The Portland daily press., 1893-02-16
CITY OF WEsTBRook.
Adjourned Meeting of the City Govern
ment-Movement to Establish the Office
of Collector and Treasurer-Pay of Po-
lice Fixed at $500 Per Day.


An adjourned meeting of the West
brook city council was held last evening,
President j. E. Warren in the char.
There was a full board of the thirteen
aldermen present with the exception of
Mr.. Pickett. Mayor Webb was also in
attendance.
The ordinance IN relation to establish
ing the pay Of police at So per day for
the coming municipal year was taken up.
Alderman Foote moved that the ordi-
nance have its second reading and final
passage, and the motion was seconded
by Alderman Pride. The ordinance was
finally passed without discussion.
Mayor Webb stated that it was thought
advisable for the city to have quit
claim deed to the Chapman farm, which
has come into possession of the city by
tax lieD; that such deed could be pro-
cured from Mr.. Hawkes., the guardian of
Mr.. Chapman.
The matter, on motion of Alderman
Scates, was referred to the city solicitor
with instructions to request Mr.. Hawkes.
to execute such deed.
The bill of Andrew ST. Clair for dam
ages by quarantine of his house by rea-
son of scarlet fever, was taken up, but
tabled until the next meeting. in conse-
quence of the absence of Alderman
Pickett, who was to inquire into the sub
ject.
Petition of Payson Tucker to move a
small building belonging to the Maine
Central railroad was voted. 1t was sub
sequently found that the power of such
matter was vested solely in the mayor by
an ordinance of the city, and the matter
was therefore referred to the mayor.
The ordinance in relation to the collec-
ton Of taxes was taken up for its second
reading, and was read by the chair in
sections.
The ordinance fixes the salary at 5000
per annum and such legal fees as he may
receive from acting in the capacity of a
constable.
The matter was discussed at some
length, during which Alderman Cutter
cited the method of the city Of Portland
in collecting taxes as an admirable one,
by which she was steadily reducing her
debt.
Alderman Warren cited the method Of
the city of Deering, where the collector
and treasurer was one salaried officer.
Mayor Webb was inclined to agree
with Alderman Foster and that the pres
emit method was satisfactory.
Alderman Cutter criticised the method
and thought it was the weak spot of the
city government.
President Warren thought it impera-
tive that something should be done. He
questioned as to whether they were as
well off in this matter as they were I'M
der the old town government. It was
very important that some competent
man give his entire time to the mat
ter.
After further discussion the whole
matter was laid over to an adjourned
meeting. in which the subject shall be
the special business, and the clerk in
structed to furnish printed copies of the
ordinance.
Alderman Stewart read a communica-
ton from the board of engineers Of the
fire department, approving of the cleo
ton OF officers Of the companies as re-
ported at the last meeting of the City
Council. The names were voted on sep
arately and the officers will receive their
certificates from the city clerk.
Leave to withdraw was reported on pc
tition for arc light, for the reason that
the appropriation had been expended.
Leave to withdraw was also voted on
petition for change of location OF an arc
light on Main street as the light had al
ready been changed once this year.
1t was voted to pay C. Fl. Nelson $35
for damages to his property occasioned
by the overflow of a city sewer