Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-09
even II 1t become necessary to deduct
some from that Of the highway appro-

/ even II 1t become necessary to deduct
some from that Of the highway appro.
priation.
Il The poor department is an import
ant one and requires careful looking
latter. I believe this department has
been well managed the past year. II
is difficult to determine in advance
i what amount the department will need
but this year we have kept we'll with
in the appropriation. Much credit is
due Mr.. and Mrs. Leach for their care
j full administration of the affairs of the
city farm. .
While we are justly proud Of our
water works system and the good
! showing made by this department,
and VIC all agree that our water works
are Il valuable asset, yet it seems to
| NE we should take some action to ex-
| tend or increase our water supply.
There are three feasible plans sug-
gested by Mr.. Metcalf, the engineer,
who looked our plant over during the
summer, viz:
First: Excavating at the city farm
reseryo Dir and thereby increasing the
storage capacity sufficiently to reserve
the necessary water; second: to con-
tinue as we are now doing, taking over
tine Cascade property as reserve. and
pumping when needed; third: to con-
meet with the Augusta system and pur-
| chase from them at a stated price such
amount of water as may been needed
in addition to our present supply.
/ Our citizens should not be hasty in
forming their opinions on this import
ant question. but give each PROPOSE
ton due consideration.
| in order that we may understand
the first proposition 1 would suggest
| that the commissioners or a joint com
nlittee including members of the board
of aldermen he instructed to take such
steps as are necessary to ascertain at
an early date the amount for which
| they can get such excavating done
and report the same to this body
| A public office is indeed thankless
task and I do not think the public ap-
preciate the time that the commission
ers have given to the success of our
water works; but that they have been
carefully administered do not believe
anyone can deny who will candidly
examine the treasurer's report for the
| last 10 years.
We. are annually expanding $1,000 per
year for hydrant service. This amount
comes out of the pockets of the tax
payers, and as this plant is now self
supporting and revenue producing and
| Is beyond the experimental stage, l
can see no wisdom in continuing this
| much difficulty in making both ends
meet without increasing our tax rate.
1 recommend that a committee con-
| fer early in this year with the water
commissioners in an effort to secure
| free hydrant service for our city.
The fire department is in good condi-
ton, 7 am informed by the chief, ex-
cept that they need 500 feet of new
hose.
The chimneys of the fire department
building need to be re-topped at an
earIv date: a contract for doing this
work was let last fall but so late that
it was thought best to postpone the
work until spring. In our schools the
high standard of the past should at
| least be maintained and If possible
their efficiency increased. We owe it
to the rising generation to see that
they shall have the very best of edu-
cational advantages. The condition of
our schools is fairly satisfactory and
there is no reason why the schools Of
J TIallowell, in the work they attempt to
Go. should not rank with the lest III
the State. If we are to maintain our
position, those estimable features,
manual training and domestic science
should soon be added.
When one has observed what favor
abIn influence they have toward man.
,lal labor. the instruction of them IS
only q matter of means. 1 shall strong
" recommend that we make our appro-
rriation sufficient to enable us to MAKE
start along these lines.
beg to call the attention of this
board to one institution in our city
that does not receive as much assist
ance as il needs or deserves as comnar-
cd with the benefits we are receiving.
Our Public library should receive a
larger financial backing in the future
than in the past and ! recommend that
your appropriation for this year be
reasonably increased.
want to call your attention to TIL"
matter of fire escapes for our city
hall and recommend that you appro-
pirate such q sum as is necessary to
properly equip the building with such
escapes as are necessary to quickly
and safely clear both balcony and hall
! i'll case of fire. 7 also recommend that
the concrete walk in front of the City
hall be relaid and placed at proper
grade as shall make it safe for the
public to walk upon in the icy season
The laws should be strictly and i'm
partially enforced and 1 ask your CO.
| operation and that of the police de-
| rartment in this end.
| Again 1 wish to call the attention of
| this board to the Importance of revis-
| ing the city ordinances. 1t has been
now IL years since this has been done
and I earnestly recommend that you
give this your early attention.
In closing / wish to say I have en-
deavored to briefly call to your mind
some of the things most needed. I do
rot suppose that we can accomplish
this year all the thipgs have suggest
| cd, but give each due consideration
| and select those you deem most i'm
portant.
I realize after a years experience
| tia the administration is looked upon
&c tho poaynr'c and all the crit iciSmS