Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-03-29
CITY MEETING.
,xcE IN ORDINANCE RELAr-
mo TO AUDITOR.
..cr SYSTEM OF COLLECTING
co' RI BE CONTINUED CON
psNsATIoN FIXED.

~. ,u,I board was present at the recess
,,,s o, the city government last even
:, Deputy City Clerk J. A. Cunning
!, recorded, in the absence Of City Clerk
~. on account OF illness.
rs. matter OF tax-collection and COM
...,;oo therefor occupied the greater
~, Of the evening.
~.s tirst voted to charge interest on
Liz taxes q, one half OF one per cent.
M, August l, same to be added to and
,,,ome q part OF the tax. This is the
10 IS charged for Sc yerai years past.
"A. system OF collection was next taken
:, and discussed at some length. Mayor
,.,.rd EXPRESSED himself a. in favor Of
=. contract system, which had proven
..,,..siul in past years. He called attcn-
II, 10 the fact that the only tax commit
-, .;nce 1901, on which . balance re-
..,n.d unpaid was that Of 1907, Austin IA.
ros,e,, collector, when tho contract sys-
,.u vss abandoned. The taxes for 1906.
,sx 1905 and 1903 had been cleaned up.
Ala. Msddocks asked what compensation
roI,.ctor Foster was allowed for the 1907
~, Reference to tho records showed It
-, per cent. on amount collected.
Collector Bresnahsn called the attention
4, The board to the fact that the city paid
far printing, stationery and advertising for
tolIsctor Foster. He bore this expense
timssIi under the contract system.
AID. Smith expressed himself as favor
ing the contract plan.
AID. Brady said he favored the best way,
whichever that Was, but wanted the
ts1ss collected as cheaply ~ possible.
AID. Maddocks was asked for his
opinion, but said he was not prepared to
ny.
AID. Austin said the books seemed to in
dica.s the present contract system was the
best
AID. Eidridge thought the contract sys-
ten Of the past few years was "ssfe to
bank on.
Collector Brcsnahan again addressed the
board. He said the contract price, q, 800,
vM misleading. "The people think" be
aid, 4thst am getting . salary of tl.600
ics collecting taxes. take my pay In I'M
collected taxes, many OF which are uncol-
lectible, and bear the expense Of lawsuits
where such are necessary. II you talk
about salary, will accept salary Of 500
rear, and collect what can"
AID. Msddocks thought the city would
90 we'll to hire Mr.. Bresnahan at salary
d eco.
Alderman Austin moved that the tax be
collected by contract. The motion was
sarYied.
Aid. Smith moved that the compensa-
lion allowed the collector by contract on
sme terms otherwise a. last year, be
H,ioo The yeas and nays being called for
BY Aid. Maddocks, the motion was carried
BY the following vote: Aid. Smith, FL
bridge and Austin, yes; Aid. Maddocks
and Brady, no.
The 5000 surety bond OF Charles W.
Joy Is treasurer was approved and filed.
new ORDINANCE.
The board amended the city ordinance
rslating to auditor TO provide that either
The city clerk, or anyone other than the
mayor or member OF the board OF alder
men, vas eligible to the once. Under the
odd ordinance, the duties Of auditor were
simply added to those of treasurer. The
ordinance as amended appears elsew here
in this issue.
OTHER BUSINESS.
u vas voted to include in ali policies for
insurance on city property 4 clause pro-
vding that adjustment OF losses shall be
made with the mayor and president OF the
board Of aldermen, and that losses shall
% paid to the city treasurer.
The resignation Of John A. Stuart ss
anitor Of Hancock hall was tabled until
'ae regular April meeting.
vas voted chat the city clerx purchase
'os The night policeman such equipment
= y necessary, deducting cost OF same
NON his salary, the oflicer to be reim-
O0fssd for same ct the expiration OF his
.sFn Of ONCE on return Of the property to
TIE city.
Twas voted to notify the street COM
n'eioner to make an inventory OF all city
ropsrty coming into his possession in his
apartment, and report the same at the
'ext meeting Of the city government.
mayor Leland suggested that two disin-
crested men, one from each political
party, be chosen to make an investigation
'i The city finances to ascertain just where
ms administration stood at the begin
ains OF its year, and report to the board
soon as possible. A motion to that ef-
-" was carried, and the mayor APP
p~nsed as such special committee James
hcGown and r. w. Rollins.
recess was taken to Monday evening,
Aprils.
anbnti