Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-02-18


when many strangers were within cur borders.
At the last regular meeting of your board,
proposition of Kinds. Monett 4 Co., Of Water
town. n. Y, TO furnish the city with water for fire
and sanitary purposes, was submitted to you for
your consideration. The proposition Is substan-
tally to build and maintain the works for twenty
years and to furnish the city with certain num-
her OF hyirsats and water for all public buildings
for sum not TO exceed ss5oo II the Falls Village
should be supplied. for tsooo IL only the lower
part Of the city was .,iped.
Id That they would build the works for the
city upon contract, the city paying all bills.
That we have no, an adequate fire service, Is ap.
parent to any one well acquainted with the affairs
OF the city. That 1t would be great luxury 10
have water brought into our dwellings need no, be
argued
III the city could afort the expense, I should IA.
vor making contract with these gentlemen, upon
the terms mentioned in their first proposition
And the question OF expense Is really the only
one which this board need consider. and this
should be very carefully considered by each one
OF us, before committing the tax payers to the
further increase OF taxation which would Of ne.
cessity follow.
To the last proposition. viz, of the city building
the works. am very decidedly opposed. for the
reason that 1t can he clearly demonstrated
that we cannot AFFORD To do 1t. The costs OF
such works, am Informed by MIR. Baldwin, who
represents Kinds. Monett 4 Co, would exceed
rather than fall short of tI25 oo II the pipe was
laid To the Fails Village And even II the city
could legally issue Its bonds for the amount ne.
cessary TO construct such works, We could hardly
hope to place such bonds the market and
sell them at par. bearing less than per inter
est This then would require annual appropri-
alton of s5ooo. As managed by the city,
It would be some years before the income would
be more than sufficient to pay running expenses,
and for i've years at least should be obliged to
raise the interes, OF taooo. and In the end We
should be obliged 10 pay the slas.0oo. There are
other reasons which might be urged. at this time,
against the city entering into such undertaking.
H. however, the people desire water, and can
be obtained at annual expense of stste or
s2o'O after deuciing taxes, should be In favor Of
accepting the proposition OF Hin.l-. Maaet h Co.
There should he no misunderstanding abont
this II should not lie held out that the cost OF
maintaining our are department would be any les.
than at present. for We should surely be Obliged
to keep up fire companies, and canno, see
how It can be done for less money than you now
appropriate. The next question then for your
unders;sndingly upon this. II not, 1t had better
be indefinitely postponed. /, has been suggested
that the matter be submitted TO the people. II the
matter goes to the people. the responsibility In a
measure. is lifted from your shoulders. but you
should be guarded in the form OF submitting IT,
The only proposition that are to consider to-
day at this meeting. +. that Of Kinds. MoIct Co.
This Is special meeting called FOR that purpose,
and other In fact, this is the only proposition
that has come before the city government
The business Of the city seems Ia demand that
some mer.icr Of the city government should be
found at the ofcc ia the city building at certain
hours each day. The salaries paid small
that no one holding position IN the city can Dc
vote his whole time 10 tho duties Of his oflce II.
however, the city clerk should be made a member
OF the board OF assessors AMI treasurer 81 the city
the salary would enable him to have ofioe
where he could always lee found by those having
business and living away from the center
The contract OF Mr.. II Jones for ,h- support
OF the poor pres ia April and Il he IS 80 remain
upon the farm for mother Of years. it Is
proper that be should know IT, tina; arrangements
can be made Tor the spring farming, There seem,
10 be general desire on the part Of our citizens
that contract be closed with Mr. Jonc- lie
has indeed been . good man in the position. and
this matter should bc Rttende. Ia this week. ~
the committee 10 whom II referred can agree
upon the terms Of the new contract
can say to you that the order book shows but
very few outstanding or,ier- and YOU who have
served upon the committee ~ accounts and claims
know that there be but very few II any unset
tied claims or accounts against the city
desire, IN closing. to express t. YOU nv thank.
for your good Will and the support YOU have ever
been ready to extend when necessary reform.
have been undertaken.
JOHN RfDMAN.
Ellsworth. Feb IS i~~i.