Morning journal and courier., 1880-12-30


create sinking fund for the payment of our
sewerage bonds which mature In 1891, to
provide for the erection of new house for
engine No. /, and to furnish the means to
carry out the orders passed by your honora-
BILE body, &c, the Board of Finance recon-
mend an increase of one mill on the city tax
for the ensuing year, and their recommends
ton has already been accepted by you.
From a perusal of the Auditors report 1t
will be seen that, In addition to the yearly
payment of 800, 900 in behalf of the Derby
railroad. the city viii have to pay next year
$50, 900 for the bonds issued for the erection
of the City Hail.
ditional burden viii be necessitated by the
payment of these bonds, since the fund es.
tablished for their liquidation already ex.
ceeds by 81 900 the amount of the indebted
ness. With over 800, 900 cash on hand and
over 1874 900 deposited in sinking funds,
feel safe in saying that our successors will
have no cause to complain at the financial
condition of the city as left by US.
ROAD DEPARTMENT.
The members of the road department have
without exception been watchful of the large
amount of money expended under their su.
pervision, and much credit is due them fol
their faithfulness and efficiency. During the
year 1880 1,057 feet, or two-ffths of a mile,
of streets have been paved, making at the
present time ID. 476 miles of paved streets In
the city Previous to this year we had
34.137 miles of sewers, and we have now
80. 179 miles, Our bridges parks, streets and
sewers are all In good condition, and the
working of the department has been entirely
satisfactory.
EAST ROCK PARK.
I take pleasure in renewing my approval
of year ago in favor of a large and orna-
mental park in the vicinity of the city. The
limitation in the amount to be expended
thereon in any one year by the city to &c.
600, which recommended, met the approval
of the last Court of Common Council, and
will without doubt be so regulated by the
next Legislature. The park included 81 acres,
of which number al acres are in the city
and the remaining $50 acres in the town of
Hamden. We have already acquired fifty
two acres by gift, five by purchase and about
forty more are promised, leaving nearly two
hundred and seventy-four acres to be still &C
quired before the entire site contemplated is
secured.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
It is safe to say that our police protection
was never better, and the thanks of the citizens
are due to the officers and men for the Sc
curity of person and property guaranteed by
their efficient and conscientious discharge OF
duty.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This branch of our city government has
been a source of pleasure and congratulation
for its prompt and efficient work. Out OF
one hundred and fourteen alarms responded
to during the year the loss will not exceed
$50, 900, the smallest of any year since 1871.
The recent change in the numbering of the
fire alarm boxes has not been tried sufficient
1y to demonstrate to our citizens the utility
and Importance of having the boxes begin
ming with the same figure in one locality
but when it's advantages have shown them
selves all will agree in the wisdom of the
change.
A site has been secured for the erection OF
a new engine house for steamer One, and by
the end of next year the quarters of the differ
emit companies will be in excellent working
order.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
The health commissioners and officers have
been vigilant and successful in their endeav-
ors to keep us far from pestilential and con-
tagious diseases Our low rate of mortality,
the least in the country for a seaport town,
is source of congratulation and one for
which we are greatly indebted to the fore
sight and faithfulness of our health depart
ment.
THE DERBY RAILROAD.
This road is one in which the city has q
large pecuniary interest, and it affords me
great pleasure to be able to state that, as q
result of the pooling arrangement made
about year ago between it and the Manga
tuck railroad, not only has benefit accrued
to our business interests, but also there is q
fair prospect that ere long the road will pay
the interest on its bonds now borne by the
city.
THE BREAKWATER.
Two years ago recommended the desira-
bility of taking active measures for the es-
tablishment of a breakwater at the mouth OF
the harbor and for the widening and deepen
ing of the channel Aided by our able and
painstaking committee proceeded to Wash
ington. and the result of our efforts was an
appropriation of $40, 900 for the beginning
of the enterprise. One year ago the
sum of $45,O 200 was appropriated
for and applied toward the same object, and
the committee of the present Congress has
for the same purpose. The breakwater is al
ready partially visible and the process of i'm
proving the channel is well under way, and
feel safe in the assurance that our successors
will not fail to urge the continuance of the
undertaking, in order that at no distant day
the extensive commerce of our city may re-
ceive that protection and encouragement
which such improvements would secure.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, gentlemen. allow me to ex-
tend to you, each and all, my warmest thanks
for your faithfulness in the discharge of the
duties assigned to you, and for your unif orm
courteous and gentlemanly aid rendered me
at all times Nothing has ever contributed
to mar our pleasant relations, and hoping
that our future associations may be of the
same friendly degree, and that the duties of
those who succeed us may equal in pleasure
those of our own, I remain
Yours respectfully,
Fl. B. BIGELow.