Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-01-10
BAR HARBOR TAXES.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITS
SION SUBMITTED.
CAUSES OF HIGH TAX RATE-RADIcAL
CHANGES IN TOWN MANAGEMENT
RECOMMENDED

! The report OF the committee OF seven
| appointed in the town OF Eden to investi-
gate the causes OF the high rate OF taxes
has been made public. The report con-
tains so much OF vital interest 10 every
municipality, and SO much sound sense
in its recommendations, that it is of more
4 than local interest.
After preliminary citing Of figures and
the increase in appropriations and tax
rates, the report deals with the causes and
suggests ten recommendations. Extracts
from the report follow:
/ CAUSES.
The opinion of the committee at the outset
mas but been confirmed by more recent inves
tigation, that the unsatisfactory condition Of
the finances of the town is not due to graft, or
In aoy large degree affected by misuse of the
funds or other forms of corrupt practice. The
| primary causes of the present condition date
back more than twenty years.
The present generation has been carefully
schooiei to the idea that the natural attrsc-
tions of Bar Harbor must be augmented by
every possible artificial attraction in order to
keep the summer visitor coming to our
shores. Its advocates have been found
among our most conservative business men
and hnanciers. Expensive schemes have
been pushed through our annual and special
meetings by retained counsel under pres
\ sure OF the same arguments.
Thus we have gone on building expensive
! streets and sidewalks, elaborate sewers,
drains, costly public buildings, maintaining
| an obsolete system of street lighting, and
many other so-called improveme nts, that the
| town may be made more attractive and desira-
| Bile as a summer resort.
| Invariably these arguments have been sup
ported and supplemented by the admonition
that IL the public spirit failed to respond to
these demands the summer sojourner and
prospective builder would go elsewhere. These
/ arguments have been persistently ham
mered into the minds Of the people that 1t has
become settled policy to grant whatever may
be asked almost without question, In the fear
of otherwise endangering the prosperity of
our beautiful town. The natural and iegiti-
mate outcome of this short sight policy has
been for the people to levy money with
thoughtless extravagance, and officials to ex-
| pend 1t with almost lavishness. Resident and
nonresident alike are responsible for this
condition of affairs, and should cooperate In
the remedy.
I RECOMMENDATIONS
To elect on joint ballot Eve selectmen for a
term of one year and fix their compensation.
The idea of a change in the management of
the BOARD of selectmen has suggested a
change in the number. The general statute
expressly states that the town may elect by
ballot three, five or seven selectmen. The
best of legal authority has been consulted,
and opinions given, that the seiectmen may
be elected on joint ballot.
We have gone carefully over the subject,
and arrived at the conclusion that ave men
would be nearer ideal; more compact than
seven, and not so easily dominated by one
man a board of three. The idea Is to elect
q board of Ave selecsmen of weil-known active
and successful business capacity, and pro-
perty-holders Of the town
One of the number shall be appointed by
the fun board and designated as chairman at
an annual salary to be fixed by the town at
its annual meeting. We recommen nd a salary
approximating $500. He is to be the execu-
tive officer of the board, devote. his entire
time. be in constant attendance at the office
except when called out on official duties. He
shall be the accountant, make recommends
]
power with them.
The other four members shall act In ad-
visory capacity. and recommend q salary
Of 81 per meeting each. They may have iegu-
lar stated meetings, or be subject to the call
of the chairman. or both. The full board
shall pass upon all important matters, and in
struct the chairman in work assigned to him.
The decision of majority OF the full board
shall be final in all matters.
The board shall have the appointment of all
officers not compuisoriiy elective by statute
with the power to recall aud replace by ma
jority vote any officer SO appointed.
The committee also recommends the
adoption of the plan Of electing board of
three road commissioners, as provided for
by the special Law for the town of Eden
enacted by the legislature Of 1905. 1t pro-
vides for the appointment OF a board of
three road commissioners, who are not to
have more than $50 salary per year, and
who are to appoint . superintendent or
superintendents Of roads, not one Of their
number. who Ia TO be under their control,
and subject to their discharge. The COM
mittee says:
Under the present system there is no other
ofdcer In the town who IL SO peculiarly under
obligations to the men In his employ as is the
road commissioner. By the ratification Of the
act Of 1905 these conditions will be changed
and we believe changed for the better.
The third recommendation is to fix q tax
rate that shall not exceed US per 1000 Of
valuation, and to make appropriations ac-
cordingly, SO that they shall not exceed
that rate.
The fourth recommendation is to have
the taxes assessed and committed not later
than July i.
The fifth recommendation is that taxes