Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-14
CITY WATER WORKS.

ueuutIlul condition that We have In the
past.
CITY WATER WORKS
During the past year the water com.
.niSsl0ners have practically completed the
TASK or supplying our city with "a splen-
aid system OF water works, agreeable to
the plan mapped out by previous city gov
ernments, and to the direct wish of our
people expressed IN general caucuses on
several occasions. This commission has
Deen most efficient and painstaking and
l believe that today we nave one Of the
ihest water systems in the State. To
complete the work the supply pipe from
the town farm should be lowered on tn,
top of Winthrop hill about nine feet for
short distance, and the service pipes
extended short distances in a few places
snat all our people may derive Il benefit
We have Al fire MIGRANTS in the city for
which the city will have, Of course, to
make an appropriation. As the incoffie
from the system will undoubtedly soon
pay interest charges and operating ex-
snaii make can be used TO establish Il
sinking find for the payment of the
bonded debt.
CITY BUILDINGS.
About one year ago | was approached
ny noble hearted woman of our city
VINO apprised me that ii was her wish to
give 10 our city new city hall, provided
mat a suitable building could be erected
Tor the sum of s20.0oo, and was request
ca TO procure plans and destinations and
submit the same for her considera ton ::
as result, We have nearly completed n
nan mat Will prove, In my opinion. Of
ample size for all time. In presenting this
splendid monemeut to her memory Mrs.
f,iiZd Lowell attached M conditions or
objectionable obligations. merely express-
liis the wish that the city would sufii-
GENTLY appreciate the gift to keep it re-
spectacle, which none. can have the
shShtest doubt our people will be sure to
do. When this building shall be ready
Tor occupancy the disposition of the pres
ent city hal, will demsnd your considera-
ton; Should Foti decide ~ Keep the fire
Water street, there will be necessary
some repairs, while the present quarters
of the Hook L. Ladder Co. are so well
known to you to be unfit for occupancy
that | need not go into details. The
school committee report that numerous
repairs Will he necessary on several
school buildings which should receive
your careful consideration.
TAXATION AND APPROPRIATIONS
Considerable of a furry was created by
parties in our city before this last NUM-
cipal election, who were apparently UNI
mindful or ignorant of the true condition
Of affairs relative TO the matter of tax
rate and taxes in general; | Am in posi-
ton to state, without fear Of eontradir-
ton, that in the several city governments
of the past few years with whom | have
had the honor to be associated there has
not been a man but who was as anxious
to keep the rate of taxation down as any
reasonable person in our city. We all
have To be met by the hugbear taxes and
are anxious to keep them as low It's is con-
sistent with the public welfare but the
improvements and conveniences that our
people demand cannot be had without
the price, and it is Il noticeable fact to
members of previous city governments,
that several who have been loudest in
"A 10 TOW
also loudest in their demands for i'm
provements in their particular locality.
There are certain fixed charges that must
be met, our interest must be paid schools
maintained highways and sidewalks kept
safe for public travel, fire department
and general running expenses provided
for and l am of the opinion. gentlemen
that when all this il done. and done as
economically as in your power lays. any
material reduction in our present tax
rate will be difficult but l pledge you
and our citizens my honest, hearty sup
port to bring our expenses to the lowest
point consistent with the public good.
There is one point that ! wish particular
~ to call your attention to, viz: the prac-
tice of overdrawinx appropriations. 1t Is
wrong, inconsistent With our ordinances
and should not be allowed. When the APP
preparations are made up each and every
department should be impressed that this
practice will not be tolerated and that all
bills contracted in excess will not be al
lowed and paid by this city council. Let
the appropriations be made and the
amount raised by taxes, and the miscel-
laneous receipts which have frequently
been used to overcome these deficiencies
could then be used. as they properly
should. to establishing a sinking fund to
meet our outstanding obligations az they
shall mature. Let us, gentlemen. endeav-
or to give our city the same business
like administration that we would accord
our private affairs. let us devote to each
department that care and attention
til, l.a1 IN nd N h.t .
the satisfaction of knowing that although
a certain disgruntled element will assail
us even to the extent of personal abuse
and Misrepresentation, the large proper
ton of our citizens. who know and ap-
preciate honest endeayor. Will accord us
the full measure of credit that IL our
due and we shall have clear consciences
before Him who can judge us better than
man.
GEO. A. Stafford.
Ifallowell, March 18th. 1899.