New Britain herald., 1925-03-04
Stresses Need of Further Economy and Discusses Financial Burden Inn posed by School System.
Especial to the llerald)


 his annual message 10 the city coun- cil last niEnt. Tho mayor spoke Of the city's progress and his desire to see even greater things accom- plished.
 His message follows:
 "A guide for judgment as to fu- ture action is wisely sought in the experience of the past, and history is always interesting especially 10 those who have had d hand in the making of it. The instituted custom therefore of an annual review of the activities, and accomplishments of our city government should be in- teresting and instructive 10 us, and also enable the taxpayers and pub lie to judge whether the City's af- fairs have been conducted intelll- gently, efficiently and economically, 'I submit herewith a statement showing appropriations made to the several city departments for the past year, and the actual eNpendi- lures charged against such appro- priations. One of the happy fea lures disclosed, IS the practically universal habit our departments have acquired of keeping eXpendi lures within the appropriations, thus espitaliging the advantages of a budget system.
 Preference 10 the statement sub n,itted herewith shows that there was appropriated last year for oper" sting expenses Gncluding interest amounting to SS5,375.O0; sinking fan Sb,500.O0 and the retirement of s76,00O0O of City bonds) the sum of Ss2o,O1O,S1 and there was ex" pended the sum of $77T156.22 Cn- cluding interest, sinking fund, and bonds retired) which shows a say. ing In expenditures over appropria- tions Of S4o,S54.59.
 Operating expenses were as above $777156.22 but to apply on this there were receipts of S120,- e75.21, making net operating eX- penses (including SS4,375.S5 inter- est; s5,500.00 sinking fund and S25,000.0O bonds retired) of s656,- IoI.p1s dAGo NOl4CNLNd 0A44OO44ISN to s629.47457. There are also un- collected taxes of last year amount ing 10 S65,301.24.
 "The receipts of the water de- partment amounted to $95,7S9.21. Expenditures Gncluding interest and s4,9O705 for plant deprecia- tion) amounted to $60,537.20, leav- ing a balance of $33,2o2.O1. $6,5OO of this was applied to a sinking fund for retiring bonds,
 Financially the water department as usual has made a splenidd show ing The quality of water supplied has been excellent, the service al that could be asked for, and the prices charged reasonable. We surely have good reason to be ap. preciative of the way our water de partment is conducted.
 Our streets and roads generally are in first class condition, and SC far as my observations go, superior in the main to other towns and cite! of our size throughout the state The public works dept. as in tht past, has functioned efficiently ant economically, and notwithstanding the tremendous damages to ou streets and roads by the sever floods of last spring, the departmen met the situation with characteristic courage, energy and resourcefulnes and the damages were repairtt promptly. and with slight inconveni euce to the public. It seems to m that our public works dept. durin the past year, has come pretty nea scoring a perfect record,
 Due 10 the excellent equipmen of our fire dept, the thorough or ganisation of the personnel, and tn prompt and energetic response { calls we have suffered no seriou confiagrstion during the past veal The department has been economi cally managed, and had a surplu left from the appropriation l wan the board, the chief and the person nel to know that I appreciate tn splendid services they have render cd to the city.
 VI headlines during the past few year. has not gotten a foothold in ou community, due, l am pleased { believe, to the efficiency of our pc lice department. Lawlessness ha been discouraged by the prompt ar prehension of the perpetrators ( such crimes as have been commit ted. The department has also bee operated most economically. and am sure the city has had full valu for every dollar expended, Sue splendid service as is rendered b our police department must surcl be appreciated.
 "Our schools during the last yea have maintained the same hlg standards of efficiency as they hay enjoyed in the past Ample taciI ties have been furnished to enab all children of school age to T. caive full time instruction. To pr vide for constantly increasing e rollment, new additions to scho buildings have been made, or a now in course of construction. Bri tol, due to the maintenance of liberal and forosighted policy
 providing school facilities, is n confronted with a lack of seatiI capacity or other facilities 10 tai care of her rapidly increasing DO uIation.
 T take pleasure in again refcrriI to the splendid services render our city by the park board. It h certainly accomplished wonders wi the meager funds that have be avilable. Also, Bristol is most fc funate in having such marvelou iy public spirited citizen as Mrs. F, Rockwell, willing 10 devote
 much of her time and private fo tune to furnishing pleasure a recreation for the 'kiddies.' l dou if many of us fully appreciate | time, effort and expense devoted