The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-12-05
MAYORS ANNUAL ADDRESS.

ne Advocates tho Erection OF View
Municipal Building.
Mayor Reed at the meeting Of the
board Of aldermen last Friday evening
made his annual address dealing with
local conditions. He referred to the
charge in the election laws which
brings the end of she year on January
first.
The roads Of the town, he said, are
in as good condition as at any time in
the past. While not in as good condi-
tion as they should be the number Of
poor roads is being lessened each year
and with a continuance OF the present
policy it will be possible to macada-
mize all the remaining streets of the
town without mourning standing in
debtedness. The question Of street
lighting, fire department., the prose-
cution Of road work and the laying and
rslaying of sidewalks are matters
which can be entrusted to the COM
mittees.
Three years ago last May there was
floating Indebtedness of S22, 900 with
an additional amount for current ex-
penses. At the present time there is
in the bank $4,000 saved from last
years appropriations and the indebted
ness paid off. With continuance Of
the economy of last year during the
current year there should be $4,000
more saved and the same policy in sue
ceeding years should give the same re-
suits.
The tax rate for the year 1908 was
2.02 per hundred dollars Of assessed
valuation for 1904 it was S1.92 and for
1905, Sl.S6. Notwithstanding the Hill
lery tax act the municipal rate next
year need not be reduced.
The county rate this year is 81 cents
per hu dred dollars. Under the Hill
lery law this rate must not exceed fifty
cents per hundred. This with ten pei
cent added for contingencies would
be fifty-tive. Deducting this reduction
of thirty-six cents per hundred fronl
the total rate leaves the Hillery maxi.
mum Of $3.50 per hundred The Total
deduction being made in the county
rate should make it possible for the
town TO raise the same amount and
with equal economy save the same
amount without any authorization Of
an increase by vote as provided under
the Hillery act. II the people should
desire higher rate and authorize the
same at the election of l906the present
rate would bring into posses sion d
the town $50, 900 per year.
During the past three years in ad
dition to the amounts spent on roads
from $1,000 to $1,000 per year has beer
spent in providing additional drainage
for surface water. All the points from
which complaints have come have beer
ATTENDED to, and this amout can here
after be spent on the surfaces of The
streets.
The Mayor referred to the beautiful
police station and urged the need Of 4
municipal building. EIe said that il
would be expensive to purchase new
location for such building and urget
the utilization of the lot corner o.
Speedwell avenue and Water street
now the property of the town.
He urged the appointment Of com
mittee to devise plans for a building
TO contain police headquarters anC
lookup on the Water street side of tht
building, Accommodations for the fir,
companies now occupying the Speed
well avenue fire house, a council cham
Der on the second floor and an assem-
bly, room on the third floor. The plar
could also include the needed dryine
tower for the fire department. hose
He suggested that the new structure
be built either in sections or that the
plot be cleared Of buildings and new
start be made, building the whole
structure at one time.
The present chambers of the alder
men cost the town S400 per year or tn,
interest on IS, 700 and in addition vault
room has to be hired outside.
Another question which the mavol
discussed was that Of sewerage but
which cannot originate whit the board
Any citizen can take up the matter b.
presenting petition to the board O
aldermen to be presented to the courl
and commissioners appointed to pre-
pare plans for submission to the voters
for approval.