The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-01-28
Expresses Belief That City
Has Been Run in Eco
nomical Manner
SOM .PENDITURES
ARE DESCRIBED
Commends Officials, Espe-
cially Police and Fire
Departments

In his annual message, which was SUBJ
mitted to the board of aldermen last
evening, Mayor William H. Ward states
that more demands than usual were
made on the city administration during
the past year and that he believes the
various departments "have been run in
an efficient and economical manner" He
calls attention in particular to the lay,
ing OF the granite pavement on North
Main street, all-night lighting of streets,
$1,000 more money expended in the poor
department and larger amounts spent i'm
the water department, which caused the
funds to be overdrawn $500 Mayor
Ward eommends various city officials and
extends them his thanks for co-opera-
tion. The message in full is as follows:
MAYORS Message"
ITO the citizens of Barre, Vermont:
Zone more year has been added to the
history of our city, making the nine
teenth, and will be recorded as a most
prosperous one.
"'The conditions in regard to business
during the year 1913, were very good.
particularly the granite industry, as
there has been steady employment for
all and not any of the granite cutters
have been obliged to lay idle for want
Of work. That being so. it necessarily
applies that our merchants, and other
trades, which are so closely identified
with the granite trade so as to practi
cally form part of it, have been busy:
and have shared in the general prosper
ity with the exception of building, which,
according to our building inspectors re-
port, has not been as good as we would
wish, although Mcdonnell & Sons have
built large stone shed, which is up to
date in every feature and will add great
ly to the business of our city.
Living up to the city's reputation OF
having the most modern and best
equipped school buildings in the state, it
was decided to replace the old Becklev
street school building with larger and
up to date building. The new building
erected at North Barre, viii accommo-
date 400 pupils and. the heating, ven
tilating and sanitary arrangements at
the building, are superior TO anything
heretofore erected. As a city, we have,
always been insistent that the best was
none too good for our children, when il
came to the matter of education; and
in this building we have lived up to our
reputation. The building will cost over
$4,000, and the city has raised S37,50n
by notes to cover the expense. At this
time we are unable to say whether more
money will be required from the city to
complete the building, or whether the
will be able to complete
it from exceptionally large amounts they
received this year on the 20 per cent.
school tax; said amount being over So
600 more than any previous year.
"The generous offer of $4,000 from
Mr.. Calef OF Washington, toward the
building of a new hospital should be APP
preciated enough by the public so that
they will endeavor to raise the S30,000
which is required to be raised in the
year 1914. and it is the duty of all 20
aid in this project, which, we believe, car
and viii be accomplished.
"This year we have added to our list
Of departments, wire inspector and
park commissioners.
"The park commissioners. although la
boring without compensation, have ac
all that was possible with
The amount of money which they had 20
10 with and ] would recommend thai
more money be appropriated another
year.
"The work of the wire inspector will
,e appreciated by the public, as he will
a xf ar.I vala
II business to see that they are prop
,rly done, which will help to prevent
oss by fire.
Streets.
Il believe that the streets and sewers
ire in better condition than they havs
ver been before. The largest and best
OBJ of street paving which has ever beeu
lone in Barre was accomplished this
'ear. making our Main street as good.
not better, than the main street Of
my city in the state. This work has
II been paid for from this years funds.
Though last years finance committee
made provision TO borrow S6,750 to be
aid from 1914 taxes. This has not vet
een done, as il did not seem TO be Il
usness proposition to borrow money
nd pay interest on the same while hav-
ne money in the treasury, although the
ash balance at the end of the year has
cen reduced by that amount. There
emains over 50 300 for assessments
rhich were due and should have bee0
aid before Jan. !. The only other paw
lg Job, which compares in size wit'i
he one before mentioned. was accom-
lshed in 1908. This was about Sc
luare yards smaller, and the citizens
ere called upon to pay a special tax
( 80 cents on the dollar to pay for the
anne.
Nearly mile of surface sewers have
cen laid this year, which is more than
vice as much as the average for the
We years preceding and more perma
ent walk has been constructed than
ny other one year. The policy of the
being to spend money
here it would remain as permanent
improvements.
Sidewalks.
"a Iarge apDroDriation for sidewalks