Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-11-20
THE TOWN AGRN1,s REPORT.

~ - ~ A0ksN 40 - ~ ~AsA
He IL of the OpInion that she Entire
Town Debt Can be Completely Paid |
In About Flfsy YeaFs-shall She Pres |
ent system OF Caring for Reads be
Abollshed-ReckIess Expense as tho |
Town Farm.
The annual report of Town Agent Todd
for the year ending October 81 has just been
issued. Mr.. Todd gives the floating in
debtedness as represented by the previous
administration on October 81, 1888, and
shows where it was wrong.
In Mr.. Reynolds last report 1t was figured
at $241, 5s4. 90, but Mr.. Todd finds thatit was
really $685., Os4 %. This il due; first, be-
cause the amount Of the notes to treasurer
town deposit fund was 81, $1,000 instead of
$11, $1,000, an error of $500; second, the
Connecticut Savings bank held notes against
the town for $50, 600 instead of for $4,000.
In November, 1883, the town borrowed
100000 from the city. making the total
floating Indebtedness on June I, 1889, $751;
O64 co. The seleotmen issued bonds amount
ing to $500, 900, and were foated at 80 per
cent. interest, payable semi annually. They
were designated ''Air Line Railroad Bonds"
The last "block" of twenty-five will be due
forty years from July l., 1889. The report
says:
t'In adopting this plan for the gradual re-
tirement of the towns bonded debt the &C.
lectmen considered that proper and oonserva-
tive management of the towns finances dur
ing the succeeding years weuld enable those
to whom such management is Entrusted to
pay current annual expenses from the regular
income and save sum sufficient to meet
bonded and other maturing obligations. 1t
seemed to the seleotmen that having nearly
completed the construction of new town
home, involving great expense, and in other
ways making large OUTLAWS for permanent i'm
provements, the town had placed itself in
position where it ought to Immediately begin
to Give within its income" as the expression
is In other words, the time had arrived when
the income to the town from regular sources
ought to be sufficient to pay all expense and
gradually pay all outstanding obligations
without borrowing money. The town agent
is strongly of the opinion that both the bond
ed and floating indebtedness can all be paid
within the next 40 or so years. The present
bonded Indebtedness of the town Is $946. 400.
The total floating Indebtedness is $167, 729 90,
making total Indebtedness of 81, ia, 129. 90.
If the debt is retired within period of 80
years, only $22, 1882. So per year will be needed
to ripe out the entire obligation. II in the
future the now well settled policy of
State and municipal governments to
penses and always keep within appropria-'
tions is followed, New Ravens current
expenses can be easily met, and maturing
debt obligations can be discharged and the
town can be freed from debt within half
century and possibly in a very much less
time than fifty years. 1t must be admitted
that this and many previous ADMINISTRATIONS
have ,,o% baax, al NV Y,1ouo foundad on
estimate and appropriation. In this respect
the town government has been behind the
times, fault it will do we'll to avoid in the
future. The town agent feels 1t his duty to
thus urge upon the tax payers the impor-
tanoe of passing vote at the next annual
town meeting, making it the duty OF the
selectmen and town agent to confine expenses
for specific objects within estimates submits
ted to the town meeting; said estimates being
predicated on the assured income for the en-
suing year. The general plan to be fol-
lowed to be similar to that now in successful
use by the United States, the State of Con-
neeticut and the city of New Haven. The
total interest paid since 1864 is. 1910, S3S. 95.
The interest New Haven must pay on her
bonded and floating Indebtedness for the
coming year is $42, 1876, $19,6TT less
October 81, 1889. Of this amount 81, 500
is saved by refunding the Air Line bonds,
cutting the rate of interest FROM 6 per cent.
to 81 per cent. Re-rating of interest and
paying off notes. accounts for the remaining
$7.O77.71.
ton purposes. The amount increased from
So, $50 in 1854 to SIG, 727. 88 in 1889.
The total cost to the town for keeping
town charges at the New Haven hospital was
S., 2S9. "a, a saving over last year of 81 ,31675
and this with the rate per week raised from
81 to S..
The town agent says it is for the citizens to
decide at an annual town meeting whether
the present system of taking care of the roads
shall be continued or abolished. At present
it is expensive. Men who are dependent on
the town are employed. The work can be
done cheaper by contract, but what would be
done with men dependent on the towna Dur
total cost paid for all labor and materials for
roads and bridges was $40 1861, q deicisn-
cy of $14,6 73. "A in favor of this year.
The town agent says the tendency of OUT
door relief, unless very carefully guarded, is
to increase pauperism. There Is but one way
to prevent the Increase of help and that is TO
refuse aid to any except in cases of sickness
or temporary need. The right of the select.
men to give this aid has been questioned, and
an opinion quoted fromfC Charles R. Ingersoll
gives the seleetmen the right to aid those
outside the poorhouse if they choose to give
such aid.
The amount paid for outside poor relief
was $22, 3402 90, while $25, 1888 was paid
last year.
The total number receiving aid January /,
1889. was 307, the number November l was
1877.
Reference is made to the new Springside
Home and that it is the best equipped home
for dependent people in the State and prob
ably in New England.
The expense for conducting the Home was
$27, 513. "a, less than it has been since 1887.
There are II, 1855 inmates and last year TO-
ITO, The Town agent says that the expense
at the town farm has been extravagant.
Crops produced have been few and out Of all
proportion with the expense. He says there
should be a change, else the farm should be
done away with.
The total cost to the town for caring for
insane people was SIC, 396.01, which the
town agent says is startling. He says this
reckless expenditure should be stopped; and
he suggests that men be brought from the
retreat to the quarters for the insane at the
slmshouse.
In conclusion, the town agent states that
1t now seems as If the towns finances were
in a condition that may justly command