Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-11-06
CITY DEPARTMENTS IN
FINANCIAL DISTRESS
Street Commissioners Call for
Money Spent in Repairing
Bridges, Water Rates Likely
to Go Up. and Sewers Cannot
BE Mended Without Funds

The monthly meeting of the board of
aldermen took unexpected turns Monday
evening with none of the excitement
anticipated and the board wound mp by
agreeing in some unlooked-for places The
harsher parts Of the schedule were all
cut out and postponed until an adjourned
meeting. which is to take place next
Monday evening, when both sides hope
to have greater strength to put into the
fray.
1t was expected Monday that the
messages of Mayor jackson. Withholding
his approval of the increase in street car
fares, the purchase of fire apparatus, the
sale of fire station five, and the APP
Precipitation of 5000 for permanent road
work on Park avenue would be read and
an effort made to pass them over the
mayors veto Only the the last message
was read and Alderman Patrick. who
was author of the resolution authorizing
the Park avenue improvements, moved to
sustain the mayors action in this re-
spect.
Only eight aldermen were present at
the meeting and one of these was
Alderman Dwyer. it became appa rent
from the first that the aldermen could
pass nothing over the mayors veto as
Mr.. Dryers stand in favor of the en-
pected vetoes was well known. As re-
suit, before any of the messages had been
read except the one relating to the i'm =
provemcnts on Park avenue. Alderman
Patrick made motion to adjourn for
the reason that matters of such impor-
tance should not be considered without
the representatives of all the voters
being present The aldermen who were
absent were Messrs Ladd Caisse. Bessett
and Bergeron. The motion to adjourn was
carried with only the dissenting voice of
Alderman Dwyer. The rest of the eve
ming was given over. for the most part
to listening to the financial troubles of
the different departments
or those in distress the worst seemed
to be the street department A COM
munication was read from the commits
sioners in which it was stated that some
relief might be obtained if the depart-
ment could get back the money which
IT had been called on to spend in repair
ing bridges. This work, which amounted
to $500, was done in addition to that
which was included in the appropriations
and is required by law. The work was
done on the Heineberg. Winooski and
Potash brook bridges. The aldermen con-
sdered the matter carefully and finally
agreed on resolution, presented by
Alderman Hall which ordered the city
treasurer to pay to the street department
So,5" which had been expended in this
way.
The street department had other
troubles and Commissioner Magner, who
was present said that if some money
was not given IT, all work might be
q
The sewers on North Bend. Willow and
Bissell streets have been ordered repaired
but the work cannot be done without
funds. There is terrible condition at
the poor farm where the sewer has burst
and is overflo wing land which does not
belong to the city. II is highly impor-
tart that this be taken care OF, but
funds must be had
When the street department had been
heard from, the water department came
IN with an announcement that it was
bound to overdraw it's appropriation by
5000 and nothing could prevent it. il the
city was to be provided with water The
figures which made this overdraft were
presented. The principal reason was In
the increase in rates of electricity for
pumping. which caused an increase Of
5000 in this item. The laying Of the
main on Pine street and Park avenue
had cost $500 more than the appropria-
ton. the labor item was 5000 larger than
estimated and even the alum used at the
hltration bed cost $500 more than the
year before because the price had jumped
from one cent per pound to more than
two. There had been no increase in the
rates in ten years, and il was impossible
TO do business under former conditions
The aldermen expressed desire to
help matters out, but had no means of
knowing what the rates ought to be- A
resolution was drawn requesting the
supe rintendent and commissioners to be
present at'the next meeting with ,recom-
mendauons as to what the new rates
should be.
1t is understood that the electric light
department desires to increase its rates
and the park department. is in financial
Following the receipt of eonnmunica-
ton from Miss Elsie Brown, president of
the Visiting Nurses association. the board
voted to pay the association $500. II has
always paid this amount annually but for
some reason it was neglected this year
when the association had done more than
in any previous year because of the influ-
enza.
II was voted to empower Patrick Henry
10 act as policeman in and about the Rut-
and railroad property. Henry has been
A police officer on the force for many
years but recently resigned 10 take
position as railroad policeman in a force
which is being organized on the Rutland
road
On motion of Alderman Mcbride some
were ordered on East ave-
nue. which have been striven for during
the last year or two. A sidewalk and curb
ing were ordered from Colchester avenue
south to "A point more than half way TO
road. II possibleh this will be
laid this fall,
The board had other troubles and when
with the finances. was con-
fronted with bill for $500 due the ply
sicians of the city for the year 1913 for
fees given for fling death, birth and other
certificates, The city treasurer was au-
thorized to borrow $4,000 more on a tenn.
porary loan to help out the city in its
operating expenses.
This is about twice the sum ordinarily
for a months running ex-
penses. but was made necessary because
of the citys financial condition, in the
opinion of the aldermen.
Bills ordered paid were as follows:
Water ST. 1856, 70; charity, sl,l69. fire, sS,6is. |,
library sai3 electric light S,37s, and /
police 81, 26S, with numerous bills for Incl |
ientals,
Mayor Jackson's veto Of the proposed !
venue follows:
Bur n ctr natp Ind