Waterbury Democrat., 1902-01-07

|
 In 1903 we will be called upon to expend for q like purpose not less than $8O,OOO.
 F The last of the ' per cent City hall bonds expired and were taken up dur 1 ing the year past.
 1 While the bonded indebtedness may appear large to many of our citizens, 1t should be borne in mind that $S3OOOO of the same are water bonds, all put $20,OO0 of which were issued during the past seven years for the Branch supply The city could receive for It's water system a sum that would Hqul- date all of it's indebtedness and leave a handsome surplus ill our treasury. I Tn connection with our financial con- I dition the people within the old city 1 lines, after long effort on their part, are to be congratulated that they have at last secured that which has been justly due them for many years. l re- fer to the handsome income that will heerafter be received in the shape of l liquor license money.
 It is hardly necessary to call your attention to the fact that the expense of many of the departments has in creased from 100 to 400 per cent in the past twenty years, and that many new departments, involving heavy expendi- l lures, have been added during that l period. With the growth of the city, and our growth has certainly been a remarkable one during the past two decades, our expenses have necessarily increased. None of our departments can be run for less money than it is using at present without impairing it's efficiency. In fact, many of the de- partments need much larger sums than are at present given them, and the same could be used to good pur- pose. More money should be eXpend- ed each year in the extension of per- manent pavement; more money should De expended each year in the exten- sion Of surface water drainage; more money ill lighting, and more in the care of our street and sewer systems. l believe that our income should be much larger than it is. and I believe that 1t can be increased very material i ly without imposing any hardship or injustice upon our taxpayers. I had I occasion to present to previous boards the necessity of having the law rela- tive to listing property enforced. There ! Is no question but what our grand list could be greatly increased if the pro. J
 The assessors in the past have not given the new method the considera D ton which it is entitled, and with the new method of appointment of mem beps of said board, this would appear 5 to be a proper time to insist upon the observance of the law and to list the q property of all corporations, business firms and individuals with equality and fairness
 Department of Educations !, l have been much impressed witt : the size and importance of this depart ment since my connection with it tw, years ago. A practical experience il connection with the management o
 school affairs has greatly increase,
 this importance to me, and has showl O the necessity on the part of the cit,
 in keeping pace at all times with tn IO interests and requirements of this de
 partment. While it's current expense )0 are seemingly large, I know of but fey . places at the present time where econ 70 omy could be practiced without doin
 injury. With one or two exception. I the school buildings and surrounding
 are in good condition. The new Walls
 school, an eighteen-room building, an
 
 M building, are i'll process of constructio
 and will be ready for occupancy at tn ,0 opening of the fall term I think
 would have been wiser to have apprt 10 priated money for a new building fo - the Elm street lot than to use it in tn DO construction of building in the soutl
 erly section of the city, not but whs II a new building will be needed in ths 10 locality in the near future
 as There is a harmony of action be " tween the superintendent, the prime to pals and teachers which is productiy le of much good.
 O. Your attention is called to the yer IT. full and complete report of the supe IS intendent. Parents should be esp
 cially interested ill what he has to sa CT on the importance of home study. s- Department of Public Works. 1e 1 The work of increasing the Branc
 supply, commenced in the fall of 19O
 has progressed in fairly rapid mal
 ner, considering the difficulties encoul
 tered, and will be completed befol
 July 1st of this year.
 70 Under the supervision of our eli
 engineer this work has been excellen OO ly done, and although large sums
 money have been expended since i O0 inception, it is a work of which q
 should feel proud, and I would advi, OO as many of our citizens as can find m convenient to visit the place during Il
 coming year. Very few of them in I UO lation to the whole number have set oo this great work, which has doubl, uu the former capacity of the reservo " @ The reservoirs in the eastern sectit oo of the city are in excellent conditit
 and show the result of careful atte - ton.
 oo During the past two years perm
 nent pavement (vitrified brick) h
 been laid on Spring street. on Nor GO Main street, at North square. so-calle " son North Main street from Nor
 square to Kingsbury street; on Nor DO Main street, from East Main street
 Abbott avenue. West Main stre, .UU south side. from Exchange place to
 point in line with the west line of t .UO park, was paved with sheet aspha -uo These Improvements were very mu
 needed and have met with the a .oo proval of the public. The paving
 North Main street. from Kingsbu .oo street southerly, and from Elizabe
 street northerly, to meet the paveme