
would save large amount In the future for
expenses Of litigation or nscertaining the
bounds VI said streets, town and highways, and
prevent In most instances future encroach.
mcnts.
Complaints have been made the past year
that the city have not placed guide boards
upon the corners OF all the town and highways
to remind the City Council OF this matter, and
have no doubt you will remove oil cause OF
complaint Immediately by the proper action
thereon.
THE COMMON.
The land given 70 the town OF Pepperell-
borough by Sir William Pepperell, 1t appears
by the deed dated 1854, was given for various
purposes. . portion OF which Is used. or now
lies rs common. One Of the conditions re-
quired by the donor Was that It should We
fenced with good substantial fence by the
town and maintained thus enclosed forever.
Permit me therefore to call the attention OF the
City Council to this neglect OF the town to
perform that portion OF the contract required
by the donor.
We know not how soon the heirs or represen-
tatiyes of the donor may enter upon and take
possession Of this valuable property. " We do
not take the proper measures to fulhl the con-
ditions required; namely, build and forever
maintain n good substantial fence around the
whole Of Il. would most respectfully recon.
mend the land be surveyed by an engineer,
walks and paths laid out and built, and that
that NORTON Of II which Is low and vet be
underdrsined; and that shade and ornamental
trees be set out upon the same, that II may he
what the donor evidently intended II should
AN ornament to the city. and q pleasing resort
for all its people. In this manner II can be
made by q small outlay instead OF an unsightly
piece Of waste and barren land. q beautiful
Park or Pleasurc-ground. II possesses quail
ties and advantages, which, II improved as
the pride If our city. Thus improved. IL would
enhance the value Of all the property In Its
vicinity, and In few years repay the cost OF
the outlay by the increased taxable value Of
the adjacent property,
All the new cities aud manufacturing places
that have sprung into existence oil over New
England during the past twenty years, have
purchased and set aside many squares OF land
IN different places within their corporate limits
at great expense. and have graded, drained.
fenced the same; and set out shade and orna-
mental trees thereon. and are nov enjoying the
luxury Of them; while We, having the grant OF
the land free, neglect to improve the rich legacy
lpftu.. The city Of Portland In 1866, soon
after the great FIRE secured two acres OF land
within the city. In addition to what they then
hal, at cost OF over SS0.0O0-so much did
they prize the privileges OF 30 small q Pleasure
ground or Park. Why should Saco longer
neglect this desirable public common. and allow
IL to lay at waste, when BY 80 small IN outlay
Il may DO made what tho liberal donor intended
II should be-a play ground for our youths, .
quiet resort for our industrious people, and
beautiful ornament TO our young city.