Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-03-21
GARDINER.
Inauguration Monday Of
New City Government.
Address Of Mayor Lamb, with
important Recommendations.
New Hlgh School Directors, School
Committee and City Physician.


Committee and City Physician.
The slate as made up at the caucus
went through at the organization OF
the city government Monday morning
without even scratch being made OF
il. An effort was made to make
change from it when the new member,
found on their desks a list OF men wht
stated that they would serve in the Of
fees of street commissioner, tax col
1ector, chairman of the assessors, park
commissioner and janitor of the High
school tcombined) and auditor at sal
aries anywhere from $50 to $500 less
than the present officers receive. This
vas plainly a Democratic move Ia OBJ
tain some offices and the list was not
even mentioned during the ballotine
for candidates nor were any of the
men on the list named,
The expected happened when an en-
tire new board of High school dircc-
tors was chosen TO replace those who
served the past year. Judge \. NJ.
Spear. j. NJ. l.. Bates and :. &. Decker
are the new members. For the mem
Der of the school committee for three
wears Mrs. Edith +. Genthner was
elected, succeeding Henry Richards
Practically no change was made in the
other offices. DIR. +. VI. Cole is
the new city physician to succeed DR..
r. d. Simons
The Organizations.
Alderman ]. +. Hodgkins was chosen
oh q n ,,f "a Ct
dermen. All the new members
George f. Colby, II. NJ. Lawton, +. A
Wadsworth, l.. G. Ballard and Well
ington Blair were present. Council
man K. ". Chase was chosen president
pro tenn of the lower board ana Fred
n. Hamlin clerk. All members were
reported present. Both boards met in
Joint convention and the oath of Of
flee was administered by Judge Atkins
Dissolving the joint convention both
boards made the temporary organize
ton permanent
Mayor-elect Lamb was introduced
by the retiring mayor, {. II. Gray,
when joint convention was again
called and then prayer was offered ny
Rev. John Evans. Judge Atkins ad-
Ininlstered the oath of office to Mavor
Lamb who then read his Inaugural adj
dress, which follows:
Mayor Lambs Address.
Gentlemen of the City Council
In assuming our duties and obliga-
tions as members of the City Council
at the present time think we should
ali bear in mind the unrest and dis
satisfaction now existing. here and
elsewhere, on account Of increased
taxation by state, county and NUM-
cipality. The State and county taxes
assessed. have been on the increase for
a number of Years. and this with the
higher cost of labor and materials in
conducting municipal affairs, has ne
cessarily caused rise in the tax rate.
The State tax alone was larger last
year by S7.4S5.06. than in the previous
year. While we have no control over
the amounts which may be assessed
against US by the State and county.
we do have the determination of the
sums which Shall be raised in taxation
ny the city. For that we are surely
responsible.
l think we should keep all appro-
priations for the coming year at the
lowest amount that will be consistent
with proper and business like ad-
ministration Of municipal matters. The
last city government set good ex-
ample in some respects, and the diff
terent departments show an unexpend-
ed balance Of $3,6S3.32 The net city
debt was also decreased during the last
years administration by something
like $1,000. The bonded debt of the
city is no" s1lo.50o, Of which amount,
sio,oo0 comes due May LIST Of this
year Inc amount of the sinking
iuhd at the present time is s1,416.03.
and this, with the $4,000 dollars to be
raised this year. will allow US to re-
TIRE the bonds when due. would
suggest, however, that an effort be
made to have the payment deferred
until July, thus saving tho interest
upon our sinking fund for a period ne
i've mouths. The city has one tenn
porary loan note Of $4,000 in bank tho
drawing of which was made necessary
last year by reason of the failure ot
the state To pay to the city, the monies
due the different departments There
Is also to our credit, AN item Of $205s
in uncollected taxes due and payable.
\ constitutional provision of tn,
State of Maine. makes il obligator,
that a general valuation be taken Of al
taxable estates in cities and towns "a
ledst once in ten years. There seem
to be a general and observable feeling
among our taxpayers, that this shoul,
be done. and / would recommend TIL
appointment of two or three good mel
10, act with our regular board of as
SCISSORS and constitute a commission
Tor making a re-valuation OF the city.
Ia making appropriations for thu
diiierent departments we should beal
IN mind the fact, that while We wish L
make them as small as is conslsten
With the proper conduct of each par
tituiar branch. we should make then
sufficient in amount to cover al
legitimate expenses. thus giving n,
valid reason for overdrafts.
While | realize that in the highwa,
department We have many hills
bridges and culycrts to take care of
together with miles of roads and side.
walk, and could use a very large ap.
preparation to good advantage.