The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-01-15
Mayor Thurston Thinks
They Have Conducted
Departments Well
AND CITY PROGRESSED
DURING YEAR OF 1912
His Annual Report, Togeth-
er With Others. Submit
ted Last Evening

Mayor l.. II. Thmston's annual mes
sage to the citizens of Barre, and the
annual reports from the heads of the
several municipal departments, includ.
ing those of the assessors, City Attor.
ney +. L. Scott, the aldermanic street
committee, Water Superintendent II. +,
Reynolds, the aldermanic water commit.
tee, Street Superintendent j. c. De-
Bruno and City Engineer g. A. Reed,
were read by Clerk Mackay at the regu-
lar meeting of the board of aldermen
last evening, accepted unanimously by
the ward representatives and ordered
printed in the forthcoming city report.
Routine matters were also considered
and afterwards the board meeting ad.
journed in favor OF city council meet
ing, which went into executive session.
Departmental reports indicate that the
city's business has been carried on
through the year in manner that com
pares favorably with the record OF
achievement in the past. In his mes
sage, the mayor deals quite exhaustive
ly with the doings of the eighteenth
year of Barre's existence as city sub.
mitting that it has been on the whole
a year of progress, notwithstanding
many obstacles encountered, to some on
which he attributes unusual character.
Among other things, he deplores the con-
dition, evidently unavoidable, that works
against the establishing of new and
different industries in Barre, industries
which he believes should give employ
ment to girls and those not qualified
to work in the granite industry. The
message breathes word OF hope that
the Board of Trade will interest itself
in this problem.
The mayors message is given in full
rs follows:
Mayors Message.
To the Citizens Of BIZ re, Vermont:
Another year has passed into history,
the eighteenth OF our existence as
,ity and although we have had many
trials to meet. and some Of them of an
unusual character, ! think on the whole
L has been year of advancement all
llong the line. Perhaps it would sound
1ctter to some to say year OF progress
lion, for as general thing what are called
he presidential years are considered to
,e dull years for business in this cotin-
ry, but as far as our city Is co2cerned,
We believe the year passed has been
me of prosperity and fully up to the
verage and labor ready for all that
we're willing to labor. Consider il
reat disadvantage to us, that we cam
ot procure other manufactories aside
rom the stone business to locate here,
omething that would give employmens
0 our girls and Others not qualified for
tone work. Should be in favor of Civ
lg them very liberal terms as far as
from taxes are concerned il
e could do So
Hope the Board of Trade will get
love on in regard to this matter.
The reports OF the several depart
tents and committees will show the
mount of work done under this juris-
ction, and the amount of money ex-
ended for the same, therefore for me
enter into a detailed account of the
Ime would be simply useless repeti-
on. In consideration of this fact, |
ali not state we have built SO many
lrds of walk, or so many feet of sew
. anu ludE Lllt Siiiit tOSl ob many
RS and so many cents. but refer you
their several reports for details. and
Ilv make a general review of the years
ork as | see it.
The street department has surely had
troubles this year. the freshet of
e early spring. and two or three very
avy showers since, caused a large
Mount of damage, not only to our
reefs, but to our surface sewers as
Ill. by filling them with dirt and debris
lshed into them. Do not think that
500 is an excessive figure to state
the amount required TO make this
mage good. No one can tell what it
,uld have been if it had occurred be-
-e the river change. Should not be
rprised if the facts could be known,
It the city was saved in that one
v i'm damages. more than the whole
,nge cost Another expensive job was
bank wall on Brooklyn street. Don't
ow what the whole job cost. but the
for labor TO relay same was S632.56
{. we will not lay this damage to the
shet. but put it where it belongs, and
r it was too light when constructed
I the fill behind was pushing it over
0 the stream. A costly mistake Tor
city surely. The macadam has been
ended TO the city line on both Wash
ton and North Main streets. WHICH,
believe. 20 be more of this kind Of =
eet than has ever been built in any
year.
lore money than usual has been spent
sidewalks this year. but We are max
no excuses. for We believe it has
n spent in manner that viii be
.rcciated by the people. On account
the many bills caused by unforeseen
ditious. this department has had to
for quite heavy additional appro-
Itions.
lave heard nothing but words OF
ise in regard to management Of the
er department this year Although
iss been e. quite a large outlay in
ering pipes on account Of change
grade on the highways in the town
Barre. and had 20 expend S6Sn On
spillway at the Orange reservoir.
loses the year with a good showing
the right side % the ledger.
or another year we have been IA
d with very small losses from Ere,