Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-06
new CITY GOVERNMENT
E. B. Taft Reelected President
Of the Board of Aldermen.
Mayor BWrke's Message Read-'Only
One Re publican nmong the city
Officials Eiected--sehool Com.
missioner Nye Resigns.


ing year. Both bodies are the same as Il
year ago. every candidate having been re-
elected at the March election There was
n contest over the election Of a president
Of the board, but Elhu u. Taft was re-
elected upon the 14th ballot. There were
also several contests at the executive SEES
sion OF the city council and ms "A result
there are a number Of changes in city
officials republicans being replaced by
democrats. Tho most important changes
are the election of water and street COM
missioners. These boards are both demo-
cratic now and it Is expected that Super
intcndcnt Herald Stevens and Supcrin-
tcndcnt +. II. crandal will both he sue
cceded by democrats.
BOARD ORGANIZES.
called TO order by Clerk McMahon. who
presided during the election of "a presi-
dent. The name of Alderman Taft was
pre- scented by Alderman Reeves and Alder
man Mcaghcr nominated Alderman Will
lard as candidate for president. The first
vote was cast on strict party lines. cacl!
candidate receiving five votes The vote
remained the same until the eighth ballot
when Alderman Taft received five Alder
man Willard four and Alderman German
one" From that time on the ballots va
ricd. every democratic member receiving
a vote at some time When tho 18th bal
lot was cast one of the democratic mem
bers joined with the republicans. who had
voted solidly for TAFT. and when the vote
was counted 1t was announced that Alder
man Taft had six and Alderman Willard
four.
After the election Alderman Reeves
moved that the rules Of last year be
adopted and the motion was carried. May
or Burke then delivered the following
message:
To the Honorable Board Of Aldermen
Gentlemen Before taking up the re-
sponsible duties Developed upon the chief
executive of the city Of DurlinG ton, l feel
ii my duty TO express my sense of the
honor conferred by The citizens in electinS
mo to the highest Office within their gift.
In entering upon the executive duties in
trusted to me, with an honest pride and
satisfaction in the vordict of my fellow
citizens. | have no promises or pledges II
| make. only to give the city an honest and
businesslke administration
In compliance with the usual custom and
provisions of the city charter. ] herewith
submit matters of Importance which
deem worthy of your consideration. and
would respectfully ask your honorable
body to give them tho attention they de-
serve.
The financial standing of our city Jan
uary /. 1905, showed bonded debt oi
$4,000 less sinkirg fund of $lO5,e7s Il
4, 1. IoI ,lNl>t <,fe
s2l.59. The surplus balance in the hands
Of the treasurer on January l was SITS ID
Included in tho amount representing the
net bonded debt. ar water bonds. to the
amount of s2559uo. The interest of which
is paid each year FROM the revenue derived
| from the water department. which sun
amounts to about $500. II this sum OF
So 900 representing the water ponds is de
Quoted from inc gross bonded debt. il
leaves a bondod debt of only S5o9.a2l59 tn,
interest Of wh.oh only Is provided for il
! our annual tax levy. | feel that ! an
right in taking his view of the matter n.
our water syst,m. which, if placed fol-
sale at any tiu.. would command n lHrg'
premium on it cost. Whereas the othe
bonds. such as street Improvement an'
ra broad bonds ere constantly depreciatint
in value from year to year and the peopl
are constantly raxcd to keep them up.
FRI DEPARTMENT.
feel that | have a right to claim
that this is one of the most important
departments # the public service. ant
we should cnieavor to keep il up t'
it's present gh standard. Harmon,
and good feelings prevail amongst III
members and good management I'M
der its presot chief has character
lied its actions. during the past year
and while We may well feel prou'
of its present condition. we must no
forget that our city is CONSTANT.
growing. as many valuable building
have been and. are being built, thcr"
by making il necessary for us Il
make this department more efficient
in order to give them the protection
they must have. Last year ! calle'
your attention to this matter. by rec
ommending new fire station bein,
built on the market ground so as T.
accommodate the chemical engine an,
hose truck also the purchasing of
new and up-to-datc hook and ladde
truckc as our present one is antiquat
! ctl anu DIatiltdIIN WI tHi'SS anu
disgrace to the department We mus
also owing TO the conditions exist
ing in ward ono, provided better pro
lection there by purchasing moder
up to-date fire engine. thinG W
have promised. and this promise mus
be kept As to the expense and hoy
to provide for the same. will say tina
: the expense will be about $4,000. an
the rental of the present station 10
which ! have had an offer OF S1,'o
Il year, will pay the interest on tn
loan, and provide sinking iund I
take care of the loan when due, $
that the taxpayer will not be Gale
] upon to pay ii single cent. rms
\ believe 10 bc Il good business propo
! sition, and one any private individu;
y would not hesitate to accept. Thos
e institutions of learning and prlVa'
II residences are the pride OF the Quee
+ city. must have better fire protection
a and most earnestly request that yo
s give this matter your early attention
I PUBLIC DOCK.
4 After many years of discussion by ou
u citizens as To the need Of public whar
q the matter was brought to your attentio
u last year with "A recommendation IN;
u You give il your early attention, ana
take great pleasure in rendering YOU
y behalf of the citizens of burlington the
u thanks for the interest you nave take
l. in the matter; as | am now IN II positio
to announce to the public that In fe
months the city of Burlington Will ow
public wharf. As you are aware n con
mittee has the matter in charge, and a
!, ter considerable corrcspondcnce and ne