Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-22


100 expensive to replace them with
the same material, the plan was adop-
ted of building gravel walks deep and
wide enough to be covered with con-
crete when it is thought best to ap-
propriate funds for this purpose. The
gravel walks have proved very salts
factory so far as any opinion has
been expressed. There are more plank
sidewalks which are a menace to safe
ty and should be replaced by gravel
walks built with the ultimate inten-
tion of concreting. In my address of
last year granolithc walk was rec
ommenaed for the lower end of Water
street, as far as Steamboat street, but
our appropriation was insufficient to
execute this plan. A walk of this
KIND on both sides would greatly i'm
prove this section of the business
street.
should the present government de-
eide TO make the usual Augmentation
for permanent roads, it will be adyis-
able to complete the section between
Green and Walnut streets, thus pro-
viding continuous state road to the
New Mills Bridge, and any remaining
funds could be applied upon Cobbossee
Ave.
The Fire Department is well SUM-
piled with hose and other apparatus
changes appear to be called for in sew
eral Of the hose houses and the mat
ter should be given attention early in
the season. The building of the H
w. Jewett Hose Co. on Bridge street
needs repairing, provided it be kept in
the present location, but a better plan
would be to move it a short distance
to the Armory lot where there is am
pie room either on Bridge street OF
Highland Ave. The building is rather
unsightly in its present location an6
its removal would effect much i'm
proVement in that section of the city
The removal of the house of the
Eagle Hose Co. would also be advis-
able if the city could procure a lot no,
far distant from the present location
and allow the land now occupied to
become a part of the small park al
the junction Of Highland Ave, and
Winter street. Both Of these houses
are too small for the purposes, fol-
which they are Intended ana the quar-.
tiers too cramped for the apparatus
and the meetings of the companies
They ought 10 be enlarged sufficiently
Tor caucus and election uses
In the sewer department. it is rec
commended that an extension be made
as far as possible on Water street In
continuation Of the Central street sew
er laid last year. Such an extension
would remove the objection of the
paper mills to the sewage now having
an outlet into the CobbosSee stream
and afford connection for any sewers
hereafter to be laid on the streets
stopping toward Water street.
There is also need OF a sewer from
Highland Ave, beyond Willow street
to accommodate the property west OF
Highland Ave. \ sewer on Crestnut
street was petitioned for last year, and
no doubt it would be serviceable. II
will be for the judgment of the coun-
ell to decide whether or not all these
additions can be made this year
Several years ago the School Board
was instructed by the City Govern
ment to unite with the School Com
mittee of FarmingdaIe in the employ
ment Of a Superintendent of Schools.
There is movement being made to
enlarge the school district by adding
Randolph to the list. AS the pupils
from both these towns attend our
High School it seems advisable 10
have the same course of instruction in
the grades
Sugge stions have been also made
tnat course of manual training
would afford solution Of the problem
in regard TO pupils who are averse to
further attendance in the schools, but
who could be given an industrial
start which would be more beneficial
and perhaps as absorbing as habits of
idlent IS and indecision as to employ
nehI. The testimony of school Off
Gals in other places leads the school
committee to believe that a system Of
manual training should be established
here. and | believe plans are being
formed for that purpose. II seems to
me also that an evening school would
be boon to some who have been
compelled to forego the benefits of
early instruction but who are eager
for mental Improvement
All OF our schools have without
question been efficient and progressive
during the past year. The. High
School building has been equipped
With fire escape OF latest design.
The granting Of funds for we'll al
the Libby Hill school has been CRATE
fully acknowledged by the parents and
pupils in that section. .;
consider il appropriate at this time
to commend the work of the Gardiner
Board OF Trade in establishing and
enlarging some OF our largest indus
tries. and for their efforts towards in
crcasng the commercial importance Of
the city.
l also call your attention to the gra-
Trying report Of the Gardiner Water
District. showing noteworthy progress
in the reduction of the bonded in
debtedness and the Improvement of
the plant and service.
The records of the past wear have
been marked by entire harmony and
unity on the part of the city govern
ment and by the purpose Of the heads
Of the different departments 10 dis
charge their duties worthily The
same attention 10 the needs of the
city during the coming year, cannot
fail 10 draw the approval Of your con-
stituents
In joint convention the bodies pro-