The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-03-25
Balance unexpended.
Sl.OlO u

Balance unexpended. si'piVV W
1t will be observed that In few Of the &C
counts the net expenditures have exceeded the
income, most Of the excess being In the account
Of oyerlayings, against which the attachments
are chargeabe, and in the reservoir account.
There was assessed for oyerlsyings the sum Of
81 ,l9l.33, being less than IL per cent. Of the
tax committed, which amount proved to be
wholly inadequate TO meet the attachments oil
lowed by the Assessors. The Attachments last
year were much larger than usual, owing to a
decision Of the Supreme Court, which declared
in substance that municipal taxes on the invest
ments Of savings institutions In personal property
were illegal and void. As the Saco aud Biddo-
ford Savings Institution was taxed for about
$500 on property Of this description before that
decision was known, IL became Necessary to
abate it and save that amount from the general
appropriations. This, with the usual abate-
merits, exceeded the overlayings the amounts
stated.
In the month Of May, when the annual APP
preparations were made, there was appropriated
for reservoirs the sum of $500. Subsequently
in the month Of August the City Council in ac-
corlance with the recommendation Of the Engi-
neers of the Fire Department for years past, or
dered large Reservoir built near the City Hall,
and ordered transferred from the appropriation
for Contingent Expenses $500 90 and from the
appropriation for Side Walks und Cross Walks
$500 90, to the appropriation for Reservoirs.
leaving TO the credit Of the accounts from which
these transfers were ordered sum supposed TO
be sufficient to meet the expenditures in those
departments. ,r.
The original appropriation for Reservoirs and
the transfers thereto amounting In all to ST.
| 800 90, was the amount estimated by the Com
mittee on Fire Department as necessary to con-
struct Reservoir OF the size agreed upon by the
Committee and Common Council.
There was some ayoidable delay in excavating,
owing to the difficulty In procuring contract
to do the Stone Work at reasonable price,
without waiting until the contractor who finally
did the work, finished job he had commenced
for other parties. As soon as the contract was
effected, work was Immediately commenced and
when the excavation was completed, there came
on the violent storm in Sept. which occasoned
so much damage throughout the State an l In
consequence thereof and Of other rains which
followed in succession, the earth cayed badly
and considerable expense wasincurred In remov-
ing Il. At that time, IL became evident TO the
COMMITTEES that the wall for which they had
contracted WAS too light for q reservoir Of that
sire and accordingly one Of larger sire was
substituted and braces from the wall to the CEN
tire piers were put in. These expenses together
with the expense Of planking the bottom Of the
Reservoir. rendered necessary by the blue clay
foundation, accounts for the excess Of expendi-
turcs over appropriation.
The additional cost Of tia Reservoir In conse-
quence Of the rains was less than $500 90, while
the saving in the stone work by delaying few
weeks was about that amount, as no other party
could be found to do the work as cheap as II was
donos -.
II will also be observed that in most Of the 40
counts there has been quite saving, amounting
in the aggregate to s3,039 81, being 81 ,0l0 "a
more than the deficiencies above stated. There
were less unpaid bills and unavailable assets at
the close Of the year, than at any time for many
years.
The property Of the City appears from the
Report Of the Auditor to have been increased
1859 05.
The exhibit calls for more than passing no
tce and is in the highest degree crcitable to the
City Council which has just preceded US. and
will, trust, stimulate us to emulate them In
confning the expenses Of the City within the
appropriations.
The Mayor calls particular attention to the
Importance Of the school system, aud suggests
the adoption Of such measures M are calculated
10 elevate the standard Of education and prepare
the youth for future usefulness, mpliments
the lower departments and their Instructors
The suspension Of the High School, he thinks 10
quirrs immediate sctioo, and ays; I'VE now