The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-03-22
City Government Organized.

The members elect of the city council met
at 10 q. M Monday. March 18th, and we're called
to order in joint convention by Carleton Doak,
city clerk. who then administered the oath of
Office. After prayer by Rev. Walter T. Haw-
thorne Of the Congregational church. Mayor
Edgar F. Hanson read his address.
The address follows the usual lines in the
opening paragraphs and in referring to the
city finances suggests having ian expert &C.
countant examine the city's books and accounts
and render to US q sworn statement of our
financial condition as it now exists" etc.
Further than this we believe that an expert
could suggest changes in the methods of keep
ing accounts that would greatly simplify the
business. Under the head Of taxation the
Mayor says that "a rate Of $23 per thousand
will supply us sufficient funds to conduct the
city's business in satisfactory manner with
out incurrinR any overdrafts." He criticises
the WORK done on the highways. and tells how.
in his opinion, it should be done, emphasizing
the filling Of holes, the removal of small rocks
and the keeping of the surface of the road
free from ruts and depressions. He finds some
of the bridges in town in poor condition, and
looks forward to the time when the lower
bridge has "got to be stripped down to string
ers and many new piles will be required" and
says the upper bridge needs considerable re-
pairs. He is opposed to plank sidewalks and
favors the cement and tar concrete sidewalk.
He complains of the neglected condition of
the City Park and says the beach has been
"ruined by the hand of the vandal." Suggests
that "effort be made to raise funds by private
subscription to restore the beach by bringing
gravel in scows and depositing thereon" As
to sewers the mayor has changed his former
attitude and says: alt is always desirable to add
to our sewer system where the demand is most
insistent, and would advise that the construc-
tion of sewers be continued without incurring
large expenditure, where they are most
urgently needed" He commends the library
and the schools generally. but believes "the
present system of teaching mathematics needs
radical revision" and says that we "need a
large school building to accommodate the Gram
mar and High school" but "knows of no practi-
cal way by which to secure such building at
the present time" He finds that the fire de-
partment has continued to maintain an excel.
lent equipment" thinks the weight OF the
steam fire engine an objectionable feature,
but that it may be we'll to keep it for emer.
gencies. Suggests new contract be made tc
cover the lights in the central portion of the
city, with some minor amendments that he will
suggest later. Says of the raising of the water
rates, with another raise threatened" that he
knows of nothing that we can do to protect
our city's interest in this matter, unless by ap.
peal to the Public Utilities Commission we may
secure more favorable rates." He finds the
cemeteries in such condition that they require
no special outlay; and urgently recommends
that the auditor be required to make monthly
reports showing the financial condition in each
department that We may "be better able te
keep our expenditures within the amounts ap.
propriated."
The city council organized by electing DIR
VIM. c. Libbey, president. and Harold J. Nc
Keen, clerk. In joint convention the follow
ing officers were elected:
City clerk, Orrin J. Dickey, 10; Warren Fahy
g
City treasurer, S. Aug. Parker, 9; Edwart
Slbley, 8.
| City solicitor, Franklin A. Greer.
City physician, Harry L. Klgore.
Chief engineer, Stephen S. L. Shute.
City Marshal, M. R. Knowlton.
| Collector of taxes, S. A. Parker, 8; Edwar,
Sibiey 4.
Auditor, L. ]. Pottle.
Harbor Master. N. S. Lord.
Port Warden, N, S. Lord.
Inspector of buildings, Sanford Howard.
Inspector of milk, Giles G. Abbott S; VIM. L
West. 8; John b. Darling4 d.
Assistant Engineers, W. J. Clifford an,
Francis K Pendleton.
Assessor for three years, M. W. Lord.
Overseers of Poor. W. L. West, G. G. Abbot
and E. 5. Pitcher.
Fence viewers, Emery o. tendeton, Georg
F, Mayhem and Richard Merriam.
Sealer of weights and measures. Percy
Edgecomb.
Standing Committees.
Finance, Accounts and Claims, Alderman
Morse, CounciImen Lothrop and McKeen.
Public Schools, Alderman Holmes. council
men Staples and Keene
Highways and Bridges, Alderman Kimbal
Councilmen Cunningham and McKeen.
Fire Department and City Property, Alder
man Bradford, Councimen Sylvester an
Keene.
Sidewalks, Alderman Holmes, Councilmer
Libbey and Cunningham.
Cemeteries. Alderman Higgins, Councilme
Hall and Staples.
Bylaws and Police Regulations, Aderma
Higgins, CouDcilmen Thompson and Larrabe.
Enrolled Ordinances. Alderman Morse, Coun
cilmen Cunningham and Larrabee,
Lights, Alderman Bradford, Councilme
Lothrop and Larrabee.
Sewers, Alderman Kimball, Coupcilmen Syl
ves'er and Thompson.
State Pensions, Aldermen Braif ,rd, Mors
and Kimball.
Other officers and committees we're deferre
to the next me citing.
All orders necessary for starting the regula
routine of the city government were passe
as usual.
M. W. Lord will act as city clerk during Nj