Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-04

Total $19& san 90
There has grown up in the various de-
partments Of city affairs, including the
schools. the undesirable practice Of car
rying over unpaid bills from the year in
which they are contracted to the follow
ing year. AS consequence, it has al
ways been difficult TO ascertain what has
been the actual cost of maintenance for
q period of L months. During the past
year il has been the aim Of the Board of
Education TO keep all expenses at a
minimum in order to pay, if possible, all
bills brought over from the preceding
year and also all bills contracted during
the actual period Of Z months, but, In
spite of all effort, It is necessary to carry
over s1,14s.1 Of unpaid accounts.
The money received by the CITY from
the State is variable quantity, and can
only be estimated in advance. The
amount actually received for the year
1s14-15 was $4ss.sl less than was figured ::
and owing to the increase in insurance
rates, the additional amount paid TO re.
new policies expiring during the year
was 5000, contingencies which could not
have been foreseen when the estimates
were made.
The amount that the board asks the
city to appropriate for the year lg1s-1sIs
is s3e, l62. So, which will make possible the.
payment of every bill contracted during
the year, and also all bills carried over.
During the year just ended almost s.
$4,000 Of the bills contracted in 1al3-1sl4
have been paid, and had il not been for
the loss in the amount received from the
State and increased insurance rates. TO-
falling S555.S1, only $593S6 of unpaid bills
would have to be considered. But in or
der to do this, il has been necessary to
curtan expenses TO point approaching
niggardliness. 1t. however, seemed ad-
yisable to do this in order that the est,
mates for 1915-1916 might be based on an
absolute knowledge of conditions. and.
as such, represent a total appropriation
which the Board Of Education feels can
not be decreased without positive injury
to the system.
The new school building on the Church
Hill road was completed in season to be
occupied shortly after the beginning Of
the fall term The city may well be
proud of this fine schoolhouse, the best
of ali our rural buildings. Mr. Harry
E. Hanks. the builder. is entitled to much
credit for his careful work and the ex-
celent results accomplished. To MIR.
Daniel E. Foster the board wishes, in
behalf of the city, to express its appre-
citation of his generous gift of the fine
lot measuring 100 feet by 2O0 feet, on
which the building is located.
Generally speaking. only absolutely
necessary repairs have been made in the
various buildings during the year 1904-1gl5.
In the Nash school, the boys basement
has BEEN thoroughly Mnovated. a new
cement floor has been laid and ventila-
tor installed, so that the sanitary condi-
tons are now beyond criticism.
In the Smith school il was found nee
essary TO strengthen the third floor sup
ports tb insure safety. The board wishes
to express its firm conviction that this
building. both for sanitary reasons and
for reasons of safety in case of fire,
should either be reconstructed or torn
down to make way for modern build
ing, and that action TO this end should
not be long deferred.
Respectfully,
FRANK G. HARRINGTON,
Chairman.