Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-26
debt has been reduced the past year 80,

342. 90.
1t is quite evident that the tax rate car
not be lowered for quite number Of
years If the present policy of the city, te
make necessary improvements and keer
each department up to high standard Of
efficiency is maintained.
There is probably sufficient funds In
the treasury to meet our next roll of ac.
, counts which will DO passed April 9th.
salaries, &c, SO that the usual temporary
loan made about this time of year can be
postponed until the latter part of April.
Gentlemen, let us not be weary in well
| doing. Remembering that our every ac-
ton here will mean gain or loss to the
city.
Highways.
The Increasing interest in the question
OF highways which has arisen within the
past few years has been shared by our
citizens. Certainly no other question so
seriously affects our trade. Given good
road to Augusta and poor one to an
other market; and the good one will al
ways attract the traveller. The popularity
OF our markets, and in consequence the
prosperity of our traders, depend upon
good roads. We are directly int rested
in them; the truckman, the passenger car
rier, the driver for pl assure, the bicyclist,
the foot man, all point with pride and
pleasure to a good thoroughfare, and
nothing engenders SO much dissatisfaction
and criticism as poor one.
The good beginning made on Grove
CT n -
State street should be carried forward. 1t
is we'll established fact in every depart
ment Of business that little extra cost
in construction affects large saving in
cost of maintenance. This applies particu-
larly to the work on highways.
recommend that the work on State
street be extended as far as you shall
deem it advisable with the state of our
finances, in connection with other needed
improvements.
l think portable crusher for use es-
pecially on the East side, would be a good
investment for the city. 1t would need
simply crusher, rs it could be operated
by the steam road ROLLER which we now
have. A large amount Of rock which can
be had for the asking is within stones
throw of where much of 1t would need
to be used, and the cost of shifting the
present crusher and shifting back would
entail an expense of at least 500 each
time. Six or eight inches of crushed
stone properly applied to any of our
streets and country roads would render
excellent service for generation. Let us
profit by the experience so agreeably at
tanned in other localities, and begin to
transform our county roads from sloughs
of despond to highways of pleasantness.
Sewers.
The matter Of sewers should receive
our careful attention. A large amount
of work has been done the past year, and
quite an amount should be done this year
if possible. A profile of our sewerage
system with correct elevations and meas
urements should be made. Sewers are
very much needed on Winthrop and Court
streets, also an extension is needed to the
Eastern avenue sewer built last year.
Fire Department.
Our fire department has maintained its
high standing for pronptness and cili-
cheney during the past year. You will
notice by the chief engineers report that
our fire loss fortunately has been small.
During the past year the hose houses
have been thoroughly renovated and
painted, at considerable expense Three
new fire alarm boxes have been added to
the system; several more can be added
this year to good advantage.
earnestly recommend for your con-
sideration the purchase of q chemical
engine combined with hook and ladder
truck. In consultation with the chief
engineer we find that by placing com
bined chemical engine and hook and lad
der truck at the Cushnoc Hose Company $
house. and the transfer OF our present
hose wagon across the river, and the dis
continuance of the old hook and ladder
truck and the single horse hose wagon
and the changes that necessarily follow
in the fire department., that the extra ex-
pepse of maintenance will be very triiling.
The service and fire protection OF the city
would be greatly augmented The steam
whistle so long connected with the Alien
building has been purchased by the city,
and is now connected with the steam
plant of the Augusta Lumber Company,
where steam pressure Is kept up every
minute OF the year.
Poor Department.
The ovcrseers of the poor have not as
vet rendered their report, so | can only
speak of that department in general
way. A marked improvement has show n
itself in the management of the farm the
past year, and it is the desire of the pres
cntImanagement to make the farm self
sustaining, If not source of revenue. IN
the month of December the barns and
contents, including q part of the farming
utensils, several head Of cattle and num-
Der of swine, were destroyed by fire.
There was an insurance of about $1,000
upon the buildings Upon the stock and
crops the loss was entire. a modern barn
will be built the coming season. l trust
that this department will receive our care
full attention.
Schools.
Our schools on the whole are in a very
satisfactory condition, especially in the
CITY. but in quite a portion of the country
districts need thorough reorganization
II. Tof