Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1900-05-12
TOWN AND VICINITY.
Town Council.


in the chair, all councilmen present and
clerk Mason at the desk.
The bailiff'S report Of months col
lccti0ns Of taxes, water rents and fines,
amounting 10 S5iG.Sl, was read.
Water superintendent report came
next. iii substance as follows:
Extended t,inch line up German and
Center street; 1-inch line to George Hay S
property, l57 feet; flushed out the town water
mains, cleaned both reservoirs and started
pump to fill large reservoir. Found the .
inch line from Wittig spring from culvert
down bursted; had to take up same and re-
pair it. There is now :! feet of water in
large reservoir.
Trcasurer's report, showing net de
tcicncy Of S244.2l, was read.
Clerk Mason read the annual report
il document whose gct-up is very credit
able to his care, skill and penmanship.
Councimen 3. T. Schofcld and w. S.
Bennett, finance committee, certified
that they had audited the accounts Of
Clerk and Treasurer and found them
correct.
Mayor Nickel thanked Council for its
work during the year, end then
On motion, the old body adjourned
sine die, Messrs. Shuckhart, Schofeld
and Crump retiring.
Mayor Nickel requested Mr.. Mason to
accept appointment as clerk pro tenn. I'M
til his successor could be elected.
The roll was called, all found present
and McSsrs. George 5. Wilson, Ben
jamin Jenkins and Charles II. Hamill,
councilmen-clect, were sworn i'll.
Mayor Nickel's inaugural, condensed
as follows, was read:
Members Of CouncH dud FellOm citizens:
With your indulgence | wi ! read a short
message, prepared as somewhat of guide for
the transaction of the towns business af-
fairs during the year upon which we are
about to enter. You have few minutes
ago taken the oath of office to represent the
interest of the citizens and taxpayers OF the
corporation of FrOStburg, and do sincerely
hope you will assist to the very best OF your
ability in carrying out to as great extent as
possible the expectations of the Ieope whom
we represent.
Before 20 into details, however, | want to
say to my friends who have hOnored me
with the Mayoralty thrice in succession
that have no language at my command to
express my appreciation, Of the honors con-
ferred on me- but will venture to affirm,
however, that if my previous service and
fidelity to the towns best interest as Council
man for two years served to make me
meritorious, | can assure you that your
confidence will not be abused now. |
will endeavOr to serve the citizens and tax
payers Of this corporation with even greater
zeal in the future and as faithfully as IN the
past. And hope my legislative association
with this board will be as pleasant as it has
been with the several preceding boards
OF this | have no doubt; hence, ] wei
come the new members and express the
greatest confidence that each will help to
make this administration success in crafty
ing citizens and taxpayers far as we can.
You are all aware that we enlarged the
limits of this corporation about two years
ago at that time thought to be good thing
by some members of the Council because of
more revenue to be received. find, however
that the revenue from that source is not by
one half enough to satisfy the requirements
and demands OF the people of the annex
The income of taxes therefrOm is some
thing like 500; if we We're to provide light
and repair streets properly it would take
treble the amount. Hence, it is necessary
for the Council to devise plans by which
these demands can be satisfied at the least
cost to the best interests OF the annexed peO-
pie and without detriment to the corporation
at large. There is so much need of improve
ment and even additional lights in the town
that, to furnish them would swell the eX
pendiures so much more than the taxes col
lectable will justify.
1t is, therefore, necessary for the Council
and the various committees to be very
cautious to stay within the limits Of our in
come.
There is another matter that ! want to call
the attention of the Council to. From in
formation | have from the books of the cor
poration the expenditure or outlay of the
town for meals, commitments. and magis
trates' fees so far exceed the income fIom
fines, arrests, etc, that | think the matter
should have the special attention of the
Council and especially of the Finance Com
mttee.
| would also add that | would like the
Council to sustain the Mayor in an effort to
compel all subordinate officers to obey the
laws and enforce the orders of tie Mayor and
Council.
Now, for instance, there are the uncolect-
ed taxes and water rent: the former bears in
terest, the latter does not The taxes running
back for several years, if collected, would OBJ
viate the necessity of continually borrowing
money. Whilst there may be some excuse
for the taxes, there is certainly none for the
water rents being in arrears 50 far, especially
since they hear no interest; therefore | would
urge the immediate collection of the water
rent.
Under recent law passed by the legiS-
lature the Mayor and Council will be COM
PEELED to hold a special election for the people
to say by their votes whether bonds in the
amount of $4,000 shall be issued to build a
new or repair the old reservoir, and | would
suggest that each member of the Council give
this matter careful consideration, as | think
it is necessary for the town to have a good,
clean receptacle for the storage of its water
supply. In my opinion no effort should be
spared to secure and preserve Il good and suf-