Milford chronicle., 1915-12-31
PRESIDENT DRAPER'S REPORT

rhLOlDLNl DhArLh , hLIUhA
To the Citizens and Taxpayers of the
Town of Milford, Delaware.
As the year 1916 is fast approach
ing it becomes our duty to return to
the citizens of Milford the reins of
government of our town. and to give
to the taxpayers an account OF our
stewardship.
We as members of the present coun-
Gil have had many problems to solve,
but problems must be met, and while
in many cases during the past year it
has not been the most pleasant duty,
we have lived up to that duty as we
saw it swerving, for neither friend or
foe. Our regrets are that we were
compelled to make some enemies in
the town, but in neglect of duty, enc
mics are also made, and personally, 1
would rather make one hundred enc
mics in doing my duty than make one
by neglect of duty.
We have endeavOred to spend the
taxpayers money judiciously, demand
ing value received for every dollar
spent, and with pride point to the fol-
lowing improvements, all of which
are permanent and speak for them
selves:
At the beginning of street work we
must call your attention to the i'm
provement made by having the build
ing of Mrs. Hurlock, on Causey Ave
nue., moved back off the street. In
consideration of the town moving the
building back a sufficient distance to
line up in front of it a five foot pave
ment to correspond with pavements
of adjoining property owners, Mrs.
Hurlock gave the ground and put
down a cement pavement. The cost
to the town, was less than 500, and
great improvement which has been
side-stepped by former councils was
made, and must be appreciated espe-
cialIy by those who are obliged to use
this sidewalk several times a day.
This was the cheapest way to adjust
this difficulty and make it satisfactory
to each party.
The next improvement was building
of the Tarvia Street, Causey Ave. You
all know about this street but right
here / wish to say for the benefit OF
those who criticise the council for
building this street, that in looking
back to Mr.. Pierce's report to you i'll
1909, l find that he told you, in speak
9ng of things needed the coming year
THAT this street Causey Avenue had |
never had the finishing surface ap-
Blied. and that the street was wearing |
badly and must have attention. If it |
needed attention six years ago and |
there had not been a dollar spent on |
it since that time, surely it must have |
,fseen in worse shape than it was six |
EARS before we began the improve
ent. Every council since 1910 has /
commended that improvement. l
not offer this fact as an apology,
eause those of you who have the
crest of the town at heart and are
endeavOring to find fault for sell
motives, are too broad minded to
hstly criticise. If this street is not
wed to wear without resurfacing,
Ia will cost about $100 once in ev-
three years, it will be as good so
from today as it was six months
Nhen first finished.
bther item of unusual expense
he purchase of the leased lot in
ar of the Handy building. This
IS leased for SO years at an an
ental of S100, with a privilege
thase at any time for $1,000 The
teXpected to, by strict economy,
to care for this amount from
eral funds, as we'll as pay the
interest, cost of streets, sew
Various other items that must
care of every year. The in
prge alone this year was $2,- /
r
fe found however after paying this
100, that petitions for paYements, !
cdrbs and cutters began to come in {
from all sections of the town, and in
such numbers that funds disappeared
very rapidly, but we did not think it {
wise to refuse a curb and gutter to
those who we're willing to improve
their property by putting down ce-
ment pavement. 1 will attempt to
name the properties where curbs and
cutters have been put in during the s
ear.
First Chronicle Office, 81 feet Of I
turb; Garments on North ST.. As feet
Iurb; Calloway's, ~ Walnut St., 60 t
eet Of curb; between G. q. Varney's t
nd j. B. Smiths on Maple and R. r. a
lve., 500 feet of curb and 1882 feet of n
utter; on the south side of Maple T
sgenue, 125 feet of curb and $50 feet "
gutter; r. R. Ave. between the il
Nidge and ~ Front St., 1851 feet of y
rb, 2791 feet of gutter; Caulk Co. t.
d Holland on Peabody and Maple a
e., 727 feet of curb and 1741 feet of y
liter: Reedy. Bennett, Gray, Rick el
+ ss Webb Galloway and Topping on Of
Front St.. S45 feet curb and $50 feet
tier: on Fisher Ave. and Second st. to
this, Mayhew's, Connard's, and the er
Sire g. side of Fisher Ave, 1913 feet in
srb and 2278 feet gutter; on each til
he lof Kings Highway, 1540 feet be
asr Ruhl's "a fees curb; Geo. ye