Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-03-18
CITY GOVERNMENT.
The New Organization Take
Seats, Monday Morning.
Mayor Danfcrth's Inaugural Full Of
Suggestions for City's Good.
Miner Officers Elected and Appointed
The Several Committees.

city government met at 10 o'clock
Monday morning. for organization and
the election of the remaining officers of
the city.
After the boards had been called to
order and the credentials had been pre-
scented, Daniel Weeks was chosen pres
ident pro tempore of the aldermen, and
Frank Hamlin, president pro tempore
of the council. They then met in joint
convention and took the oath of office,
prayer having been offered by Rev.
William Cashmere. They then ad-
jourEed and made their organizations
permanent. Mayor Danforth was
sworn and then delivered his address.
Mayor Danforth's Address.
Gentlemen of the City Council:
We stand at the beginning of another
municipal year. called by the city to con-
duet its affairs during the year to come.
Let us, then, be faithful to the duties de-
voIved upon us, and discharge these du
ties to the best of our ability.
You have before you the reports of the
auditor and Of the heads of the various
departments. These perhaps could have
been better arranged if we had more
time. and | think that it would be well
if the city council would fix on FebrU-
ary fifteenth as the close of the financial
year, thus allowing a month in which to
make up the reports.
On eXafnining the auditors report YOU
will see that our net debt is S99,S56.50. In
making up this report we have included
in available resources those items which
we intend and wish to put into cash as
soon as possible. and have included the
Williams fund in the liabilities, as that
is in the treasurcr's hands, being set apart
for the common and public library, and
can be used for n0 other purpose. Owing
l. gfA yagah
al the present time to fix the amount OF
interest and of rebates that are incl luded
in the uncollected taxes. These items
would change the available resources so
that the net deDt would be more than Is
given in this report We have paid the
note for $1,000 and the balance of out
standing bills on March /. 1901, of about
$500, while this year, as near as | can
learn. the balance of outstanding bills is
less than $100.
For the needs of the various depart
ments | would refer you to the reports OF
the heads of those departments. There
are a few items, however, that | wish es-
pecially to call to your attention. First,
the light at the high school: The Win
dows there are small and insufficient
greatly injuring the eyes of the pupils
who attend the school. | would recon-
mend that this be remedied this year, "a
l think it necessary that it should be
done. Second, the drawbridge: This has
been examined and it will be necessary 10
take some a,ction to replace 1t during the
year. Third, the sidewalks of the city, as
many Of you know, are in bad condition
and need a liberal appropriation to make
them what they should be. | would re-
commend that SO far as possible, the
sidewalks that we build in the future
should be permanent Plank sidewalks.
in the long run, are the most expensive
made, and where possible, We should use
other material, Fourth, our city bulid-
ing: We are now paying $l45 per year
for 20 nj n of 20
the books and papers are in various
places, many of them exposed to loss and
danger from fire. The rear of this build
ing could be arranged to make conVen-
lent rooms for tile aldermen and common
cornell. These rooms could be fixed with
a movable partition so that when de-
sired they could be made into one room.
The rooms now occupied by the board OF
aldermen and common council could be
taken for the city clerk and assessors
and overseers of the poor. with a desk for
the tax collector. Then with good vau.
our city matters could be made safe and
convenient. This, l think, would be ad-
vantageous and economical for the city.
Fifth. sewers: During the past year u
sewer has been constructed from the
White lot to the sewer on Water street,
near the rear of the lots on Church
street and the public library. doing away
with the great nuisance near the Univer-
salist church. There are, however, othe:
places that need attention, and | would
sewers. In many cities one half of the
cost of sewers is assessed upon the abut-
ting owners, and it would be well for us
to adopt the same principle.
The contract with the kennebec Light
& Heat Company expires during the COM
ing year, and a new contract should be
made, or other means provided for light
ing the city. This is matter which
should have early and careful attention.
l would also recommend that the sub
ject of the water supply for the city be
carefully investigated and that such ac-
tion be taken as will be for the best in
tereSt OF the city in regard to the same.
Bonds to the amount of $4,000 become
due on April 10, of the present year This
will require early action on your part,
that they may be renewed or paid
1t seems to me that some changes
should be made regarding some of our
city officers. The city solicitor is now
paid a small salary with additional
variable and uncertain amount. | believe
that he should have a fixed salary which
should be in full for all services of every
kind, except for money actually paid out
for expenses, and in my judgment after
talking with some of our attorneys ana
others, S100 would be fair salary for this
purpose. In regard to the tax collector,
We should insist and make it part of the
ordinances that all taxes must be settled
in year from the January following the
date they are committed to the collector.
| would suggest that the salary be fixed
at $500 or $3.50 S400 of this to be paid IN
quarterly payments of 500 each, and the
balance to be paid when the collector
settles with the city. | believe also that
our manner of choosing city officers
should be changed in some respects. The
streets, sewers, etc, should be under the
control of a commission of three men,
one being chosen each year by the city
council. This mas been tried in other
cities, and so far as | know has given
good satisfaction. In my judgment the
mayor should have more authority and
more responsibility. | think that the city
marshal and through him the police,
should be under the control of the may
or. To do this, the city marshal should
be appointed by the mayor and con-
firmed by the aldermen or city council
and all policemen should be so appointed.
doing awaYfxth the present constables,
over whom the city marshal has no au-
thority. There are other officers whom
il might be well to have appointed in u
similar manner. This being my last
term, | feel free to make these recon-
mendations. These changes may require
legislative action, and cannot be made
for the ensuing year. From what ! have
learned in the past year, i think it i'm
portant that our assessors should meet
monthly for the transaction of business
This may be fixed by an ordinance, or
possibly an order of the city council.
greatly improved. Under the present ar
rangement. in each department one man
contracts the bills. approves them and
pays them. This seems to me to open a
wide door for anyone who is disposed to
be dishonest. l believe that all bills
should be contracted by the heads of the