Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-17

.firmaticn, while Councilman Martin
of Ward 1 blushingly held down the
presiding officers chair during their
absence. Or their return the two bod
les went into joint convention.
Joint Convention.
Mayor elect Newbert was escorted to
the chamber and the oath administered
by City Clerk Matthew. Prayer was
offered by Rev. Paul S. Phalen of the
Unitarian church, after which Mayor
Newbert delivered his inaugural adj
dress, which was heartily applauded
and which follows in full.
The Mayors Address
Gentlemen of the City Council
BY vote of the people we are called
into the service of the city, and a new
municipal year is before us. Out of
a membership of "a in the city council
10 are new men. This means the re-
tirement of many valuable and tried
members of this body. Those of
YOU however, who are here for the
first time Will begin with a new en-
thusiasm, and | am sure will take UP
your duties with intelligence and zeal.
AS representatives of the people of
this city the responsibility for gov
eminent is laid upon us. Why are
we here? Whom are We to serve?
With what mind do We begin?
Political campaigns may come and
go, yet the business of the city goes
on and the daily round of duties re-
mains TO be done. From party point
of view this Joint convention is tied.
From the standpoint of civic useful
ness, however, there are no parties
here. Personally | shall make no dis
tinction in my intercourse with you in
this government, for it is with me
fundamental belief that in city such
as ours the bipartisan spirit should
prevail as far as possible under our
present plan of party elections.
have said this much that we may the
better understand one another at the
beginning and more easily appreciate
one another's point of view.
City Finances.
The financial condition of the city is
sound: it's credit the best. A small
issue of refunding 4 per cent bonds
recently sold in the open market for
$103.51. The assessed valuation OF
Augusta in 1913 was $8,296,161. On
this valuation a tax rate of $26 per
$1,000 was fixed. and on this tax levy
all the business of the year was DONE
Large permanent improvements were
made, every bill rendered was paid,
the bonded debt was reduced $9See,
and at the close of the fiscal year on
February 2Sth an unexpended balance
remained of $9,542.93. In other words
the city did not spend all that it raised
by taxation and really did its bust
ness on a rate of little in excess OF
$24.50 per $1,000. This is an &C
complishment to the credit of the out
going city government and a model
for us TO copy.
The bonded debt of the city is $780,
500, and from this should be sub
tracted the sinking fund for the retire
ment of the country highway bonds
now on deposit in the Augusta Trust
go, amounting to slR56s, which leaves
a net bonded Indebtedness of s945,9S6.
The bonded debt has not been IN
creased since 1909 save for the rail-
road cut through Rines hill and the
building of the extension of the 1igh
school and the new Grammar school.
The city has no floating debt, and its
resources and liabilities are matters OF
accurate knowledge. The constltu-
tional borrowing capacity has steadily
increased for several years, and is now
s6s,s72.07.
Tax Rate.
The tax rate should be fixed in view
of the city's need and the business to
be done. A political tax rate is one
thing and a business tax rate IS
another No administration desires
high tax rate, neither does any clu-
zen, nor can any city quite afford 10
make the tax rate so low as to Grip
pie the city, stop the doing OF perma-
nent work or cause deficit AT the
close of the year. II is my belief that
the rate could be reduced this year
from &c mills to- % mills. 1t could
even be reduced to a point lower than
that if the city were satisfied to nave
nothing done and to make no progress.
The condition of the finances in the
school department will be large fac
tor to consider. 1t is my belief that
many of our citizens would agree that
Il is best for all concerned to keep the
rate at 20 mills, continue to do ne
cessary permanent work. pay for 1t
without creating a city debt, and put
at least half mill on the valuation
into a sinking fund towards payment
of the bonded debt. This whole mat
ter will in due time | am sure re-
ceive your careful consideration.
Street Sprinkling.
II is imperative that the city take
immediate steps for the abatement OF
the dust nuisance on our streets.
Heretofore the city has sprinkled or
oiled only the business section, leav-
ing the large residence portion of the
city to shift for itself. a few streets
being Gagged for by residents, others
having no attention in this regard.
Chapter SO of the Public Laws of 1913
provides that such streets as the city
government shall determine may be
sprinkled and the cost of the same
seuuitably assessed upon all abutung
property. The Act also provides that
street railroads may be assessed for
the sprinkling unless tracks are. along
the side of streets and ways. II
would seem advisable, however, for
tho citv IN sprinkle the main thor