Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-02-04

Gentlemen:--In accordance with the
provisions of the city charter. I respect
FULLY submit the following statement of
assets, liabilities and estimates for the
ensuing year:
ASSETS OF THE CITY OF BuRLING-
TON, JANUARY /. 1904.
Cash IN hand. ...............s s,156.65
ohcoilected taxes ESTIMATED
coliectabie) ........... 14,2s1.47
Uncollected water taxes for
1913 Observation-Disclosures. 1915
street assessments. ...... 14,223.39
Uncollected sprinkling taxes. 247.S7
Balance in school department. 1,117.O7
state acct of liquor cases. go. ss1.5s
North avenue extension. 1310oO
s40,171.41
LIABILITIES
Due street depart
ment ...........$ 109.S5
Due sinking fund. 12.S7S.1S
Temporary loans. 100000
Cemetery ......... $3.50 s9S.353.55
Net liabilities jan
uary /, leo4..... s5S,os2.14
ESTIMATED CURRENT EXPENSES
FOR 1904.
Highways ...................s 1926, 500 90
fund. .....".......... $4,000
state highway taX............ G,754.63
state school taX.............. 10,S07.40
county tax. ......."........ 1,350.93
SCHOOLS. ........ ........... 100000
Library NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 100000
Police and criminal depart
ments 100000
Fire department. ............. 5000 90
Public buildings. ........... 1000 90
street lights ................ 100000
Health .................... 100000
IncidentalS ................. $500. 90
Sewers NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 100000
Pauper department ...... 100000
Salaries NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 100000
Interest on bonds and notes
less amount paid by the
water department ......... s21 900 90
Band concerts ........., 1000 90
Interest on temporary loans. 100000
Hydrant tax ............. $4,000
Public parks ...... $1,000
so1o,22296
In arriving at these figures have
eliminated from the available assets the
sum of $4,000 as representing the old
Howard House, thereby increasing the
net liabilities of this year by 10000. as
compared with tho amount submitted by
my predecessor in last years report
In addition to the above amount. $2l2,-
CO. DC, representing the estimated current
expenses for the year l."t, some provision
should be made in taking care of the
sum represented as net liabilities. also
the sum OF $4,000. estimated as the
amount needed this year for the compile
ton of our new library, and the payment
of damages for the extension of new
streets in ward five.
The board OF aldermen have already
recommended that these sums be pro-
vided for by the issuing OF bonds at n
lower rate Of interest. This recommen-
dat ton meets my approval, and If adopted
and carried out. l am thoroughly con-
WINGED. will. with the anticipated increase
in our grand list. necessitate tax levy
for the year 1904 not much in excess, If
any, of the amount required for last
year.
wish also to state. as there appears
oyerdrafts in number Of the different
departments. they can be accounted for
largely on account of the expenses for
license commissioners. for which no pro-
vision was made, which sum amounted
to SLIGO; also. quite IA sum was needed
in addition to the amount appropriated
for the erection of our new almshouse,
Another department which shows an
over draft, is the police department.
| wish to state that owing to the steady
growth in population, also the large num-
Der of troops now stationed at Fort Ethan
Allen, the members of which frequent our
streets in such large numbers, especially
at night, ! felt it my duty to increase the
number of officers in the department.
Another matter l wish to speak of in
connection with this department, and
in so doing / intend no reflection on any
person. In assuming office, | felt il my
duty in order to raise the standard of
ba dan rtr n TO
reforms, bt in so doing ! have been
persistently pposed at all times by the
board of police examiners, and for this
reason. the expenses OF the department
were somewhat increased.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) JAMES Il. BURKE, Mayor.
THE CITY REPORTS.
The annual reports of the city officers
were presented to the aldermen and were
ordered printed in the city report. Alb
stracts from those which have not been
previously mentioned in the Free Press
follow
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT..
The report of Chief Murray of the fire
department shows that the department
has responded to 70 alarms during the
year. an increase of 80 over last year. The
estimated losses during the year are
placed at OF; the insurance paid,
S33 1873 II. estimated value of property in
volved. S233. ii4.Sl; net loss. $3,5+S33. The
cost of maintaining the department has
been sl6.07Gll and the appropriation was
81 800. The chief recommended that the
for 1904 be sl6.ooo The mum
Der of stone buildings in the city is shown
to be l.20i and of wooden buildings. 3,43S,
an increase of 80 during the year.
The chief recommends a horse and
wagon for himself; n new hook and lad
der truck, II suitable building for the
same, the appointment of a city cleo
trcian. purchase OF smoke protectors for
the department. new exercise wagon, new
fire alarm boxes, supply station for the
department.
CHIEF RUSSELLtS REPORT