The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-07-06
A LOWER TAX RATE
Excellent Prospects Of the
City = Public Improve
ments and Reduced
Expenses.
A BOARD MEETING
West Side Sewer Approyed-Street
and Water Board Esti-
mates.
A BOARD MEETING

The Finance Commissioners, last night,
honoured in the resolution of the Street and
Water Board, authorizing the construction
| of the big main sewer in West Side avenue.
which is to drain into the Newark Bay. 1t
will cost $50, 900. Bids for the work will
| be advertised for at once. The resolution to
| construct a sewer in Montrose avenue be-
| tween Carlton avenue and Sanford place,
was also c~oncurred in. The change of grade
| of Columbia avenue was also authorized.
The Adjustment Commissioners were APP
propriated 5 1900 for current expenses, and
$40. 900 was ordered paid to County Collec-
tor Dugan on account of 1898 taxes.
The request of the Board of Education for
| Sal, 37S. AS for repairs to public schools was
referred to the Committee of the Whole. 1t
was decided, at q conference of the board,
held a few evenings ago, that one half that
sum is all that can be appropriated at this
time. Tn most urgent repairs will be at
tended to and the others allowed to stand.
The request of the Street and Water Com
missioners for $4,000 for the erection of a
new engine house in the Hudson City sec
ton, was laid aside. The money is to be ap-
propriated after he tel budget for this
wear MAS UBeu IhdN6 III. ZIG : kkCA Ill
resolution asking for $1,000 for a free bath
was pigeon-holed. A similar fate awaits
Captain Cox's request for money for addi-
tional men at his precinct. The estimate
of the Sinking Fund Commissioners, mount
ing to S.. LOO, was referred to the Finance
Committee.
EXPLAINING THE ESTIMATES.
Then President Macarthur and Commits
sioner Hooker explained why the Street and
Water Board required So, $40 this year
against $193,4 400 last, an increase of 70,490.
To begin with, $50, 600, an increase of $1,000
is asked for sweeping and cleaning the
streets and the relmova OF ashes and gar
bage. The Finance Commissioners have con-
suited with Mayor Wanser on this subject
and they are disposed to allow it. During
the past year many streets nave been paved
and repavcd so that there are many more
miles of street to be swept. The natural
| growth of the city increases the work OF re-
| moving ashes and garbage.
The board asks for $4,000 for cleaning
sewers and receiving basins. This work
was done with $12, 900 last year, and the III
| creased demand this year is not to be al
| lowed. President Macarthur found it a
| difficult task to explain why 5000 should
be appropriated for public grounds and
buildings, when $4,000 sufficed last year. He
cited the fact that the fence at Van Worst
Park needs repairing, that new ratings
must be placed around the fountain and that
new benches are required there and in Ham
ilton Park. These improvements are to be
deferred one year at least.
For repairs to unpaved streets 5000 is
asked. Repairs to the extent of $4,000 were
| made last year, and although the new Com
missioners are anxious to make as good a
showing as possible, they will, it is said. be
given only $4,000 for the same purpose this
wear. In the account for the reconstruction
of sewers $40, 600 is asked for against $1,000
last year. TIT urgent need of the improve
ment of the ewers in the lower section OF
the city willfesult in the appropriation of
about ST, 900, it is rumored, which is an in
crease of $1,000.
NO NOR LIGHT.
For street lighting purposes Sl15,000 is
| asked for, against $685. 0 last year. Last
years appropriation would nave been In
sufficient had not Mayor Wanser called a
halt and insisting upon the cutting of OF
104 lights. By doing this the old board was
able to keep within the appropriation.
Mayor Wanser has said that $4,000 is
enough to spend for street lighting, and the
Finance Board will not grant an increase in
the appropriation of last year.
In the Engineering Bureau an increase OF
s3, $40 is askei for, or $15,640 against $4,000
last year. The increase will be granted.
| For placing signs on street lamps, $4,000 is
| requested There are so many improvements
more necessary that it is to be stricken from
| the list. For The building of steps at the
| foot of Laidlaw avenue, $4,000 is asked.
| This sum will not be appropriated at this
time. 1t may be raised after the tax rate is
| struck. The Bay street and York street
sewers are in a deplorable condition. For
| the repair of the former Sl2, 600 is asked, and
So, 900 for the latter. An effort is to be made
| to provide for the necessary repairs.
The board is to meet again Monday even
ing, and dispose of flew important matters
-; I,1-1-ik.ar. an1 fho rIfnn7m 1CSJnn-
ers. with Mayor Wanser and the law officers,
will then settle down to the task of prepar-
ing the first budget. The tax rate, it is un-
derstood, will be lowered.