Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-01-03

The city was also obliged to pay
bills contracted by the committee
on additional water supply, 1904
And Judgment for damages caused
by the overflow of q eat brook,
about 1,45O
o,1oi
No appropriation or other provision has
been made for the payment of the last
two items 30 that what may be called the
working capital of the City after the pay
ment of the above was $197, 200, for the
maintenance of the several departments,
ard such general improvements as could
be made. The principal part of this sum
was expended as follows
In the street department, for the pur
chase of a road roller, the establishment
of the Crushing Plant at Cheshire, the
paving and surface hardening, and other
work chargeable to that department,
about $50, 900
Sewer Department, including the trunk
sewer at Brooklyn, about $35, 900.
Police Department, about 10000.
Lighting Department, about 81 900.
Fire Department, about $4,000.
Extension of Fire Alarms, about 1900.
Health Department, Water Account,
and Law expense, each about
$4,000. $4,000.
General Expense, about 5000
A few of the minor appropriations
! nearly absorbed the balance.
For the current year the total
amount of appropriations is PAT, 600
Interest Account, 32,S50
On redemption of Bonds and tenn
porary loans, 90, 500.
Damages from overflow of Great
Brook, 10000
And on account of the New England
Railroad crossing at Bank street, $4,000
$50, $50
Leaving S167, $50 to meet the fixed
charges, incidental expenses, and unfor
seen contingencies of the current year, or
in round numbers, $4,000 less than was
expended by the council in 1892 for the
same purposes, and more than $50, 900
less than in 1891.
You do not need to be told that it will
require most rigid scrutiny of all expendi-
| lures on your part to enable you to keep
| within the appropriations and avoid an
extra tax before the close of the year,
At the commencement of tn year 1892
there were temporary loans outstanding
to the amount of 1904 ,0OO These were
held by banks and individuals here and
elsewhere, and most of them bore interest
at the rate of six per cent. per annum
All the six per cent. loans were taken up
by means of loan at Dime Savings Bank
at the rate IF five per cent. per annum,
thus effecting a considerable saving in in
terest
regret that am unable to give you a
\ full and exact statement of the city's cur
rent liabilities and assets, for the reason
that the December bills are not yet audited
and various collectors have not yet made
their final reports for the year. For such
| statement will refer you to the auditor
statement report which will be made later
may say, however, the bonded indebt-
edness has been reduced by additions to
the sinking fund of 12, 500.
And the floating indebtedness, 10000.
That is to say, the means to do this have
been provided by the laying of an extra
four mill tax, payable next April, the
avails of which are considered as an asset
4 of the City.
You will not be embarr ,ssed by unpaid
bills contracted by a previous Council
but will be able to use the appropriations
as they come to you in such a manner
as you deem proper.
No part of the administrations of City
affairs occasions more anxiety to those re.
sponsible than the financial. The desire
to grant the proper and reasonable petit
lions and requests of many people, and
remove just causes of complaint, is con.
tinually Swallowed by the fear Of exceed.
fling an appropriation.
People, whose yards are full of overflow.
ing cesspools, the earth saturated with the
filth from them, who are obliged the yeal
round to pass through mud, slush and
dust of urgraded and unimproved streets
will not listen kindly to the excuse thai
the city has no money to do the work they
ask.
AS intimated to the Council year ago
believe the council has no authority t.
expend money in excess of appropriations
or to borrow money except in anticipa
ton of tax already laid in other words
the city may not expend money until i
has provided the means for raising it, anC
this policy has been strictly adhered to tn
past year.
| Many people appear to believe that be
cause greater tax was lad for expense
during,,th the year 1892, in all % mill tax
/. the expenses of that year were SO much il
excess of the expenses of former years.
This is not true. AS has been stated
$267, 344 were appropriated and expended
! in 1892, requiring % mill tax on tn
last grand list.
Fo, the year 1891, 1888, 795 were ap
propriated, and $685., $50 were ex
pended, an excess of expenditures owe
appropriations of $6S, 1856; that is to say
during the year 1891, the city expended
Sos, 785 more than was raised by taxation
ana tne oLneE esIlmAteo SOURCES VI lncom
for that year. Had the council raised tn
money they expended, as the city b.
law requires, a tax of 20 mills on the dolla
/ would have been necessary to have pai'
= current expenses for the year 1891.
1t is perhaps needless to say the sam
policy will be continued during the yea
Uses as in 1892, and trust it will NEE
, with your approval and have your heart
) co operation. It will never be easier T.
pay current expenses than at present ant
the present interest account if much in
creased will be heavy burden in itself.
A strict limitation of expenses is no
80 pleasant course to pursue as the car
!. rying out of large plans tor improving tn
I city, nor 30 easy as to grant the prayer o
every worthy petitioner. It is enough t.