Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-03-10
DR.. BAIRD TAKES IN HAND
AFFAIRS OF CITY MONDAY

At one of the largest attended mu-
Elcipal inauSurations in a number
of years in City Hall yesterday
morning, DIR. Paul r. Baird, the first
republican mayor that Waterville
Eas mad in five years, took over the
relns of the city's affairs. backed by
a majority in both branches of the
city government. Fully 500 people
We're present at the ceremony.
The meeting was opened by the re-
firing mavor, Leon o. Tebbetts, who
shook hands with DIR. Baird con-
sratulated him on taking office and
pledged to him his heartiest supnort
at all times. The oath of office was
administered by Charles w. Atchley.
judge of the Waterville municipal
court, and prayer was offered bv
Kew. L. A. Pollard Jones of the Wat
eryille Methodist church.
DIR. Baird then delivered his in
augural address which was as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the city council:
We are assembled here today ac-
cordinG to custom and by will of the
people as expressed at the polls. We
are intrusted with the care and con-
troll of our municipal government for
the ensuing year. Our duties will be
in no sense political. The contest is
closed and we are charged with the
care for the safety of persons and
property of our citizens. The wise
and economical conduct of the citys
finances and the administration of
the other public affairs of Water
vile.
In the selection Of subordinate Of
fcers. it is to be expected that men
friendly to this administration will
be chosen, but in the conduct of the
moral, intellectual and financial af-
fairs of the city, do not allow your
partisanship to interfere with your
exercise of good judgment in select
ing competent citizens to fill the Of
fees.
The condition Of the finances of any
city is a question OF paramount i'm
portance to it's citizens and one about
which too much cannot be said in
the way Of explanation and informa-
ton to those who furnish the means
by which the expenses and charges
of the municipality are to be met.
The one thing l must impress upon
you today is that there never was a
greater need of rigid economy in
every department of our city. Local
demands will be made upon YOU for
improvements in the different Sec
tons of the city you represent, and
when these are brought together they
will aggreRte an amount which will
be beyond our ability to grant. Such
demands are often made by those
who are ignorant of our true finan-
cial condition.
The incoming city government is
confronted with debts and overdrafts
far in excess of any administration
in the history of our city. In the past
three years our interest bearing debt
has increased in the sum total by
s2SO. 600, Notwithstanding an average
increased tax levey of 16,6S5.16.
The incoming city government must
at it's first meeting pass an order to
authorize, in anticipation of taxes,
the hiring of s45o,0o0. Cor current ex-
penses and to take care of the $780,
900 temporary loan left by the out
going administration, which falls due
March 9, today.
The tax assessment Of April, 1924,
was at the rate of 81 r.ills but 1t did
not Weld enough revenue by S43,-
939.10 to meet the expense incurred.
The total interest bearing debt of the
city Is SS61,O00 which imposes an in
terest charge of $500 annually up
on the tax payers, or about 500 per
day.
Sound financial judgment dictates
that we cannot continue to pass on
mountig debts. Each year and gem
Grafton will have its own problems
and must no. be handicapped.
There is not enough money in the
treasury by about $4,000 to meet the
March roll of accounts. This Is rep
resented largely by bills for tarvia'
coupons, contract for repairing the
armory, salaries, and commissions in
Cured by the outgoing ndministra-