Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-18
Editors Letter Box

EullOl ; LCllCl DUA
whats the Matter With vassalboro? 2
Editor kennebec Journal:
In view of the fact that the annual
town meeting is to be held on Monday
March Goth and also, as oft before, the
town report will not be available fol-
general perusal for more than a day
or two before that date. it seems proper
to call the attention Of the taxpayers
to few matters worthy of their most
careful consideration.
| March /, 1913, the report Of the Sc
lectmen showed balance in favor OF
the town of $24S464. The report for
the past year shows balance against
the town of $462.93. In other words the
town is worse off financially by nearly
! $4,000 than it was three years ago. The
tax rate for the year ending March l,
1914 was $3.50 per $1,000 Of valuation.
! For the past year the rate has been $21
per $1,000. Increased appropriations for
various purposes have been followed by
For the year ending March /, 1914,
there was appropriated for summer
highway purposes the sum Of $4,000 and
to pay for a deficiency Of 1913 in this
department $1,000. There was expend-
ed during the year s3420.24 so that
there was still a deficiency Of $S33.43.
For the year ending March 1, 1915
there was appropriated for summer
highways $4,000 and expenditures for
the year were $4687.57 and the defic-
iency grew to 1921. For the past year
the bills total $4511.70. Add to this.
deficiency for previous year, 1921 and
the total is $58327O so that at this
| time, on March /. 1916. after subtract
ing the appropriation for 1915 of $4,000,
the deficiency is $1832.7O. To be sure
the report gives the amount Of defic-
iency as $1395.13, but in order to obtain
this result had added to the past
years deficiency not the deficit of
March 1, 1915. $1321-but that of 1914,
$833.43, which is Of course a most alb
surd error. Yes and even ss3343 is
not quoted correctly but is carried
isn't much.
What is true Of the highway depart
ment is true Of others. For example,
! March l. 1913, there was deficiency of
$333.93 in the support of poor" ac-
count. Last year it had grown to
$763.5S. The appropriation made March
1. 1915 was increased to $4,000 in an
attempt to "clean the slate" but the de-
/ f1ciency infant has made steady growth
and the amount is now $929.12
For the past three years the town
has appropriated what was deemed a
sufficient sum for current expenses and
to square accounts" and still the over
expenditures and consequent deficien-
cies have increased.
There are other matters which. to
put it gently, need explanation. Two
years ago the town appropriated $500
as part payment of the $1,000 note for
cost of North Vassalboro school build
ing. The amount was assessed and
paid all right. No doubt Of that. The
report shows it but there is nowhere
any mention of anything being paid
on the note. In the report just issued
the note for $1,000 is still prominent
in the towns liabilities. Likewise ST.
600 was appropriated to operate the
stone crusher but nothing was even
crushed save the hopes of those who
expected to see the vote Of the town
obeyed.
Once again. at the present time 1t is
stated, unoff1cially that a new boat will
be required at the Getchells Corner
ferry. Observation discloses the fact
that the boat which was supposed to
be suitable for bushes is lying on
the bank Of the river, one end frozen
IN the shore Sc
the argument for a new boat is based
on the belief that it is easier to an
propriate money for a new boat than
to cut the old one free from the ice.
IL might properly be mentioned here
That the two ferries are maintained and
operated by Sidney and Vasalboro. The
ferry at Riverside in charge of Sidney.
that at Getchell's Corner looked after
(sometimes) by Vassalboro It is stat
ed that the selectmen of Sidney have
been unable to obtain from Vassalboro
any report regarding maintenance of
ferry at Getchell's Corner for three
years For the boat at Getchelrs Corn
er Vassalboro paid 500. of which Sid
ney's share would be 3-S or $3.50. No
bill has been presented to Sidney so
naturally it has not been settled.
There are few other interesting
subjects that might profltably be con-
sidered but space forbids further men
ton.
What is the remedy for such need
less and regrettable condition of the
towns business? That Is a question
FOR the voters to investigate and de-
eide. What Is stated herein can he
learned by anyone who will Study, Tho
town reports and make inquiry of those
familiar with the facts
These matters, that have been die.