Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-02-03

The first regular meeting OF the
new city government was held Mon
day evening with Mayor McNaughton
in the chair and Aldermen Amesbury.
Blaisdell, Boston, Chase and Trafton
present. The minutes of the pre-
vious regular and special meetings
were read by the city clerk. after
which various items under the head
of unfinished business were trans
acted.
Alderman Boston. chairman Of the
committee in regard to the diagram
ing of the city lot, reported and the
plans drawn UP by City Engineer
Barnard We're shown and discussed.
Alderman Trafton. chairman of the
committee in regard to the purchase
of a pair of horses. reported and re-
commended that the pair which he
and Commissioner Jose had bargain
ed for be purchased, after the appro-
priationS had been made. The mat
ter of the abatement of the taxes Of
the Pine Tree Pulp Co. was again
discussed. and the facts of the case
reviewed bv Mayor McNaughton. 1t
was moved that the chair appoint
committee from the city government
to meet with a like committee from
the board of trade to consider the
matter fully. The following commit
tee was appointed: Alderman Traf-
ton, Alderman Boston. City Solicitor
f. l.. Goodspeed, and the mayor eX-
o1ficio.
Mayor McNaughton announced that
Sc, eral complaints had been received
as to the manner in whic hthe dances
at the South Gardiner Community
club We're conducted. lie stated that
they had been so persistent That
something would have to be done
about it. 1t was voted that the city
solicitor be instructed to draw up a
suitable ordinance in regard to the
licensing of dance halls. and also
voted that Chief Dunn be instructed
to attend to the matter in the mean
time.
Mayor McNaughton stated that
thus far the city government had not
been Obliged to borrow money to pay
the current bills as they had been
paid in December. In past years this
has always been necessary. 1t was
moved that the city treasurer be au
thoriZed to hire the sum of $4,000
in anticipation of taxes. and to eX
tend to the mayor and city treasurer
authority to hire more money at such
times as 1t is needed.
Mayor McNaughton announced
that more complaints had been re-
ceived in regard to the Max Goldberg
property on the corner of Water and
Winter streets. 1t was voted to put
this matter in the hands OF the city
solicitor for attention.
~ petition was read from residents
in the vicinity of Central and Elm
streets for street light on Elm
street half way between Central
street and Washington avenue. 1t
was voted that this matter be referred
to the street commissioner for inves-
LEGATION. The rolls of the fire depart
ment for 1928 as presented by Chief
Dunn were approved. The matter of
the appointment OF the health officer
for the period of three years as rec
commended by the State Department of
Health was referred to the city So
licitor The matter of a sewer on Ce-
dar street as petitioned for was re-
ferred to Commissioner Jose.
The question of police matron for
the city was taken up and discussed
at some length. and while the alder
men ard mayor approved heartily of
the scheme. the question was raised
as to whether or not the city could
afford 1t at this time. Several appli-
cations have been received and 1t was
moved that the chair appoint a COM
mittee to deal with this. This COM
mittee will be announced later.
The roll of accounts amounting to
s6452.S1 was ordered paid on the ap-
prevail of the finance committee.
The first and second selectmen of
Randolph appeared at this meeting, as
well as Fire Warden Joseph Lemar, in
regard to the abatement of the bill
OF 500 charged against the town for
the services of the pumper prior to
the passing of the order authorizing
such a charge. The gentlemen from
Randolph had an imposing array of
data at hand and offered a fine plea
for mutual understanding in regard
to this. and after lengthy discussion
the city government offered to split
the bill and call it $50, and to this.
after a secret session. the Randolph
officials agreed. Then arose another
discussion lengthier than the first in
regard to what authority the local de-