The Portland daily press., 1895-03-12

Among lua QinereuU ways uudu LtFS
been suggested to remedy THIS Cllllculty
are the iullowing: Eltner collect tne
taxes Close to the amount assessed each
year, rais4 the val ntionr Increase the
rate per cent. or reduce expenditures.
Ine nrst and last suggestions might be
adopted in amy event for tire benent o.
the city. This wuoie matter of the
financial management of our city should
receive your serious attention.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
III the expenditure Of money upon our
highways judicious economy should
be exercised. 1t is for the best interests
of our city, however, that the streets ana
sidewalks should be kept in good condi-
tioG, although no extravagant use OF
money is necessary to do this. Any
amount appropriated for the streets, that
IS above the sum actually needed tor re-
pairs should be expended in permanent
roat building; that is, street Constfuc-
1on OF crushed stone or granite
pavement.
Last year the portion of Main street,
between the Maine Central railroad at
the east end and the 2. & K. road at the
west end, was partially macadamized.
This work ought to be com pleted the
coming year. | know of no other exten-
sive work in this direction that will be
demanded. During the past few years
the plank sidewalks on nearly every
street in the city have been replaced by
either concrete or brick walks. The
wooden walks that remain should be re-
moved as fast as they become dangerous
to pedestrians, and something more SUBJ
stantial su bsti tuted.
1t is wei! known that gon the part of
some citizens there has been demand
for
BRIDGE ACROSS THE PRESUMP-
SCOT
river, at some point between the two al
present is more apparent than real. That
it may be built at some time in the fu-
ture no one has reason to doubt, but if
it were conceded that the bridge was
needed somewhat this year, the present.
financial condition of our city would
preclude the possib bility of it's construc-
tion. If the opportunity offers, however,
and it can be done with but little ex-
pense, l would suggest that an estimate
of the cost of such a bridge be obtained
by your committee on streets.
SEWERS.
1t will be necessary during the coming
year to construct sewers on several
streets. That this work should be limit
ed and only carried to an extent that is
absolutely necessary, is apparent to you
all. Amy money to be expended for this
purpose sh hould be raised by taxation
this year, and in no event should such
appropriation be exceeded to increase
our inde bted ness. tas 81 AZ
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Not much need be said in regard to
our fire department, as it is now. as it
always has been, credit to the city. 1t
is now comparatively well supplied
with apparatus, and no large expendi-
ture upon it will be needed this year.
ALMSHOUsE AND FARM.
The aImshouse and farm is, at present,
under most excellent management, and
the city derives considerable yearly in
come from it; not sufficient, however, to
equal the amount expended upon it.
Proper legislation by the council to en-
able the money received from the farm,
TO be applied directly to the support of
the poor, would make only small ap-
preparation necessary for this purpose.
The Chapman farm produces sufficient
to give to the city a small annual in
come. This sum [ hardly think is large
enough to warrant the city in holding
it as a source of revenue. II it can be
sold on advantageous terms would sug-
gest that our committee on finance ne
gotlate it's sale. The amount received
from it to be applied to the reduction of
the city debt.
ASSESSORS.
1t will be your duUy TO appoint the as
SCISSORS. They are amcng the most i'm
portant officers in the city, and too much
care cannot be exercised in their seleo-
ton They should be men having a
knowledge of real estate, and of good
Judgment and business ability, and pos
sessed OF sufficient stamina TO enable
them Go stand up against pressure. 1t is
almost ali absolute necessity that a
thorough, complete and careful revision
of the valuation of the property in West
brook should be made this year. eY1
Is THE SCHOOLS.
Our people have always shown COM
mendable willingness to make ample
provision for the schools. 1t Will not be
necessary to provide any further accom-
modations for the scholars for some
years to come, as the present buildings
are fully adequate; and from the amount
expended for repairs the past year it
seems that the school houses must be III
good condition. The report of the SIS.
committee, just issued, shows that our
schools are under admirable manage
men and in an excellent condition in
every way. Chairman Carleton, of the
committee, states that: "The standard
of excellence in the schools at the COM
mencement of the year has been fully
maintained, and we are encouraged to
believe that considerable advance has
been made in the direction of the most
improved method of teaching. The
teachers have kept themselves in touch
with the most advanced educational
thought of the times, and where there
were impracticable and unprofita BILE
methods pursued, they have been dis
carded for improved methods"
The large amount of money appropri-