The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-03-23
City Government Organized.
Mayors Address, Appointment of Com
mittees, etc.

Mayors Address, Appointment of Com.
mittees, etc.
The members-elect of the city council met
at 10 a. M, March Goth, and were called tc
order in joint convention by Carleton Doak
city clerk, who then administered the oath Of
office. After prayer by Rev. J. Wilbor Rich
ardson of the Baptist church. Mayor William
X. Keene read his address as follows:
Mayors Address.
Gentlemen of the City Government:
BY the vote of the msjority of the legal
voters OF the several wards we assemble here
today as the legal representatives Of the city,
and to us has been given the management OF
Its affairs for the present municipal year
see before me men elected from both political
parties, and who have. as l believe, the best
interests Of the city at heart. That we shall
te called upon to face some hard problems
have no doubt, but if we meet these problems
squarely and fairly, all of US giving to them
our earnest attention, feel that we shall sue.
coed. l would at this time bring to your
notice few of the things which will require
our attention.
Finances.
Our financial condition remains much the
same as last year so far MS resource and la-
plllty account Is concerned. The money avail
able from all sources for the year 1915 was
$l54,s7009. Our expenditures are in excess
OF our resources $4273.4 40; this amount added
to the over-draft which came over to US from
the year 1914 makes our total floating debt in
round numbers $1,000. This amount trust
by strict economy we will be able to material
ly reduce during the year. We are at the
present time hiring $4,000 at the bank in an
tlclpation of money due the city.
highways.
Through the installation of new road ma.
chlnery last year We found that it was possible
to do larger amount of work on our streets
IN the way of grading and gravelling than had
been done in former years for the same
amount of money, and would urge you to
continue the same line of work this year, using
liberal amount of gravel. l would advise
that the Committee Highways ascertain
the cost at which we could procure beach
gravel to be landed on some wharf and if pos
sloie TO procure it at a reasonable rate that
liberal amou It of same may be used
our bridges are nearly all in good repair
with the exception of the lower bridge, which
will require new top, and would suggest that
the Committee on Highways ascertain the
cost OF hard pine for this covering. You will
be required to make an appropriation to COM
piete the work on the Little River bridge
would suggest that we make the same appro-
prlation for State Roads as last year.
Sidewalks
The past year has been hard one for our
walks owing to the fact that the weather made
havoc with the old board walks, many of which
had become rotten. This required the taking
up of and large amount of grading
done for new walks. l would urge you to make
as liberal an appropriation for concrete walks
as you feel that you can, and that the con-
crete walks laid two years ago be extended
along the several streets
Taxes.
The rate of taxes for the past year has been
quite heavy burden to the TAX payers of our
city, and while feel that the money SO raised
was needed to carry on the affairs of the CITY
to the best advantage, and that the same was
well expended, and that the tax payers re-
ceived good value in the way of improvements.
at the same TIME | would urge you to try to
make the rate this year as low as possible and
at the same time not cripple the various de-
partments. | think that rate of 24c or Csc
will be sufficient for our needs. We were
fortunate in our selection of tax collector
for the past year, and while the amount as
sessed was large, we find the taxes collected
unusually close at this time, and l would
recommend that we try and retain the present
collector.
Schools
Through the generous gift of the late Mrs
i
and the purchase and fitting up of the Nc
Lelan School, we find our scholars better
housed than ever before. and it is very much
to be regretted that we are not at this time in
a financial condition to furnish a new school
building in the central part of the town, For
detailed reports of the condition of our
schools would refer you to the report of the
Superintendent of Schools and the School
Committee.
SeWeTS
Our sewers have not received as much at.
tention for few years as we feel they should
| have, owing to the fact doubt of the urgent
need of money for other purposes. We have
this year laid quite large amount of sewer
by which the Mcclellan School, the Waldo
County Hospital and many residents in the
northern part of the city have been benefited,
l would advise that the work be continued and
as much sewer as in your judgment YOU feel
we afford be built. There ia need of an
extension of the sewer on Court street; also it
would seem that the sewer in the southern
part of the city should be extended in order
to take care of the new Peirce School build
ing. This would require outlet, ,and would
advise that you ascertain the cost of building
same as far down as Condor street in place of
Allyn street as laid out at the present time.
Fire Department.
| The report of the Chief of the Fire DEPART
ment shows this department to be in a good
condition, and it is one of which we feel we
have reason to be proud. Under the manage
ment of the engineers headed by Chief Shute
this department has been brought to high
standard, and the work OF same for the year is
deserving of praise. For full, report of The
equipment l would refer you to the report of
the Chief Engineer, and would advise that az
many of his recommendations as you feel the
city can afford be adopted.
Lights.
Our lighting system remains the same as last
year with the exception of one new light on Wa.
ter street Our contract with the Penobscot Bay
| Electric Company has expired, and l would
advise that you take this matter up as soon as
possible with an idea of making new contract
l would also recommend that the Committee or
Lights take under consideration the advisable.
ty of changing the location of some of the
lights with view to better serving all of the
people of our city.
Library
Belfast is fortunate in having a fine library
and under the management of the present H.
brarians everything is in fine running order
and we have reasons to feel proud of this IN.
stitution.
Cemetery.
Under the management of the present BoarC
of Trustees and the care of the Superintendent,
our cemetery has become self sustaining and is
in fine condition. The new chapel SO Ions
| wanted has not yet materialized but trust il
the near future funds for building same will be
available. l understand that it will not be
necessary for you to make an appropriation