The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-05-11
The Mayors Message.

To the Honorable Council Of the Incor-
porated Village OF Wellington: Gentle
men In accordance with the provisions
of the revised statutes OF the state of Ohio,
1t becomes my duty annually to make
such reports and recommendations to you
as in my judgement are necessary for the
best interests Of the village and the com
munity in general. In so doing will en-
deavor to be as brief as possible, only cal.
ling your attention to few OF the many
needed improvements and the manner OF
prosecuting the corporation work; and,
while it is not my purpose to criticise your
past actions, shall venture TO offer few |
suggestions for your future guidance.
l recognize the fact that economy is al
ways commendable in the expenditure OF
public money, and should be practiced a,
all times when il can be done without det-
riment to the public service; and l feel
that, considering our present tax duplicate
is only $705,000 and the low rate of taxa.
ton, you have often felt compelled tol
practice economy against your better
judgement. am, however, firmly OF the
opinion TINT public sentiment will justify
you 10 securing the necessary means
which will enable you to provide better
and more thorough system OF drainage,
lighting of the streets, and In the con-
struction and building Of sidewalks, all of
which are much needed and would add
greatly 10 the convenience and pleasure OF
our people and The appearance of our vii
lage.
STREETS.
The paving of our streets, which has
been going on for the past three years, is
a step in the right direction and, while 1t
is largely experimental, l believe If prop
erly done, using only the best OF material,
1t will prove success, as well as profit
able investment for tax payers and should
be continued on other streets In the cor
poration, upon which We are obliged to
spend so much money yearly to keep in
repair.
DRAINAGE.
AT present we have no regular system OF
sewerage or even drainage; everything
done In this line for years past has been
of hit and miss, haphazard way, rs a re.
suit we expend money each year IN trying
to dispose Of surface water, without know.
ing from whence it comes or whittier II
goes. would recommend that you NJ
once take this subject under consideration
and, If possible deyise some plan by which
our people may be relieved OF the incon-
venience so often occasloned ly lack Of
any system Of sewerage of drainage.
LIGHTING.
The village lighting is The cause Of
more complaint at the present time than
any other subject with which you have to
deal. There seems TO be quite general
demand for more light, and as other
towns of our size are giving the matter at.
tention to the extent Of lighting by elec-
tricity, l would like to recommend for
your careful consideration the establish.
Ing of an electric plant for the purpose OF
lighting within the village.
SIDEWALKS.
am thoroughly convinced that enough
care has not been taken in the past In the
construction OF and keeping in repair oI
sidewalks within the village, and, not
withstanding our early predecessors were
careful 10 preserve and mark street lines
so little attention has been given 10 then
= In later years that scarcely street can b'
found uhere the sidewalks are straight ol
on the street lines, and IN many Instances
they have been crowded into the stree
until there is not room enough belweer
lhs fence aAd trees in Which 10 lay the re
uuired width "f'walk, and 80 lung has TIN
practice been allowed lv 80 Oh that manI
property owners think they own al! th,
land inside the walk and question the cor
. poration's title and rights upon tn,
Z ground Of their having had peaceable pos
( session for twentyone years Such notion
! as these are, however, erroneous. Stree
= lines are never changed, except by lega
Q proceedings, and the corporation has iul
I power and control over the street betwee
lot lines In view OF these facts, woul
q suggest that more attention be given I
the locating and constructing OF walk
!. and would recommend that all work upo
the streets, sidewalks, cutters and ditche
y be under the direct supervision Of tn
), street commissioner, acting with the stre'
a committee or such official as they ma
D !, appoint for the purpose, and they be n
a sponsible for the thorough execution
II all such work, In accordance with the o
dinances Of the village. Respectful