Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-05

mittee) without whose approval no
licenses of any kind have been grant
ed.
The Police Force have continued
their activities in the enforcement OF
the prohibitory law, acting inde-
pendently and also in cooperation
with both the county and Federal
authorities. These activities have
proven very salutary not only In
bringing to punishment many of the
law breakers but also in prompting
many to desist from their unlawful
activities and in deterring others
from assuming the hazard.
Finances
In compliance with the recommen-
dations of last year the old Temper
airy Loan of $4,000 which had been
carried for many years and the trust
funds of approximately $4,000 which
had been used, were taken care of by
the creation of a serial per cent
bond issue of $124000 payable $4,000
per year beginning with 1926. While
this issue created an increase In the
bonded debt it represents no INCREASE
in the actual Indebtedness. The
bonded debt has in fact been de-
creased by $13983.92 during the past
year and the $4,000 balance due on
| the ladder. truck has also been paid.
The net bonded debt Gncluding
credits to sinking fund.- is now $47o,-
| O64.00.
This city government has had 70
| face unusual financial burdens our
! ing the last year. The State tax last
year was $S1,SS1.40, the largest state
| tax, I think, ever paid by Augusta
an increase of $7,471.77 over 1924.
x
| 63O.61 in the county tax, making the
total increase in the State and
county tax, $12,102.3S. In addition the
amount received from the State for
railroad and telegraph was $2,73l.3z
less than last year. Here was nearly
a mill and a half increase on our
total valuation. In addition to the
foregoing the oiling was taken care
of in the general tax rate rather
than by special assessment, an item
representing practically another mill.
These items, over none OF which you
had any control, represented more
than two mills on our total Valua-
ton and would naturally require
corresponding increase in the tax
rate of the preceding year. 1t was
decided. however. to continue the ola
rate of Al mills. Barring the
emergency expenditure for the Ken
nebec Bridge we have lived wlthln
this tax rate. While the BOOKS snow
a loan for $4,000 as of December
31st the cash On hand and the ad-
ditional State aid work done Greatly
on this years account and for which
the State will give credit this year,
together with several other smaller
items will practically take care or
! this loan, barring, as stated above,
! the emergency expenditure on the
bridge. | feel that we may be Justly
| proud of this showing. AS result
| of our having anticipated some OF
| the needs of this year ! believe we
will be able to continue with the
same tax rate.
| Recommendation
| AS we have seen, many of the rec
ommendat lions of last year have been
| carried into effect. Substantial pro-
gress has been made on several or
| the others, as for example, the COLL
! sion wall at the foot of Oak street
] which I trust will see completion
! this year. Surveys have also been
! made with reference to the sidewalk
| on the southerly side of Cony street.
| I feel that some start should be MADE
| on this walk this year, for the pur-
pose of protecting the city's rights IL
| for no other reason. This walk must,
however, become reality in the near
! future.
While surveys have been made
| and substantial progress shown with
reference to the solution of Rines
! Hill curve, the problem presented has
| not as vet been satisfactorily solved.
| | trust that the coming year may see
| it's solution.
/ The special committee appointed
| last wear to investigate and report on
| the garbage removal has not as yet
reported. | understand that a report
may be anticipated in the near future
! and have no doubt that it will fur
| nish us much aid in the solution of
| this problem.
/ Street Lighting
| We all must feel no little Satisfac-
| ton in the knowledge that Augusta
! is one of the best lighted cities in
| New England. The Committee on
! street Lights has given all applica-
| lions for new lights careful and in
! telligent consideration. 1t is poss1-
BILE. however, that a careful study of
| the whole lighting situation with a
| possible reimbursement of some OF the
! existing lights, might result either
| in an elimination or change of some
| of the present lights or at least in
more satisfactory lighting without
| any increased expenditure. This
matter has already been somewhat
discussed and | have no doubt will
! be acted upon during the present
year.
Highways and Sewers
A new sewer is badly needed to
connect lower Sewall street with the
Sh
be made to construct this sewer dur
ing the present year. The Thomas
| ton Road should be completed into
/ the city and the program of making
the greatest possible use of all. State
aid funds continued. The West
River Road has been designated as
State aid road for this year. Next
| fall should see a substantial amount
of new highway construction on this
road.
Sidewalks
recommend that the policy here
tofore followed of setting aside a
substantial amount for sidewalks not
| only be continued but that a larger
amount than heretofore be set aside
for that purpose. / feel that the con-
struction of granolithic sidewalks
should be particularly encouraged
| There is nothing that adds to the
beauty and comfort of city more
| than well built and well maintained
sidewalks.
Conclusion
l wish to thank the members of
| this Council for their cooperation.
We entered upon our work last jan
| uary more or less as strangers. We
are now friends, serving the same
| master. the City of Augusta. We
ha, NJ To-