Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-16

n
ing municipal year. Some o,,it. ~,
p p, .'ii' MATTERS need not be critically
discussed Until the routine of business
us .,, ana at this time only those
"i We reviewed which are most ur-
gem, Inc industrial depression of the
past year mas affected our State and
ei':' ana our local mills and factories
nave suffered from decreased OUTPUT
ana profit, and labor has been de-
orlved OF It's usual returns; but now our
industries have resumed their wonted
hours OF operation and the average
amount of employment is restored.
me future looks favorable for at least
the existing activity and let US hope
1hat j new prosperity is in store for
us. ..t.t
"fhe financial status of the CITY
SHOULD be OF interest to every citizen
and especially to those upon whom the
direction of the affairs of the city will
far. The amount of the city debt and
the dates when bonds will be fall
lns due, with the rate of interest can
be recorded concisely as follows:
The interest bearing debt of the
city at the present time is SIZE. 500
OF this amount, $4,000 is represented
by bonds at four per cent interest
ana $4,000 at three and one-half per
cent. interest. Five thousand dollars
will fall due in 1870 $4,000 in 1911.
$500 in 1912, $4,000 on 1916, $4,000 in
1919 and $4,000 in 1928.
The sinking fund of $4,000 or more
required by ordinance should amount
to quite enough to liquidate all the
bonds AS fast as they become due from
the present time to and inclusive of
the amount falling due in 1919. The
amount falling due in 1925 or $4,000.
will be nearly if not quite taken care
of by the sinking fund and interest
thereon, so that we can look hopefully
forward to the extinguishment of the
entire bonded Indebtedness in 1928.
mo temporary loans are now out
standing, and none should be, nego-
tiated except to meet the current ma
nieipal expenses until such time as
funds have accumulated from taxes in
sufficient amount to discharge the
loans. and no further loans should be
required except in the most pressing
emergency. 1t should be the watch
word of every department to keep
within their appropriation, for other
wise the most careful foresight will
be unavailing.
"a large amount has been expended
during the past year upon the bridges,
as their condition demanded thorough
repairs in order to forestall any La
bility on the part of the city which
might result from accidents. The
bridges should not require more than
ordinary repairs for some time to
come.
1.-THE Gardiner and Randolph bridge
will doubtless receive the benefit OF
a resolve in the Legislature appropri-
ating $1,000 per year for the next two
years. and this enactment will relieve
the city of any burden upon this
structure. A general bridge bill would,
if passed, remove any anxiety regard
ing The bridge in the future. but 1t
will probably not be enacted before
the pleasure Of some prospective Leg
iSlature sees fit.
permanent roads are an enNlablc
feature in any community, but unfor-
tunately our soil and topography are
of the quality that such cannot be
constructed except at large expense.
BY perma nent roads is meant perma-
nent in reality as we'll as IN name.
There should be a proper foundation
of large stones and Superstructure OF
smaller stone and gravel with pro
vision made for sufficient drainage,
with drain tile if necessary on grades
to carry off the water at all seasons.
The construction of this class of nigh
WAYS has been advocated to former
governments, but any continuous con-
struction has not been attempted,
probably on account of the great eX-
pense. If our resources permit / would
re commend construction in continual
ton of the short stretches already IN
use and would hope to see that policy
prevail until some of our highways at
least would be satisfactory at all times
Of the year
"1he enactment of 1907 requiring az
amount to be expended eacn year ioi
permanent roads will demand an APP
uropriatiO of about $500. Then TO Sc
cure the benefit of aid from the state
80 per cent. of this amount or S3)o must
be added to che Appropriation, mdhI"5
the minimum sum to be provided by
the city about $500. Since the ald from
the State would be 70 per cent. OF TINS
amount or 1878. the whole sum avail
able would be $1.575, and it certainty
appears to be a good business PROPOSE
ton to make the appropriation by INC
city at least 5000 and to apply the en-
tire amount upon some one OF the pIh~
,;pal highways leading out OF the city
as for example Brunswick avenue %
Cobbossee avenue, in continuation
nf the work of this character that ia'
already been accomplished othei
highways on which work of TINS ch'-r
actcr would be appreciated are Hish-
land avenue and River avenue A Ger
tain amount performed each year
would add much to the utility Oh our
highways and eventually provide inc
city with roads OF superior DUALITY.
.sThe foregoing may also De party
annlied with reference to perinaheii'
sidewalks. 1t appears that suliicl'HN
attention has not been paid, IN man!
,ases to foundation ana drainage
Some of these walks have also pee'l
b,,ilt too low and not properly des'shed
for the removal of snow ana siush' Ia
oil c,scs where new walks are necessary
tho usa of blanks should be abandoned