Ellsworth American., 1915-02-03

Bill OF q. B. Jan1esot1 fos care OF the
municipal oourt room was referred to the
county commissioner.
Aid. Stuart OF the committee on street
lighting reported on pstitlons for lights
on Dean aud Fifth streets, that lights
we're certsiniy needed q the points asikcd
for, and that thers were two arc lights
that could b split to provide tbs addi-
tional series lamps. The committep was
empowered to have the lights established.
Alderman Stuart, who was instructed to
have forty cords Of wood cut from the
city wood lot. reported that after the
wood for the popr farrs had been cut this
year. there would not b suff1cisnt left to
warrant cutting Tor the schools and public
buildings.
Mayor Hagerthy, during informal dis
cussion Of work done on the roads during
the year, gave the information that be-
cause the stats.aid work had been done
At less csss than anticipated, the city
would not receive - large an amount
from the State a. II would il the entire
appropriation had been expended.
STILL AFrER TAX BOOKS.
Alderman Maddocks brought up the
matter OF securing possession Of back tax
books in the hands ct Special COL
iector Bresnahan. He said the committee
appointed on this matter some mont hs
ego had taken legal advice, and had been
advised to replevin the socks. They had
had writ OF repicvin prepared, and asked
that the city treasurer be instructed to
issue bond to accompany the same. II
was:
worth 10 hereby authorized and instructed
TO execute, upon the request Of Aldermen
Jones and Maddocks, in the name and behalf
Of said city Of Ellsworth. bond to John H.
Bresnahan, Of said city. with sufficient sure
ties, 10 the sum Of e2io, said bond to be used
In suit Of replevin 20 be instituted In behalf
Of said city Of Ellsworth against said John r..
Bresnahan for the recovery Of certain books
belonging 70 said city Of Ellsworth, now in
said Bfcsnahan's possession.
The books sought to be recovered by
replevin ere the books turned over to MIR.
Bresnahan - special collector. The books
for the Tripp taxes, so-cailed, which had
been regularly committed to him, core
under another head, and Mr.. Msddocks
said suit would be instituted to recover
these.
Still another vote aimed At Mr.. Bresns-
han was passed, ~ follows:
Voted, That the city treasurer is hereby
instructed 10 issue distress warrant against
r. Y.h- S,- -.
year 1919 In time so he will be obliged to
make scttiepsds for taxes Of 1918 In full. ac-
cordins to his contract with the city.
This il another story. The democratic
aldermen claim that Mr.. Bresnahan Is
behind on his contract, which requires
him to settle In full at the close OF the
municipal year ending Feb. 8, 1915, for the
last OF the 1913 tax. They claim that even
though the city may owe Mr.. Bresnahan
Tor other services, and for the reimburse
ment to him OF taxes paid over by him in
settlement OF his contracts OF previous
years, and afterward declared by the
courts illegally assessed, he must never
tneless settle in full for the taxes accord
ing to his contract, and collect money due
him from the city by other means.
Mr.. Bresnahan's position is that he is
fully up on his contract at present. In
the settlement OF his contracts for 1911
and 1912, he has paid over to the city about
800 in taxes which he had been unable
himself to collect, and which the supreme
court has since declared TO have been ille-
galiy assessed. His 1918 commitment also
contains the same tax. This makes in
round numbers something like 500 for
which Mr.. Bresnahan says he should be
reimbursed or given an abatement. In
addition to this, Mr.. Bresnahan says there
10 due him several mouths salary o. city
marshal, the aldermen having withheld
his regular monthly salary aimee the vote
removing him from office. This removal
has never been recognized by the mayor,
and Mr.. Bresnahan has continued to
serve as city marshal.
In brief, Mr.. Bresnahan thinks the city
should allow him in offset on his 1918 tax
contract the sum he claims due him from
tho city.
OTHER BUSINESS.
Superintendent OF schools Conley and
Harvard G. Jordan, member 1.-THE school
board, came before the board, and the
proposition for the formation Of union
with some neighboring town for joint
superintendence Of schools was in
formally discussed.
The advantages OF such union, for
Ellsworth have already been explained.
It seems that surry and Trenton are salts
fed with their present system, and are
out OF consideration. 1t is hoped that .
union may be formed with franklin.
Alderman Maddocks was appointed a
committee to act with the school board to
take steps for forming such union.
Aid. Stuart and TreworRy were ap-
pointed q special committee to look up the
matter OF insurance on city property.
The committee on city property was in
structed to have an iron ladder or fire es-
cape put on the city farm house.
A recess was taken to next Monday
evening.