The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-01-12
Barre's Advance Described
in Annual Reports Sub
mitted Last Night
MAYOR TOLD NEED
OF MORE WATER
Urges School Consolidation
to Cut Expenses-Possi-
bility Of Tax Reduction

The need of securing an increased
city water supply, proposed reduc
tion in the tax rate of the city, rec
ommendation for consolidation of som,
of the schools of the city and reporf
on the completion of the granite arcl
bridge on South Main street were
salient features of the annual messag,
of Mayor Frank f. Langley submitted
to the board of aldermen last night
the message being one of several an
nual reports presented and ordered
printed in the 1921 city report
Mayor Langley reported that not
withstanding the fact that the city
! had to pay about 81 500 Of old bills, the
city ended the past year with a cash
balance S2l 900 greater than year
ago. and although the city borrowed
$4,000, as authorized by the citizens,
for the construction Of the granite
bridge, the net debt of the city has
not increased more than $1,000 after
deducting cash balance and sinking
fund for the year.
If the school account could be cut Is
cents, he asserted, and could be
matched by a similar reduction in the
general city tax, and supplemented by
a reduction Of the direct state tax by
one hall, ii may be possible to carry
the city along in 1927 on a $3.50 tax
rate instead Of s. as at present.
The message of Mayor Langley is
as follows;
To the Citizens of Barre:
Following along the lines of general
business, the policy of the city in the
year just closed has been one of re-
trenehment and readjustment Every
effort has been made to bring the city's
finances and affairs to point where
practically a new start could be made
the coming year, with the hope of
keeping up with the progress of the
times and the advance of the city.
Barre Just now is feeling the full
effects Of the general slump in bust
ness, but a revival always follows a
slump and we are sure to see re-
sumption of old-time activity.
Because the income from taxation
in the years Immediately preceding
1920 was not equal to the expenditures
in city affairs. a considerable number
of bills came forward for payment N
this year and your present city gov
ernmeut faced the problem of not only
taking care of the requirements for
the year but also this accumulation of
bills for expenses incurred in previous
years. These amounted to an approx /
mate total Of 81 800 and with the IN
creased cost Of labor and materials did .
not present a very promising outlook /
for achievement in the way of new /
permanent work and construction.
While our tax rate was increased 10 /
a total of 81, only 3 cents of the nd
1itional tax went to the general city /
tax for general city purposes. With 4
this, however. and the additional in
come derived from a larger grand list,
he city has maintained all city de
oartments az the usual standard Of
efficiency. paid all bills contracted dur
ug the wear. cleared up over 81 800
# old bills and ended the year with
! cash balance S2l 600 greater than
year ago While the city borrowed
$4,000 as authorized by vote in city
Meeting, for the construction Of the
south Main street bridge the net debt
# the city, deducting cash balance and
linking fund for the wear. has not been
more than - 600
South Main Street bridge.
The chief work Of a permanent ma
ure for the year was the construction
4 the granite arch bridge on South
lain street. This was begun early in
lay and completed in October and rrp.
esents total expenditure by the city
( 35.4Ol 50. In addition. il should
e stated that all the granite enter
ne into IL was contributed by quarry
wners. residents Of the city The /.
TENS entering into the cost Of lie !
ridge are:
'ontract for erecting bridge SIS. l2300 ,
W. Storrs. engineer, for
plans ............ |. 500 ~ J
and and highway damages 100000 /
radinr approach TO bridge 4
and lighting ........... 2.1S2G3
partment ...-7 a23o !
temporary bridge ..-..... 1855 i
......... 6s 40 /,