Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-26

noted that this amount Is nearly
equivalent to amount spent for fire
escapes. While not as conspicuous
as the fire escapes the improvements
made were in many instances nearly
as badly needed. An expensive JOB
was fixing the slate and cutters on
the roof. This improvement however
was imperative if the building was
to be protected. While this job was
in progress the woodwork on the out =
side of the building was painted.
the woodwork having previously had
only printing coat.
Another substantial Improvement
of which the general public knows
very little was the cleaning up and
renovating of the lookup This
room was thoroughly cleaned and
painted and placed in a sanitary con-
dilion.
A new ceiling was also placed on
the Office of the Water District, the
ceiling having been practically deS-
troyed at the time of the fire. Even
more substantial improvements have
been made on City Hall during the
present year as evidenced by the fact
that there has been spent in these
Improvements approximately S3too
Practically every room in the build
ing including the halls have been
painted with the exception of the
rooms occupied by the Police Depart
ment and the School Board.
How imperative these improve
ments were is evidenced by the fact
that the walls of the building had
gone so long without painting that
practically every bit of moisture had
been absorbed from the walls and the
plaster was beginning to crumblc.
Before the walls could he painted
they had to be thoroughly cleaned
and sized Chat is. filled with a sub
stance which has tendency to stick
the particles of plaster together and
prevent it from crumbline). How
urgent this improvement was may he
cathered from a comparison of the
Police Office with the remainder of
the building.
Every toilet in the building was
thoroughly cleaned and the ladies'
rest room Oh the top floor was re-
novated and new fixtures installed.
Additional radiation was also install
led in the Oversecr of the Poor s
office, the City Clerks office and in
tie superintendent of schools office.
With the exception of the Police De-
partment and the School Board
rooms which are sti,l in need OF
cleaning and painting the City Build
ing is now in excellent condition and
should call for no substantial Outlay
for a number of years.
Finances
The finances of the city are in
excellent condition. MI improve
men;s made and to he made will he
, accomplished on the current tax rate.
The year 1923 was ended with prac-
tically every bill paid and with n
cash balance of s13.525.34. This in
face of the fact. because of the severe
winter of 1929 the snow bills were
, more than $4,000 in excess of that
of n normal year: that there had
, been an increase in the state tax Of
S14.T25.G0 and that the amount raised
for schools was more than $1,000 in
excess of that of the previous twelve
months period.
Moreover during the wear the bonded
6ebt was reduced S1G.-o6.%S and during
he present Yer has been further re-
duced by $40 making total de-
crease to date in the bonded debt Of
$e5.S96.%S.
The finances for the present year
are also in excellent condition not
withstanding the unusual amount Of
work already done: the total expenses
to September 1St Of this year are some
$4,000 less than last wear and the City
Treasurer's books q: the present writ
ing show the cash to he approximate
~ $4,000 in excess Of that at the same
period last year This cash balance is
in no way fictitious for it has been
the policy of the administration to
pay all bills promptly.
The present financial standing of the
City is due largely TO the fact that
strict business methods have been en-
ployed in making every purchase and
the same return has been demarded Of
the city employees as would he ex-
pected from them if in the employ Of
n private individual. The result is
that waste has been practically elimi-
mated.
Future Outlook
When improvements such ms the
painting Of kennebec Bridge. the in
stallation of fire escapes and improve
ments TO City Hall. the Rines Hill
sidewalk and the Commercial street
job are accomplished on a current tax
rate with the reduction in the bonded
debt which will exceed before the end
of the year $50, 900. ii will he seen that
the citizens of Augusta may with all
assurance look forward to a future
when very substantial improvements