Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1910-01-08
To the Council:

~ AiiG OOullOIs
The affairs of the city have shown
satisfactory Improvement in all of
the departments during the past
year. Only brief resume will be
given in this message.
FINANCE.
The finances have been well man.
aged. The departments have all
kept we'll within their respective
appropriations. The tax rate was
reduced ten cents in the sinking
funds levy, but ia spite of this re
duction, the Sinking Fund now has
SIG, ,343.13 to its credit. There are
now only $4,000 of the 0 V. railroad
bonds unpaid. These bonds are pay
able without premium in 1911 and
more than half of them can then be
called in, although they do not mature
until 1921. 1t is safe to say that the
entire debt can be paid off within
the next four years. The city's
floating debt is only $3.50, all of
which represents real estate bought
for cemetery and school purposes,
that is worth much more than it
cost.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Fire Department has been
still better equipped and has done
excellent work during the year.
There were 36 alarms and the fire
losses amounted to only S6,899.60
STREET DEPARTMENT.
The Street work was principally
repairs, though some new streets
were constructed. Ninth street,
was rebuilt with a preparation call
ed Tarvia. the result being not al
together satisfactory. The streets
are in good condition and 3,700
yards of stone were used at the con-
tract price of so cents. The Street
and Sewer Committees used only
S11, ,930.28 of their S12,500 appro
priation, displaying commendable
economy in keeping up the work of
these departments, which are close
" allied to each other. A satisfac.
tory start was made in providing
the city with a permanent drainage
system. About 1000 feet of good
concrete sewers with pavement tops
were built under the sidewalks, at a
cost of about $2,700, $500 of which
was paid by the owners of lots 'front.'
ing on the sewers. The sewers
were built under contract by three
different contracting firms.
WoRKHoUsE.
The workhouse building was
greatly improved during the fall at
an expense of about $1,000. 1t is
now for the first time a credit to the
city.
CEMETERY.
The Cemetery has undergone
some substantial improvements
The new driveway nearly a mile
long was covered with cinders and
some of the old ones were given a
new covering of screenings. The
interments were fewer than for
several years, only SO during the
year. Irenew my recommendation
of a year ago that a chapel be erect
ed in the cemetery with a public
vault in the basement.
BRIDGES.
The North Main street bridge,
after a long delay, was finally ac-
cepted at $4,000 and $1,000 of the
contract price paid. The floor
failed to stand the roller test and
will be replaced in the spring.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The Police Department during
the year was brought to a state Of
efficiency unequaled heretofore.
The whole force was reelected and |
good results may be looked for this
year. A new station at the L. & N |
depot is expected to be Of great as
and convenience. 1t is pro-
vided, equipped, heated and light
ed at the expense of the railroad
company. A sergeant of police has
been assigned to the station for
night duty. and an officer for day
duty will also be assigned.