Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-11

In his third inaugural address de-
livered before an audience Of about
200 citizens yesterday morning in the
City Opera House. Mayor Leon O.
Tebbetts declared that he had given
some thought to the formation of a
citizens committee.
Such purpose" said the mayor.
"contemplates an invitation to Ger
!: tain representative citizens interest
ed in the growth and progress Of the
city to stand with the mayor and city
!! council in the executio of plans for
the public good"
The Inaugural Exercises
Hon. Leon o. Tebbetts, recently
elected mayor for the third success
sive term, and the members of the
city government were formally sworn
into office by City Clerk Arthur l..
Holmes at the inaugural exercises.
Following this ceremony Rev. c. A.
Knickerbocker. pastor OF the Univer-
salist I church. offered prayer in
which he expressed the hope that
, the leaders of the city would be de-
voted to the interests Of Waterville
during the coming year and that
wonderful things will be accom-
plished. He also declared that each
officer should be faithful to his duty
{ every day and that the city would be
the best in the State through the eff
forts of it's leaders.
The city government sat on either
side OF the Opera House stage with
+ the mayor sitting in the center. A
beautiful basket of pink carnations
and white narcissus rested on q
table beside the mayor. This basket
Of beautiful flowers. a gift to the
mayor from the ladies OF Ward Four.
Following the mayors address the
government adjourned to the City
Council rooms, where the first official
meeting of the year was held and
committees and officers elected.
Mayors Address
Mayor TebbettS delivered the fol-
lowing address:
We have met here today to formal
ly inaugurate a city government for
tho ensuing year. We are the sue
cessors of a long line of men who
not only Thought it a privilege but
deemed 1t an honor and duty to
thus participate in the city's affairs.
We should enter upon our new duties
with an appreciation Of the conf
dence reposed in us. and If you will
bear with me l will briefly outline
some of the policies which with your
cooperation l hope to put into force.
Financial Affairs
The financial condition OF the city
should invite the serious attention of
every citizen. Waterville during the
past ten years has shown very
healthy growth both in population
and financial resources. The city has
an assessed valuation of nearly S13.-
100000 and bonded Indebtedness of
only $5S1,000. The funded indebted
ness Is no new burden, nor it Is easily
shifted. Much of 1t has been handed
down to this generation.
The temporary note Indebtedness
has its explanation in the increasing
needs OF the city and in permanent
improvements demanded by the peo-
pie and consequent on the city's
growth.
Silver Street Bridge
In September of last year the
matter relative to q new concrete
so-called, at the foot of Silver
street. was taken up with the State
Highway Commission. Sketches
showing the site were prepared by
the city engineer and submitted to
the commissioners. On March 9th
a public hearing was held at the
State House before the Highway
Commission and by unanimous vote
the construction of this bridge was
authorized. The state and county
agreeing to give it's financial assist
ance to the extent of SlS.075. This
amount being based as per estimates
for the cost of construction by the
CHIEF engineer of the Highway De-
partment.
The probable cost to the city Of
WatervillC will he about $4,000.
am In hopes to have full plans and
all de.alls worked out so to present
them at the April meeting of the
city ccunCti.
Permanent Street Construction
With the heavy and increasing