Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-04-06
Inaugural Message of Mayor Rob
erts Brief and to the Point.
Alderman e. y. Dion Reelected Prcsi-
dent OF the Bonrd-struggIe in
the Council over once Of
City Attorney.

(udI res /. l'On WIS Ie-eIeCteu 1TeSlbtilt
Of the board. Alderman Albert S. Drew
was also nominated for the presidency,
the vote standing , to 6. in favor of MIR.
Dion. All tn members were present ex-
cept Alderman Sanborn, who is i'll. The
name of MIR Dion was placed IN nomln-
alton by Alderman Gosselin and Mr..
Drew was nominated by Alderman e.
w. J. Hawkins, who succeeds Alderman
John NJ. Clarke in the fifth ward.
Alderman Drew accepted his defeat in
good humor. saying that he had made no
canvass for the place and was perfectly
willing to have Mr.. Dion serve again as
president Mr.. Dion also made a short
speech in which he referred to the har-
mony that he hoped would prevail in
the board and to the fact that he had
made no effort to secure the office Of
chairman.
Chairman Dion appointed a committee
composed of Aldermen Hawkins, Drew
and Coffey, to notify the mayor that the
board was ready to hear his message
The rules for procedure on the board were
adopted and the chair rearpolnted Alder
men Gosselin, Drew and McCaffrey to
serve as the committee on licenses for
the next two years.
Mayor Roberts's message very
brief. covering scarcely three typewriter
pages. 1t deals with the citys finances
the municipal electric lighting plant and
the union passenger station. 1t follows:
MAYOR MESSAGE
To the Board of Aldermen,
Gentlemen:
DEBT AND TAXES
The bonded debt Of the city December
Iacs ipk
This debt is too large. There is also
Heating Indebtedness to be provided for
And yet our municipal credit is good
Investors have faith that our citizens
are of class to meet their community OBJ
legations and bear their self-imposed bur
dens patiently. For some years the tax
rate has been $40 on 800 of property as
assessed. This rate may be justified by
necessity or emergency but becomes ex-
cessive If imposed for considerable
number of years. Local taxes must fall
chiefly upon real estate and high or
climbing tax rate generally results in de-
probation of land values or increase Of
rent. No comfort is to be had by con-
trasting the rate which we fix with that
Of other towns which have a higher one
FOR the assessors Of Burlington under
take to obey the law which requires that
property be listed at it's value in money
A Our practice in this respect is not general
" with towns and cities in this State or in
other States. And yet the recently pre-
vailing rate seems to be insufficient to
raise the needful revenue to meet the
estimated annual expense of municipal
administration plus the interest charge
and overdrafts. Nevertheless, ] am not
prepared at present to recommend an in
crease in the tax rate. 1t is possible that
We may lessen expenses by economies
Unless We seriously try to do so. the
voice of the people now raised in admoni-
ton will be heard in anger.
MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT..
The published reports OF city officials
and heads of departments which are be-
fore you and which have been fully COM
mented upon by the retiring mayor. will
not review at present In the future. as
occasion may demand, will communicate
with you upon matters of public concern
in (which we share a common responsi hility.
But the department OF municipal lighting
Invites attention at this time This do
partment has been the subject Of much
discussion, in which sometimes there has
been displayed more heat than light. An
enabling act has been passed by the Leg
islature and money appropriated by the
city for the main purpose as avowed and
proclaimed. of saving the city from the
payment OF excessive charges for street
lighting by a private corporation. 1t was
also said that commercial lighting nigh,
be done at a profit and as incidental tc
carrying out the main purpose Much
money has been expended and more has
been voted upon recommendation of the
SsiOucr9 ordnr n Itch
efficiency of the plant. Mlsmanagement
has been charged Legal proceedings
have resulted In a temporary injunction
against the mourning of further indebt.
edness on account Of the plant. In the
pending suit motion has been sled by
the city for n modification OF the injunc-
ton. Now whatever is done Is done and
the character OF the electric service ir
the past need not concern us except foi
instruction and warning, The plant i,
ours and should be kept in a state OF
efficiency. 1t is true that this munich
pality is not organized upon scientific
basis for the transaction of compl
Gated business, but it should be able tC
manage an electric equipment with rea,
sonahle intelligence and prudence II il
simple thing to administer the trus
with fidelity and honesty. II may h,
pertinent In this connection to suggeS
that it Is not permissible for the privat,
corporation ana the city to carry com
petition to the extent OF wagins n wa,
Of aggression and determination aralns
each other to the ruin Of the stakeholder!
on one side and the taxpayers on tn,
other.
UNION PASSENGER STATION.
The existing railroad passenger station
has long been unsatisfactory to the plrbli,
and also to the railroads using it, TIL,
Central Vermont Railway COMPANY re
Gently prepared and disclosed plans as :
working basis for the construction of :
station south of College street Later
the Rutland Railroad company filed a 10
cation for passenger station. Thereup
on the Central Vermont Railway com
pany filed another. out of the situation
1t IS reasonable to hope that a union sta
ton will be evolved suitable to the need
of the public and OF the railroads an,
that the public right of access from stree
10 lake will he recognized without con
tention.
ROBERT ROBERTS. Mayor.
CITY OFFICIALS ELECTED.