Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-11-06

Shal continue f"I 'No years. II this
two-year contract at seven cents fare
is binding for two years. why is not a
20 or 30-year contract at Ave cents a fare
also binding? I am not deciding the oues.
ton but just asking it,
return this resolution without m,
approval
j. HOLMES JACKSON. Mayor
MOTOR APPARATUS NOT NEEDED
Burlington, Vt. October eth. 1919.
To the Honorable Board of Aldermen of
the city of Burlington. ".
Gentlemen:
have carefully considered the resolu.
ton adopted by your hoard October sth
1913, relating to the purchase Of a chassis
for the wagon body al fire station No .
and a tractor for the hook and ladder
truck. and appropriating a sum therefor
said in my veto message of August
18th. 1919. relating to the proposed nur.
chase Of equipment for the fire depart
ment. that would like 10 see the dep,r,
ment motorized soon as we could
afford it. but that the taxpayors had
recently voted against the city running
into debt for things that we could get
along without. and also have said that
We better obey this vote
There are special reasons why | do NOT
favor this resolution. do not favor
as | have before said. giving any depart
ment almost unlimited authority to buy
equipment for It's department. calling
for several thousand dollars in value.
This is not said in criticism, of any Of
the members Of tho department. but he
cause 7 do not think it is good business
to do so. The city council is directly re-
sponsible TO the taxpayers and I do not
think it good business method. and per-
haps 1t is unlawful. TO delegate its pow
ers to any depart ment as proposed nv
this resolution
J have repeatedly said that cannot be
party TO borrowing money on tenn
porary loans for new supplies when we
can get along without them. Tho reso-
luton provides that the city treasurer
give "a note for such supplies and renew
II from time to time as occasion requires g
This method has never been followed to
my knowledge and deem it bad prece-
dent to begin now. The city council
should say, when any note becomes due
whether it should be renewed or paid
disagree with the board Of aldermen
II they think the taxpayers would ap-
prove OF mourning debts for this purpose
al the present time
The mayor is under the obligation of
his oath to see that the affairs of the
city are economically administered and |
take 1t that the members of the board
OF aldermen have the same sense of obi
CATION to their constituents and TO the
city at large. We cannot afford gentle
men, at the present time. to use up. in
any new ventures, all our margin for
temporary loans nor incur debts for
things that we do not absolutely need
| therefore return this resolution with
out my approval
j. HOLMES JACKSON, Mayor
CANNOT AFFORD TO INCUR DEBT
Burlington. Vt. October 18th 1919
To the Honorable Board Of Aldermen of
the City of Burlington. VI.
Gentlemen;
cannot approve NJ the resolution
adopted by your board October Sth. 1919
relating to the purchase for the fire de-
partment of a triple combination pump.
and appropriating a sum therefor
MY reasons are sci forth in my veto
message dated August 18th 1912 and in
my veto message of another resolution
relating to purchasing same equipment
and selling certain personal property now
used IN the fire department. etc -
We cannot afford to incur such a debt
as is proposed in this resolution. think
the members of the hoard fully under
stand the financial obligation we are
under this year. The taxpayers under
stand the facts and have served notice
upon us not to borrow money for new
propositions, unless absolutely necessary
When note becomes due it is the
business of the city council TO saw
whether 1t shall be paid or renewed
40 not believe II is good business method
to give this authority to any branch
OF the city government
We, as members of the CITY council
are directly accountable to our cons,itu.
ents and to the city at large and we
should not only be faithful. but careful
not to run the city into debt. in order
to get money to pay for material or work
that can be postponed to some time in
the future.
rms resolution provides thai part of
the debt proposed to be incurred under
1t may he paid by the fire department
each OF the years 1920. p. % and % out
OF the regular appropriation to that de-
partment This board and former boards
IL
lar appropriations for several of the
larger departments increases year by
year ! do not believe il would he prac-
ticable to use any OF the regular ammo
priations in payment of trfis debt. To
agree TO do so is unwise in nv il,dr
ment, and would hamper the efficiency
of the department in the future
You are fully aware thai am opnosed
10 placing upon the taxpayers. This
year any burden. that we can avoid.
and return to your honorable board his
resolution without my approval
j HOLMES JACKSON. Mavor
CANNOT SANCTION SALE OF FIRE
STATION
Burlington. VI. October 2lst 1919
To the Honorable Board Of Aldermen Of
the City of Burlington VI,
Gentlemen.
You adopted resolution on October
9th last. relating 10 the sale of city prop
erty, formerly fire station No ;
You authorize and direct the finance
committee to fix the price and sell this
property You make this order per
emptorN
do not think it a good rule to estab.
lish. TO order the sale of any city prom
erty like this. without first having A
committee of your board appointed. to
carefully consider whether II is a good
time 10 sell, whether fair price can he
obtained and whether II is hest to force
sale under present conditions. and then
make report 10 this board,
The public is entitled In know tho