Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-20

A committee consisting sof two men
men named by the city council and
Two by the mayor was appointed Mon
DAY evening at the regular meeting of
the Augusta city government, held at
CITY hall. to draft an amendment to
the present city charter placing the
police department under civil service
regulations. This committee. which
consists of Willis r. Swift and Thom-
as c. lngraham. appointed by the city
council. and Melvin l.. Sawtelle and
Emery Q. Reane appointed by the may
or. Will report the form of bill and
any recommendations which they may
see fit not later than the regular Feb
ruary meeting of the city government,
and will request the mayor to call a
meeting OF citizens to consider the bill
before final action is taken by the city
council.
The order passed with reference to
this action follow:
Whereas It is the sense Of the city
council that for the more efficient adj
ministration of the affairs Of the city
of Augusta the police force should be
removed from all semblance of polit-
ical control and placed on a civil serv-
ice basis; and
WhereaS such change necessi-
tates an amencraiis In the present city
charter and the drafting Of an act for
said purpose: and
Whereas it is the judgment of the
city council that the interests of the
city will be best served by having said
act drafted by committee of citi-
zens in no way connected with the
present city government and free from
all possibility of prejudice or bias;
Now, therefore, Ordered: That
committee of four be forthwith ap-
pointed to draft an amendment to the
present city charter placing the police
under civil service. two Of said COM
mittee to be appointed by the mayor
and two by the city council, said COM
mittee to report form of bill, to-
Gether with its recommends tons in
connection Herewith. to this city gov
eminent not later than it's regular
February meeting, and it is recon-
mended that the said committee re-
quest the mayor to call a public meet
ing at the City hall of the citizens of
Augusta to consider the bill before fl
nal action by the city council.
The bill naming the members of this
committee reads as follows:
"Whereas a bill with reference to
placing the police of Augusta under
civil service has just been passed by
the city council: and
Whereas said bill requires that the
city council anpoint two members to
serve as a committee for the drafting
of an amendment to the present city
charter;
Now. therefore, IN compliance with
said order the said city council APP
points the following two members to
serve on said committee: Willis L.
Swift. Thomas c. Ingraham.
"And in compliance with said or
der the mayor hereby makeG the fol-
lowing appointments. Melvin L. Saw
telle and Emery o. Beane"
important Proposed Legislation
Several bills authorizing special
committees to make Investigations
and report the results of their inves-
LEGATIONS together with recommended
tons on matter suggested by Mayor
Mclean in his Inauguration address
were passed at this meeting.
One reads:
Whereas. for several years there
has been carried over from year to
year temporary loan of $4,000 or
more: and
Whereas, some years since it was
cemetery trust fund in meeting cur
rent expenses; and
where's it does not seem wise to
use temporary loans to finance past
indebtedness. and good laith with the
donors of said trust funds requires
that said funds should be restored;
Nov therefore ordered that the
finance committee Investigate as to
the ACCESSIBILITY of creating a bond
issue to pay off said temporary loan
carried over as aforesaid. and to re-
store said trust funds and that they
further report in the event such a
bond issue is made, their recon-
mendations as to the teims and con-
ditions of said bonds and any other
reports which they think would be
instructive to the citv council"
Other bills provided:
That the committee on highways
and sewers should investigate and
report upon the possibility of elimine
ating the curve at the top of Rhines
hill:
That the same committee shall in
vestigate and report or the POSSIBLE
fly of building q sidewalk on the
south side of Cony street from Bow
man to Stone streets. with particular
reference as to the rights II any pos
sessed by the city on land south OF
the car track and what arrangements
can be made with owners Of the land
situated on the south side of the car
track.
That the city building committee
be authorized to investigate and
make needful repairs 10 the electri-
cal wiring of city hall so that it may
be placed in a safe condition. This
is to be done at once as the wiring
is now in bad condition.
Seek Estimates on Cost Garbage
Disposal
That committee Of four be ap-
pointed by the mayor to investigate
garbage and rubbish disposal, to sub
NIT estimates as to the cost of in
stallation of various systems and
such recommendations as they shall
see fit.
That the committee on burial
grounds shall investigate the condi-
ton Of the various vaults and make
a report together with Recommended
tions as to the need NJ additions
thereto or of new vaults.
That the fire department commit
tee look into the matter of fire pro-
lection for the various state institu-
tions within the limits of the city
and that they make such recon- |
mendations as thev see fit.
That the traffic committee 1nVestl.
gate the necessity of l. collision wall
at the foot of Oak street and that II !
in their opinion 1t is necessary they
shall submit an estimate as to the !