The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-05-15
MAYORS REPORT.
Annual Report of Mayor Meehan of
City Work for the Past Year,
and Recommendations.

i City Work for the Past Year,
and Recommendations.
To the Honorable City Council of the
City of Milbank:
In compliance with the laws of this
state | beg leave to submit to the coun.
Gil and to the citizens of the city of
Milbank such Information relative to
the affairs of the city as l may pos
scss, and further such recommends.
tions to the council as may by me be
! deemed expedient to the welfare of the
city.
| One year ago, when l assumed the
| Office of Mayor of this city there was
S46s7.44 in the city treas ury, of which
amount there was $lSl9 O4 in the gen.
era. fund, $50.23 in the waterworks
| fund, $24.4 in the interest fund, 1912
in the library fund, and 81, 1872. 81 in
the sewer fund. At this time there il
in the city treasury s363s.37, made up
as follows: General fund $2678. .86,
water works fund S19.6O, interest fund
$4l1 .43, library fund Sl4.lO, sewer
fund S51l.38, making an increase OF
the balance of the general fund from
last wear, OF Sl,O57 80, making q net
| decrease in ali funds of s1O57 OF, which
is accounted for by the fact that the
! sewer fund held at the the last annua
| report $2832 81, while at this time,
| there being no sewer under construc-
tiOn Shere is in the sewer fund only
| S51l.38.
During the year all temporary loans
have been paid off, the sewer system
completed, and other improvements
made. OF the moneys expended dur
ing the past year approximately the
sum OF $3.50 was paid for the building
| OF first-lass bridge across the Whet-
stone creek north of the Catholic
church. A considerable amount was
expended in putting the city property,
consisting of city hall. engine house,
pump house, city jail and grounds in
good shape, and q large number OF
cement crossings were constructed,
streets repaired and graded.
The sanitary conditions of the city
are the best, and the sewer system has
been complete success, taking care
of the sewage of the city and also dur
ing the heavy rains of last year ard
in the spring when there has been un-
usual accumulations of water on the
surface; it has also taken care of the
surplus water, and there are no places
in the city where surface drainage
collects and remains on the surface.
The balance of the money was spent
for street work, officers salaries, and
in other ways for the betterment of the
city, itemized accounts of which may
be had by referring to reports of city
auditor and treasurer.
TAXATION
The assessed valuation of the CITY
as equalized by the state and county
boards for the year 1907 as $4OO, ,424,-
90. Assessment of city property was
practically on the same basis in 1906
and 1907: the assessment remaining
about the same keeps the taxation on
the low level which has been main
tanned during the past.
The total amount of taxes levied for
1907 was $500 90. which is very low
for city at this stage of its growth,
and makes taxes very reasonable con-
sidering our improvements and the
benefits derived by our citizens.
STREETS AND BRIDGES
The excellent condition of the streets
in our city is something the council
and citizens may we'll feel proud Of.
There is no city in the state the streets
OF which are finer than those of Mil.
bank, and this condition prevails
without the expenditure of a very large
sum of money each year. In regard
to Main street | may say that its con-
clifton, while not bad, might be i'm
proved upon by cutting down the un-
even place caused by the placing of
sewer anG water mains therein, and
giving it coat of gravel. This is q
matter for the consideration of the
council, and if it is done will be a valu-
able Improvement to the cltv
The bridge across the MILESTONE at
the northeast approach to the city has
already been referred to and is now
substantial, safe and passable for all
kinds of loads, and the bridge and
grades have been put on the sectlol
line.
SIDEWALKS
There were twenty cement crossings
built by the city last year, and also
large amount Of cement walks ali over
the city by owners of adjoining pro-
perty. There being nothing used now
in the construction of crossings or
sidewalks except cement, our city ia
fast acquiring metropolitan appear
ance. and it will not be long before
every Doard walk and crossing in the
city is replaced by cement. which will
relieve the city of a constant source
OF ANNOYANCE. There are some cross
ings which should be replaced by the
contractors under their bonds. and If
this Is not done at once the council
should proceed against the sureties on
said bonds to compel the contractors
to make the necessary repairs.
WATERWORKS
Ii is now one year since the new
engine pumping apparatus was in
stalled, and the pumping plant has
oeen IN constant operation ever since.
furnishing al the water necessary for
domestic uses, street sprinklin1 ana
fire protection.
The water from the wells now in use
being soft Is used for laundry pur.
poses and from the several analy ses
which have been made Of the water Il
Is found to contain nothing iu1urious
to health, but on the other hand q