The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-01-29
CALL FOR ,S46O884 10
RUN CITY THIS YEAR;
ASK A $3.50 TAX RATE
MAYOR GLYSSON'S
ANNUAL MESSAGE
Says the City of Barre Was Forced to
Meet Unusual Demands During the
Year But That Indebtedness Was
Reduced Over $4,000

Guy mas OteH COHIIOHIeu Win SOIut uil- ]
usual demands and that the government
had striven to keep the expenditures
down wherever possible. He eommends
the appointment of social welfare
worker, recommends alterations Of the
police department headquarters, calls at
tention to the heavy expenditure by the
charity department because of the influ
enza epidemic and proposes refunding
of that portion of the city's debt falling
due this year which cannot be met by
the sinking fund. Mayor Glysson's mes.
sage in full is as follows:
To the Citizens of Barre: 1t has again
become my duty to review the activities
of your city government, and to present
for your consideration several matters
which will need attention during the en-
suing year. There have been numerous
conditions confronting US which will
make this past year one long to be re-
membered by those of us who have been
intrusted with the management of our
civic affairs. In spite of the many diff
culties which we have had to meet, l am
certain that all will agree that some
progress has been made toward the goal
for which we are all striving, the mate
rial betterment and prosperity of our
city. .....
1t was recognized early in the year
that every effort would have to be made
toward economy and efficiency in the ad
ministration OF the several departments
Of the city, and earnest endeavors have
been made to keep all expenditures to
the lowest possible amount consistent
with proper service TO the public. II has
frequently been the case that the public
itself has demanded improvements and
expenditures which have strained the re-
sources of the treasury to the limit, but
every effort consistent with public policy
has been made to satisfy the demands of
the taxpayers.
The street department, in common
with the other departments, has had to
contend with the increased cost of both
labor and material, yet it has been able
to keep within its appropriation without
impairing its efficiency. The policy of
constructing a certain amount of perma-
nent streets and sidewalk each year,
which was adopted two years ago, has
been followed out this year with very
acceptable results / believe that the
construction Of more good walks and
streets will meet with the hearty approx
al of our citizens
The water department has this year
practically completed the improvements
to the fire protection system which were
outlined three years ago and has been
able to take care Of the expenditures for
the same from current income. These
improvements are greatly necessary to
the safety and welfare Of our city, and
il is a matter for eongratulation that the
department has been able to install them
without a special bond issue. The large
number of empty tenements incidental
both to the war and the influenza cpl
demic has operated to decrease the in
come from water rentals, but a healthy
increase may be confidently looked for in
the future.
The fire department. has once more jus
titled our confidence in its efficiency and
the ability of its officers and men. The
city is indeed fortunate in its fire protec-
tion. 1t was with deep regret that we
received the resignation of Chief c. B.
Gladding, as we all recognized the lead
ing part which he has played in the up
building of the department. We are con
fident, however, that Chief Tobin will be
able to keep it up to its present high
standard.
The poor department has labored un-
! der the most discOuraging conditions, but
has met and handled all difficulties in an
economical and business-lik manner.
The increased cost of fuel, provisions,
and clothing, and the greatly increased
expenses due to the influenza epidcm'
has made a large increase in the appro-
priation necessary. The oyerseer and the
charity committee have worked long and
diligently. and deserve the commendation
of the public The employment of Miss
Louise NJ. Gridley, social worker, to as
sist in solving some Of the problems of
this department, has been step in the
right direction, and we are beginning al
ready to reap some of the benefits that
will surely accrue from her efforts.
| would renew my recommendations
relative to new quarters for the police
department This department is surely
deserving of better accommodations than
they have at present.
The past year has been 4 trying one
for this city, in common with others, by
reason of the unusual conditions with
which it has had to contend. Labor for
| all kinds of repair and construction work
! has been hard to find, has commanded
exceptionally high wages, and has been
lacking in efficiency. The prices of con-
| struction materials Of all kinds have
reached the highest point on record, with
the inevitable result of greatly increasing
| the cost of all the work which has been
carried out during the year. The contin-
ued increase in the cost of supporting
the poor has been very marked during
! the year, and the effects of the influenza
epidemic in October sent it soaring to a
point hitherto undreamed of, but it had
! to be met, and we believe that the needy
were we'll taken care of, and that no
more was spent for this purpose than
was actually necessary. Borrowed mon
ey, which it is always necessary to have
to carry on the city business during the
! first seven months of the year, was at a
high rate all the year. We also had to
raise an extra tax of Is cents on the
dollar for the support of city schools, to-
gether with the extra state tax of 20
cents on the dollar for general state pur-
poses, yet notwithstanding all these
facts, the city's Indebtedness as com
pared with last year has been reduced
over $4,000, and its assets increased over
$4,000, which, all things considered, is
probably as good q showing as viii be
made this year by most cities Of our
| size.
The year 1919 will present many prob
! lens to be solved. Chief among these