Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-04-21
Doings OF the City Council.

last Saturday afternoon.
Petition of VIM. r. Smith and 10 others
for a sidewalk on Elm street, -presented by
Alderman Nash
Petition of B. +. Parrot and 10 others for
reconstruction Of sidewalk on Court street,
between Water and Perham s.rects pre-
scented by Alderman Whitehouse;
Order directing the street commissioner
for the Western District to construct gravel
sidewalk on the south side of Bond street,
from Water street to the plank walk on Fit.
Vernon avenue, north of the gas house,
offered by Councilman Wyman;
Order directing the same commissioner to
place a wooden sidewalk on Water street.
from the end of the concrete walk south of
Granite Block to the railroad track, Offered
by Councilman Boynton;
Order relating to suitable sidewalk on the
east side of Water street, beginning near the
store of Williamson & Greenwood and ex-
tending northerly to the stone bridge, Offered
by Councilman Higgins;
Order directing the street commissioner for
the Western District to finish the gravel
sidewalk on Franklin street, as recommended
by the committee on Highways and sidewalks
last year,-ofered by councilman Higgins =
Were severally referred to the joint
special Committee on New Sidewalks.
Fire Department, to which was referred an
order relating to an assistant engineer for the
steamer Cushnec, reported that the committee
recommend the amendment of sec. Q, chap.
IL, city ordinances, so as to admit of the en-
ployment of some person where duty it shall
be to perform the duties of Fireman for said
Cushnoc, with compensation at $500 year.
The report was accepted, and referred to the
Joint Special Committee on Revision of Ordi-
nances.
Alderman Whitehouse, from the Joint
Special Committee on unsolicited taxes. made
q report, recommending that the uncollected
taxes for 1866, '67, '6S, 60, 70, II and ~,
be placed in the hands of some other person
than the collectors during those years, for
collection; and stating that in their opinion
either an increase of salary for the joint office
of Collector and Treasurer should be made,
or the two offices Should be vested in separate
persons; or that there should be Treasurer
chosen, and the taxes EARNED out" for col
lection; sseither of the three propositions
would be effective, of which the committee is
of the opinion the last would be the most
effective" This report is signed by Alder
men Whitehouse and Clapp, and Councilman
Dolliver, and was accepted in the Board of
Aldermen.
Councilman Boynton, from the same COM
mittee, made a minority report, saying ''the
lector would be attended with several incon-
yeniences and does not seem to be in the
interest of economy. Nor can 1t be readily
seen how o collector separated from the
Office of treasurer, could have any more power
to collect taxes or more influence. or do the
work any more efectualy than one holding
the combined Office. The remedy suggested
is that the treasurer and collector, in his
.pacity Of collector at his present salary Of
(t1 hn1, L.,
added for collecting the taxes for the Village
District shall personally canvass the city to
such extent as may be necessary 20 ac
complish the object, and persisten.ly and
urgently press the collection" This report
also recommends some change in the amount
of discount and the time for allowing the
same.
The minority report was adopted by the
common council in lieu Of the majority re.
port.
Petition of /. NJ. Sherman and So others,
the road which extends southerly from the
Belfast road by and past the residence of
Capt. James Ii. Bolton to the Ioung place,
to be extended in a direct parallel line
southerly to the South Belfast road, was pre-
scented by Alderman Whitehouse, and referred
to the Committee on New Streets.
Petitions Of Lucinda Scribner Of Cushnoc
Heights and Mrs. Smith who lives on Bridge
compensation for injuries alleged TO have
been received from defects in the highways
of the city, were referred to the Committee on
Highways and the City Solicitor, with in
structions to report at the next meeting ofthc
city council.
Report of Samuel W. Lane, City Audi
tor, saying that he had examined tie ac
counts of the collector and treasurer, and
finds that they have not been correctly kept,
and that from the accounts and vouchers
which have been submitted to me for exam-
nation" find it exceedingly difficult, If not
not impossible, to arrive a: a reliable. or even
satisfactory conclusion, in relation to the re-
ceipts, disbursements, cash in the treasury or
balance of uncollscted taxes. l ask to be
relieved from further duty in relation to the
same, and desire that the subject be referred
to Committee of the City Council
1t was voted that the above report be re-
committed, and that the Auditor be instructed
to report the condition Of the finances of the
City Treasurer as he finds them.
Alderman Libby presented petition of G.
c. Flagg, foreman. and II others for change of
name of steamer Cushnoc from No. to No. /,
and on motion of the same alderman,
Ordered, That the Chief Engineer Of the
Fire Department be and hereby is authorized
to change the number of the steamer Cushnoc
from 'fre" to ZONE"
Alderman Whitehouse presented petition
of Wilson Sylvester, by s. Lancaster, his
attorney, for compensation for injury alleged
to have been received from defect in high
way, and on motion of the same Alderman it
was ordered that the matter be referred to
James w. North, the Mayor, with full power
and authority to investigate the same, and
make settlement if he sees fit go to do.
Alderman Nash, from the Committee on
Accounts, to which was referred so much of
the Mayors Address as relates to City Audi
tor reported the following ordinance, which
was passed to be enrolled under suspension
of the rules, in both branches of the city
council:
An ordinance defining the duties of the
City Auditor.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the
city of Augusta, as follows:
Section /. The city council shall elect an
nually in the month of March. or as soon
thereafter as the interests of the city require,
one person, possessing a practical knowledge
of bookkeeping, to be styled the City Auditor
ofAccounts, who shall continue in office dur
ing the year ensuing his election, and until his
H. 1,a,, hoo oil taI vi IL