The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-01-02
CITY GOVERNMENT
Regular Monthly Meeting Of the CITY
Council


In Board OF Mayor and Aldermen.
Alderman Gould was absent The following
business was transacted:
The report of the committee on straighten-
ing the line of State street was accepted.
The bond of James X. Maher, constable,
was approved.
The petitions of Thomas & Jordan, d.
White & Sons and Portland Electric Company
for steam engines and boilers, were granted,
published notice have been given as required
by the city ordinances
The committee on fire department to whom
was referred the petitions of the Portland
Board of Underwriters and of II. M. Payson
and others for the purchase or employment of
a steam fre-boat for the protection of the
property on the water front of the city, report
ed as follows: That after fnll hearing they
deemed it best to advertise for proposals for
building fire boat and for proposals for per-
forming fire service by some of the tug boats
in the harbor and that the following bids were
received. Ths Central Wharf Tow Boat Com
pany offered to perform the fire service named
for the animal sum of $4,000; two boats to be
fitted with pumps at the expense of the city,
one boat to be always ready for fire service,
but in case of need all their boats in the har-
Dor at the arbor to respond and perform fire
service. Total number of boats, three.
j. P. Tenney offered to perform the same
service with one boat for S250O per year, con-
tract for ten years, and $12 per hour for each
hours service.
The owners of steam tugs Phebe and Magnet
offer to keep one boat subject to call and in
case of need, two boats to respond If in the
harbor, for $500 per year and $25 per hour
for each hours service.
Mr.. G. E. Gould offered one boat, contract
five years.
The owners of the Mary w. Libby offer to
perform the service for $1,000 per year, the
city to fit up and furnish steam pumps, end
S25 for each hours service.
The committee had no direct bid for building
boat, but after careful inquiry satisfied them
eelves that boat of twenty tons burden could
be built aud equipped for fire service at cost
not exceeding $4,000. And the committee be-
lieve that such boat could be run at a yearly
cost of S2400 from which could be deducted
the salary of harbor master and cost OF ice
breaking, as the committee contemplated rec
should perform the duties Of harbor master.
1t was even suggested that parties might be
found ready to run such boat at small ex-
pense to the city, provided that the boat could
perform, tug boat service in and about the
wharves. But the committee in view of the
fact that such fire service in the city is ex-
perimental, that the number of calls for such
fire service has been extre .nely small in the
past, recommend that a contract be made
with the lowest bidders, the owners OF the
Mary W. Libby.
The following order was presented:
That the committee on fire department be
empowered to contract with the owners of the
steamer Mary w. Libby to perform fire service
on the water front of the city for one year at
a cost not exceeding 500 per month, and $25
for each hour said steamer shall per form fre
TO purchase steam pump and pay the cost of
connecting the same with the boiler of said
steamer, the cost of same to be paid from any
unexpended balance in the hands of the COM
mittee on fire department.
Alderman Winslow wished to have the
matter laid over for investigation but it was
voted, yeas and nay to pass the order.
The May or stated that the Mary w. Libby
was considered good boat for the business,
drawing less water than the other tugs and be-
ing large and broad. She is kept regularly on
the ferry route and has steam up seventeen
hours in the day. Under the new arrange
ments an assistant engineer weuld be in
charge of the fires which will be kept banked,
during the rest OF the night.
The joint standing committee on engrossed
bills reported that the ordinance in relation to
the sale of toy pistols and blank cartridges was
properly engrossed. Similar reports were also
made on the order to amend sections and of
the revised ordinance of 1882 on health in re-
lation to the employment of female physi-
clan, and for the storage and sale of petroleum.
The ordinance Of health was referred back and
the others were passed to be ordained.
The order passed in non-coneurrence with
the Council at the last meeting in relation to
transferring fire engine horse from the street
to the fire department, was sent back from the
Council, who adhered to the original vote and
asked for a committee of conference
Alderman Little stated 4hat satisfactory ar
rangements had been made between the two
departments, without the payment of the sum
asked but Aldermen Little and Winslow were
appointed TO confer with the committee from
the Council.
The joint stan ling committee on sale of un-
improved real estate reported that they had
voted to Mrs Mary E. Scott a lot of land on
the southerly side of Portland street, contain
ing 1884 square feet, at II IL cents per square
foot, and they asked for the passage of an or
der ordering the transaction.
The usual order authorizing the City Audi
80 Hat. -,
priations was passed.
The petition of John Sheridan and James B.
Wiley for victual ler's licenses were laid over
for investigation.
An order was introduced that the sewer az
sessments on the property of Fl. B. Brown,
amounting to $40 SS, be abatsd, in considera-
tion of his giving the right Of way to the city,
for the sewer.
There seemed to be question whether this
should be paid, Alderman Winslow stating
that the city might have right to cross the
land without sonsent of Mr.. Brown, as it had
been laid out as street.
The matter was laid on the table, and Al
derman Melcher gave notice that he should
take it up at the next meeting.
Alderman Winslow called attention to tie
bad condition of Portland and Green streets,
owing to the horse railroad company plough
ing out the snow from their track. He stated
that the railroad company had been forbidden
to do it, but claimed that the Mayor had given
them the proper authority. People had been
injured there, and the committee wanted pow
er to put stop to it.
The Mayor stated that the railroad compa-
ny had received no authority from him that
would allow them to do anything contrary to
the rulings of the street department. He also
stated that he would be pleased to hear any
complaints in regard to the streets, and would
do all in his power to have them attended to.
Papers from the lower board were passed in
concurrence
PETITIONS REFERRED.
OF John G. Schwartz and Joseph browne for
an abatement OF sewer assessments on Market
and New bury streets,
OF f. W. McConkey for a license to sell
fish, Referred with power.
OF G. L. Stanwood that new certificates of
city bonds Nos 574 and 575, be issued TO him,
the originals have been stolen and never re-
covered
ORDERS PASSED.
That the city treasurer be directed to give