Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-21
Mayor McNaughton
Makes Statement
On Finances of City

| On account OK tnc ihAhSlS 800
| circulated that the City of Gardlnel
| is almost bankrupt and that the City
| is very much in debt by this year
operations, I wish to state that so
| far, we have paid every bill for all
| the departments, such as Highway
and Sewer construction. Police, FIRE
Poor Department and Education
also the money borrowed in antlcl-
patton Of taxes, and November ISL
had an unexpended cash balance IN
| the city treasury as per audltor
books of $11. 640.44. and had the
following credits due the city from
the State of Maine, estimates from
what we actually received last year
but which is not credited until De-
cember. or
School Fund $lO,5Id.oo
Industrial Education l,33ooU oOo
Physical Training ooo'oo
i'1 Tax anu 2,559.53
From Trust Funds for
money advanced for
worthy poor and care
of cemeteries WuoO
Uncollected Taxes 1929 40, 81 . {
Uncollected Taxes 1924 4,S9Ol0
on icons Years sN s,o6s.51
pills receivab1e 472.62
Due from the AUDITORS
for putting in sewers
on Spring, Clinton.
Pray, Deane streets
n ru 2,232.O5
This makes a grand total of $780,
27304 to pay the State and County
Tax, and the running expenses OF
the City for the remainder of the
year.
1 also wish to state that to the
best of my knowledge the credit OF
the City of Gardiner never was SO
good as it is today, and to substan-
tiate this statement l will call your
attention to this item that, When we
offered the $4,000 Bridge Bonds
for sale last month, they sold Tor al
most par at rate of interest OF oniy
four per cent, which was a petteT
price than the Cities of Auburn and
Lewiston received for their bonos
which were offered for sale recent
Iy. If the New High School Bonds
could have been sold at this rate 1t
would have saved the tax payers OF
| Gardiner approximately $16,740.O0
The improved condition of our
streets is apparent to everyone. we
now have new stables, garage ano
storage buildings for our equipment
| The City building has been improved
new lighting fixtures installed and
new furniture purchased for the
Council Chamber.
The City received $49.900,39 In
| cash from the sale Of the Bridge
Bonds and accrued interest, this
money is now on deposit drawing
interest for the City of Gardiner
| less the $500 paid for the purchase
| of "Gray's Wharf" and the initia
payment for the City's share of the
| construction of Maine Ave, Bridge
and G & r Bridge, which have beer
| the cause of much anxiety to the
| City for years past. With these
Bridges rebuilt, Water St., and De.
! pot Square repaved, the much need
! ed sewers constructed, the old sta
/ bles removed and modern buildings
| now taking their places, I see nc
| reason why the tax rate next yeal
should not be lower, at least there
is no reason why it should be higher
In closing, may I ask our citizens
who are interested in the welfare Of
| the City, and would like to check III
on any or all of these statements, Il
| they would make an appointment
| with our City Auditor (who hal
served faithfully and efficiently un
| der several administrations ant
who will be glad to show them tn,
City Books, and give them any in
| formation they may desire carried
in the City records.
| d. s. McNAUGHTON,
Mayor