Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-07-02
MAYOR WILSON'S MESSAGE
A Communication Containing a
Review of the Past Six
Months
Several Important Suggestions
Made and Reforms Recon-
mended for Adoption
Regular Weekly Meeting of
the City Council Held
Yesterday

The regular weekly meeting Of the city
council was held yesterday afternoon,
Mayor Wilson presiding; Councimen
Allerton, Aubery, Christopher, Darling,
Kinghorn and Monohan present; Dono-
van, absent.
The minutes of the previous meeting
were read and approved.
A petition was presented by number
of property owners asking that permis-
of sewer eight inches in diameter, COM
mencing at the Eleventh street sewer and
running east along Columbia to the alley
way Of lots /, 2, 3 and H. in block l3. The
sewer to be paid for by the property
owners when accepted by the city en-
gineer, and the cost of said sewer be re-
funded when there is sufficient money in
the city treasury. Referred to the COM
mittee on streets and public property.
petition was presented by property
owners asking that street grades be es-
tablished on Douglas avenue from Twen-
| ty-third to Twenty streets, and on
Twenty fourth from Douglas to Broad
way. The water company has agreed to
extend their mains to this district as soon
as the grades are established. Referred
TO the committee on streets and public
| property.
A petition was presented by Col. w. II.
| Hakes asking that settlement of the
differences between him and the city be
deferred until the return Of Councilman
j. j. Donovan. Referred to the commit
tee on streets and public property.
communication, signed by George w.
| Buttner, secretary OF the board of fire
delegates, was submitted, asking that $40
of the sum of S2j asked for by eX Chief
j. ii. Wilmot, be retained and ordered
paid to the fire department. Referred to
| the judiciary committee.
a petition was presented by the Bay
| City Land company, asking that certain
streets in South FairhaVen be vaca ted, as
| the petitioners desire 70 re plat the tract.
The judiciary committee, To whom the
above petition was referred reported
iayOrably upon IL aud recommended that
July - be the date fixed for hearing he
prayer of the petitioners aud the state
ments of any other parties In interest.
City Engineer Allerton reported that
the Improvement of Washington avenue
was completed, and that the street was
ready Tor acceptance.
City Attorney Howard reported that
he had prepared several ordinances in ac-
cOrdance with the councils Instructions.
Mayor Wilson presented the following
communication which was ordered placed
on file:
FAmmAvEN, Wash, July l, 1891
GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCII.-City Of
Fairhaven:-The first half of the current
year having expired, | take pleasure in
cOmplimenting you all upon your prompt
attendance at council meetings, and the
careful consideration by the standing
committees of the many important mat
ters placed In their hands; and also the
several appointed officers of the city upon
the able manner in which they have per
formed their respective duties.
Without entering upon an extended re
view OF the work done during the past six
months, | can only say it has been thor
ough In every particular, aud so far as ]
am able to judge, it has been for the best
interests Of the public represented by
you.
Tue current expenses have been greater
In some OF the departments than 1 anCici-
pated, but II was owing to circumstances
of which the council had no control and
hence could not avoid; noticeably the
work of checking up and adjust
ing the books and business of
the previous year, and systematsng the
same for economical management in the
future. This work has been completed
and trust we may be able TO dispense
with extra help in the clerks office. Con-
siderable expense has also been incurred
In the Improvement Of the fire depart
ment In order to place it on high stan
dard Of efficiency and furnish cOnven-
ences for the members OF the several fire
companies. In future | trust the COM
mittee having this important department
in charge may keep disbursements down
to a minimum.
The recent change of location of city
hall and offices is good one, both in point
of economy and convenience, the several
city offices having been concentrated and
rents reduced.
The marshal has recently made some
reductions in his monthly roll, and | be-
lieve there is still further room for econ
omY In his department, owing To the abb
sence of a rough and dangerous element
that has until recently infested our thriv-
ing city.
In the engineering department great
deal of work has Deen performed,
both on street Improvement and
special work ordered by the council, all of
which has made IL necessary to employ a
large force, truct reduction may now
be found practicable. Some three months
ago the city completed a lirst-class sewer
age system through the business portion
of its streets-a much needed improve
ment-and i regret to see a great zeal of
unnecessary delay on the part of many
citizens in making connection with same
as required by law. This is an important
feature in protecting the health of the
community, and the council should see to
IL that all ordinances bearing upon the
subject are enforced and criminal action
instituted In cases of willful disObedence
Of their provisions.
The chairman of che committee on sew
ers, Councilman Donovan, is now VISITING
some of the principal cities OF the East
collecting information that will undoubt-
edly prove of great benefit to the council
in extending the sewage system, based
upon the plans provided by Engineer
Benlzette william, some months ago.
This important work should be taken
in hand and prosecuted with energy at
the earliest possible moment, and TO as
great an extent as the means at the city's
command will permit. The next import
ant street improvements contemplated
are:
First-Tenth street from Mill avenue to
intersection with improved portion OF
Front street.
Second - Donovan avenue, from
Twenty first street eastward To Padden
lake, or such other point as may be
agreed upon.
There seems to be some objection on
the part Of some of the property owners
TO this last named extension, which would
make Donovan avenue the principal ave-
nue. to the eastern suburbs. The matter
Is now In the hands OF a committee, and
II these obstacles are of such nature as