Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-06

of its seizures being one of the larg-
est ever made in this locality.
Finances
The City's finances are in splendld
condition. Notwithstanding the I'M
precedented amount of work done
there has been no increase either IN
the bonded or current Indebtedness.
On the contrary both have been re-
duccd. the bonded debt Including
payments to sinking funds) by $l5,-
9a0.13 and the fire truck notes by
$4,000. The net bonded debt is now
$2G0.04S52 There is $4,000 still due
on the ladder truck notes. The tenn
porary loan of $4,000 which has
been carried over from year to year
for several years is still unpaid. l
will refer TO this in my recommended
tons.
The City completes it's year with
substantially all bills paid and a
cash balance of $2,223.7S. This state
mcnt will possibly be more signlfi-
cant il it is again recalled that the
new buildings acquired by the city
during the year at conservative
valuation amount to $4,000.
I Recommendation
! am making several recommends =
tons and suggestions. l have not
ATTEMPTED to list them in the order
of what l may conceive to be their
\ respective importance. Many,
/ think we will agree, deserve immed-
late attention. All,~I trust. will be
found worthy of serious considera-
ton.
Garbage Removal
! Little need be said on this subject.
! T. is a matter which was before the
| last City Government which recon-
mcnded that they felt that some steps
should be at once taken toward its
| solution. 1t is an Improvement In
which the public in general Is very
much interested. 1t is business
proposition however involving not
only present but a continued ex-
{ penditure. Careful consideration
should therefore be given to the best
and most economical way of accom-
plishing the result desired.
i State House and Railway Station
| Should Be Connected With Well
Lighted Streets Having Good
! Sidewalks
| Augusta has one of the most beau
tiful railway stations that can be
found anywhere. The stranger who
enters it cannot fail to be favorably
! IMPRESSED The State House and
grounds are beautiful and impress
i've. The State House is the objec-
tive of many who alight at our sta
ton. The streets and sidewalks con-
Meeting the two should be well built,
well kept and we'll lighted. While
tho streets are good the sidewalks
and lighting are both defective. |
trust that the next two years may
see both these defects remedied.
Sidewalk on Southerly SIDE Of
Cory Street
Cony street Is rapidly becoming q
business street. The new brick
blocks erected during the past year
by property owners and the new
granolithic sidewalk constructed by
the City has done much to improve
it's appearance. A sidewalk on the
southerly side of the street between
the bridge and Stone street will soon
he a necessity. 1t would relieve the
Cony high students from crossing at
least one street heavily burdened
with traffic. The need of such walk
Is apparent. No part of the street
as now travelled could however be
used for such a purpose. The street
is none too wide for its present uses.
] feel that steps should at once be
taken to see what rights if any the
City has to any Of the land adjacent
to the electric car track and to as
certain what arrangements can be
made with the property owners look
Ing to the construction of a sidewalk
on that side of the street in the not
too distant future.
Collision Wall at Foot of Oak Street
! Conservation of life should be the
first thought of every community.
Belief in this principle resulted in
the erection of a collision wall at the
much needed at the foot of Oak
street. It's early erection will surely
result in the saving Of the lives Of
some of our citizens.
Rinea Hill Curve
Rnes Hill has furnished many
problems. Gradually they have been
mot. At least one yet remains. No
one needs to be told that the side
walk on the westerly side Of the hill
needs rebuilding. An order for re-
building was passed last year. To
rebuild the walk without rebuilding
the retaining walls which are in bad
condition, would be wastcful. When
this rebuilding is done would seem
to be an opnortune time to cut the
curve and widen the street on its
westerly side. This could be done in
such n way as to in no way injure
the adjoining property but rather to
improve ii.
Proper Wiring of City Hall
Notwithstanding that much has
been done recently in safeguarding
and improving the City Building
;11, lie,
early attention. The electric wiring
in City Han is very defective, and is
especially so about the stage. so much
SO that especial care and safeguards
are necessary when any other than
the simplest lighting effects are de-
sired. This hazard should be re-
moved and at the same time such
changes and improvements made as
will make the lighting system
adapted to the uses to which the hall
. is now being put.
The policy with reference to side
walks during the past two years has
been one of permanent construction.
rather than makeshift patchwork"
and a substantial amount has been
appropriated for sidewalk purposes.
| recommend that this policy be con-
tlnucd i nave no SuS@eStloH DIS 10
what particular walks should be built
other than that walks should be built
where most needed and whefe they
Will serve the greatest number.
Highways
trust that the substantial work
done on the North Belfast and
Thomaston roads may be continued.
Efforts to have the state take over
the North belfast road should not be
ahated. This now seems to be large
ly Il matter of funds. All interested
in the State taking over this road will
follow CLOSELY all highway matters