The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1953-06-18

begin work on badly needed major
Improvements in the city, totalling
close to one-half million dollars, that
were not provided for in the 1858
budget, with surplus of only $780,
900, was the question that faced the
Mayor and Council when they met
at a special session at 1000 o'clock
on Monday morning in the City Hall.
Present at the meeting were: May
or WinsloW F. Burhans, Councilmen
James Carl, Ralph Fiery, Roy Knight
and Jacob Vorous Councilman John
Valentine was out of the city,; City
Auditor John K. Baker, III; Super
intendent of the Water Department
Richard c. Wilson; City Engineer
Claude Williams; General Superin-
tendent of the Light Plant R. R.
Daniels; and members of the press.
Mayor Burhans opened the meet
ing with a hard-hitting, down-to-
earth talk in which he pointed out
that the present Mayor and Council
had to operate on a budget set by
their predecessors. When that budget
was adopted, he said, a list was made
of a number of badly needed major
Improvements that were not includ-
ed in the budget, but were to be sub
ject to bond issue of 100000 that
was supposed to be on the 1858 bal
lot. When that proposed bond refer
endum was withdrawn, the present
Mayor and Council had these pro-
jects thrown in their laps, with only
$150,000 with which to complete
them.
The Mayor stated that, in view of
these unpleasant facts, the Council
would have to decide for themselves
which of these projects should be
completed this year. The Mayor, in
his statement to his Council, said
that they were all concerned with
the urgency of these projects, but
some of them would simply have to
wait until next year, when the pres
ent Mayor and Council would be in
the position to set up their own 1854
budget.
Touching on the authority given
the Mayor and Council, under the
Charter, to borrow up to $150,000 in
any given year, Mayor Burhans said
that he didn't want any borrowing
for normal projects, as that power to
borrow $150,000 might have to be
used at any time in case of an emer-
| gency. In this connection he pointed
out that because of the vagaries of
the Potomac River, the need could
arise at any time for the raising of
the dykes at the water plant at Will
| Transport and if that became neceS-
sary (as it did once before) the Dor
rowing limit of $150,000 would be
practically swallowed up in that one
major project.
The Mayor then warned the heads
of all departments of the need for
! the utmost economy in the opera
tons in their departments and said
that he felt sure that he would have
their 100 per cent cooperation. The
| Council then got down to the ques-
ton of what projects could be start
ed with the $150,000 available.
Topping the list was the proposed
rebuilding of two of the turbines in
the municipal light plant In dis
cussing this question, Mr.. Daniels
| told the Mayor and Council that the
light plant could get along very well
with the rebuilding of just one of the
turbines, plus some major repairs on
the second one He further stated
that, due to the terrific backlog of
| orders, the machinery for rebuilding
the turbine, even if it was ordered
that day, would not be received at
the plant before the beginning of
1854 and he asked that the Board of
Public Works be given the authority
to order the necessary equipment
that day, with the understanding
that it would not have to be paid for
until 1854, thus permitting the Mayor
and Council to make provisions for it
in next years budget Mr.. Daniels
pointed out that the only money that
would have to be spent on the job
in 1858 was for engineer fees, which
would not amount to more than
$4,000.
With this understanding the Mayor
and Council voted unanimously to
instruct the Board of Public Works
to proceed with ordering the equip
ment. Mr.. Daniels then pointed out
that the ash tank at the light plant
is in such condition that it needs to
be replaced, and the Mayor and
Council also authorized the sum of
$4,000 for this project.
City Engineer Williams then told
the Council that since March 81, 1858,
work on street and alley improve