The Republican journal., 1913-03-20
The City Government Or
ganized.

The members-elect of the City Council met
at 10 a. m., March 18th, and ere called to
order in joint convention by deputy clerk, M.
W. Lord, who then administered the oath of
office to all except Ralph U. Russ, councilman
of Ward 4, who was absent on account of ILL.,
ness. Prayer was offered by Rev. A. A. Blair
and Mayor Hanson read his address.
MAYORS ADDRESS.
We had type written copy of the mayors
address for a short time, not sufficient to put
it in type or make copy. 1t opened with the
usual congratulations and statement of what
the mayor has dvne and proposes to do, and
refers to the treasurer's report,not yet publish
ed, for details to the finances of the citv
He takes up the question OF taxation and valua-
ton and says the increase of the valuation
has come through the introduction of ne W in
dustrles, etc, but how that should increase the
TAX on single automobile or on unImproved
property over the preceding year is not clear
he ATTRIBUTES the overdrafts to permanent i'm
provements, and says if overdrafts can be pre-
sented the ensuing year the tax rate need
not be raised over $40 per thousand, He de-
votes considerable space to the highways and
ADVISES making specific appropriations for
each district, and that the committee on high
ways be empowered to advertise for bids to
put the highway In each district in suitable
condition to accommodate travel and to SO
MAINTAIN 1t during the ensuing year aside
from the breaking of roads in the winter,
which ne would provide for by a specific ap-
propriatlon, to be used only for that purpose.
IN other words he proposes to have the chairman
OF the committee on highways perform the du-
Ties OF The street commissioner elected last wear
TO serve tor two years. He renews his former
recommendations for replacing plank sidewalks
with crushed rock, and asks for an appropria-
ton OF not less than $2500 for building such
Walks--no more plank sidewalks to be built. /
ne lower bridge has to be replanked and the
mayor suggests the use OF oak plank known
as seconds, with a coating of tar or bitumi-
nous concrete. He advises special appro-
prlatlon Tor the outlay this bridge, and that
the work be let by contract. He SECS no need
Tor sewers. although one of the best residen-
tia sections of the city is without sewer con-
nectlon. A paragraph is devoted to what may
De zone IN the way of beau flying the city, |
ana the mayor thinks that the Maine Central
shoulo improve conditions around their sta
tlon suggests improving Commercial street,
ano that the park should have attention He
says the hre department is better equipped
than ever before but needs the addition of a
eomplnatlon hose and chemical carriage, etc
considerable space is devoted to the plan for
boildlng new schoolhouses by a corporation
particulars of which were published some
tlne ago. He says the water service is unsat-
lsfactory and for that reason the hydrant
rental has been withheld, but is advised that
the company is to install a fltering plant, etc.
lhe Public Library, City Poor and Cemeteries
receive prle1 mention, and the claim of the old
Belfast Gas q Electric Co. is referred to as
srlil pending. Two claims for damages against
the city have not been pressed.