Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-22

"a low tax rate means little II pur-
chased at the expense of needed re-g
pairs or improvements" said Mayor
Ernest L. Mclean Monday evening in
his summary of the work done in the
past year by his administration which
was presented at the meeting of the
city government. 81 believe, however.
that we will be able to make all needed
repairs and consummate substantial
improvements during the present year
on a decreased tax rate. I feel. how
ever. that the public should and will
judge US by results rather than by
the tax rate.
ITO recommend economy is popular.
To practice economy is more effective.
During the past year every economy
consistent with good business has
been practiccd. That policy will, of
course, be continued. We should also
profit by our years experience and the
organizations which 1t has effected.
Wise expenditure. is. however, fire.
quently the best economy"
Mayor Mclean recommended espe-
ciaIly that Commercial street be wild
ened between Oak and Bridge streets
by using the land now occupied by the
Maine Central Railroad as mail sid
park cars diagomally on both sides of
the street. To take over this land.
however. il Is necessary to find new
siding for the mail cars, and the So
luton Of this problem requires the CO.
operation of the mail houses. the postal
authorities and the Maine Central Rail-
road Co.. and will undoubtedly require
the erection of building to take care
of the third class mail. This problem
! seems likely of early solution. If this
can be accomplished, Mayor Mclean
| recommends that new and adequate
sidewalk be constructed along the en-
tire easterly side of the street.
He also recommended that several
new sidewalks be built. and that a
new plank walk be built on the bridge.
He said "a policy of permanent con-
| s;ruction rather than makeshift patch
work will ultimately result in a great
/ Improvement in our walks"
| Both the North Belfast and the
| Thomas ton roads need to re repaired.
| Because of the fact that both have been
designated as State highways, the city
| has done little on these roads. hoping
! that the State might take them over at
| any time. This has not been done. al
| though repeated efforts have been made
| to have the State take over the Belfast
| iOdd dSSISiulC II d IOdu dpoAi
! which construction would be under
taken. at least to some extent. IN 1924.
| If this were done it was the recommen-
dalton of Mayor Mclean that the
| Thomaston road should be Substantial
ly improved, which would result to the
benefit of both the State and the city.
| In any event some definite understand
| ing should be reached by the city and
the State with reference to these high
ways.
| Included in this report also was a
recommendation that a new cemetery
vault be built, as the present vault
| is badly congested.
Upon motion of Councilman Dwight
| Higgins the city government in joint
| convention passed a vote of common
| dation for the splendid way in which
Mayor Mclean has conducted the af-
| fairs of the city during the past year
| and the extremely friendly relations
| that have been maintained at all times
| between the mayor and the members of
the city government.
The reports of the city engineer, the
city treasurer, the city marshal and
| the city solicitor were all presented
at this mca+i"g End accepted.
Roll of Accounts
| ThcFroll of accounts No. ! passed
| at this meeting totals S193.65l.61. In
| cluded in this roll Of account are bills
aggregating 100000 which were paid
prior to December 81. 1923. Approxi7
mately s75, 1000 of the remainder has
been paid since that time. S79.91S.55
| of this is State tax. S7271.71 county
tax and $4,000 of it is temporary
| loan which was passed along by the
| last admine traton.
Routine Business
| But q few orders came before the