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CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
THE
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
AT THE
ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
AND THE
TREASURER'S ANNUAL REPORT ;
TOGETHER WITH THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 20, 1879.
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
MARIQUL
TERRA MDCCCLI
Published by order of the City Council. ʻ
NEWBURYPORT : WILLIAM H. HUSE & Co., PRINTERS, NO. 42 STATE STREET. 1880.
1
CONTENTS.
City Government, 1880,
Page. 5
Standing Committees,
7
Subordinate Officers,
9
Ward Officers,
10
Mayor's Address,
13
Report of City Treasurer.
34
Report of Collector of Taxes, 36
Condensed Statement of Receipts and Expenditures for 1879,
38
Quarterly Reports, in detail, of Receipts and Expenditures for 1879, 53
Tabulated Statement of Appropriations, Income and Expenditures for municipal purposes, in 1879, 137
Total Tax, Income and Expenditures for 1879, 138
Statement of City Debt, 139
Statement of Account with State of Massachusetts, . 140 141
of Uncollected Taxes and Other Available Assets,
Report of Sinking Fund Commissioners,
141 148
on Bromfield Fund,
on Sawyer Fund,
146 147
66 on Brown Fund,
66 on Putnam Fund,
66 on Atkinson Fund,
of Commissioners of Atkinson Common,
66 of Committee on Bridges and Culverts,
66 of Chief Engineer, 152
66 of City Marshal, 160
of Overseers of the Poor, .
162
of Board of Health,
169
.
145 146
66 on Atwood Fund,
147 148 148 150 151
Schedule of Public Property, Report on Follansbee Fund,
.
CITY GOVERNMENT. 1880.
MAYOR: JOHN JAMES CURRIER.
ALDERMEN:
WARD 1 .- ALBERT CHEEVER
2 .- JOHN WOODWELL.
3 .- WILLIAM H. NOYES.
66 4 .- ARTHUR C. RICHARDSON.
5 .- J. OTIS WINKLEY.
- 6 .- JOHN P. EVANS.
Clerk of Board of Aldermen, GEORGE H. STEVENS.
COMMON COUNCIL:
WILLIAM A. DAVIS, President. THOMAS E. CUTTER, Clerk.
Ward 1. NATHANIEL GREELEY, WILLIAM B. PORTER, RUFUS ADAMS. Ward 2. WILLIAM HOLKER, ' WILLIAM C. PLUMMER, DANIEL B. WHITING. Ward 3. WILLIAM A. DAVIS, WILLARD J. HALE, HENRY B. LITTLE.
Ward 4. JAMES V. FELKER, THOMAS H. DAVIS, FRANK W. HALE. Ward 5. HARRISON G. JOHNSON, JR., WILLIAM R. JOHNSON, DANIEL W. CATE. Ward 6. WILLIAM E. McQUILLEN, WILLIAM H. WHITMORE, JR., ISRAEL A. MORSE.
City Clerk, GEORGE H. STEVENS. Treasurer and Collector, GEORGE W. PIPER. Treasurer's Clerk, WILLIAM P. DAME.
6
CITY GOVERNMENT.
r City Solicitor, JOHN N. PIKE. City Auditor, ;
City Messenger, JOSEPH M. TAPPAN.
Assessors, CHAS. J. BROCKWAY, CHAS. C. DONNELL, GEO. W.[JACKMAN, JR.
School Committee,
Ward 1 .- ISAAC P. NOYES, Ward 4 .- CHARLES L. DAVIS,
FRANK A. HALE.
HARRISON G. JOHNSON.
Ward 2. - THOMAS C. SIMPSON, JR. Ward 5 .- AMOS NOYES,
STEPHEN COLLINS. ALVAH B. DEARBORN.
Ward 3 .- JOHN F. YOUNG, Ward 6 .- CHARLES A. CURRIER,
DAVID T. WOODWELL. JAMES A. MERRILL.
Chief Engineer of Fire Department, CHARLES H. GOODWIN. Superintendent of Streets, D. CLARK BATCHELDER. Overseers of the Poor,
JONATHAN KENISTON, CHARLES NOYES, FRANCIS W. PUTNAM.
Clerk of Overseers of Poor, WILLIAM H. BAYLEY.
Librarian of Public Library, HIRAM A. TENNEY.
Superintendent of Reading Room, HANNAH E. LUNT.
WARREN CURRIER, HENRY M. CROSS, DR. GEO. W. SNOW.
Clerk of Board of Health, GEORGE H. STEVENS. City Physician, DR. GEORGE W. SNOW. City Marshal, CHARLES H. DE ROCHEMONT.
Assistant Marshal, SAMUEL W. TUCK. .
Captain of Watch, JOHN W. SARGENT.
JOHN G. GOVE,
Night Watchmen, ALBERT D. HALE, DANIEL RYAN,
JAMES STANTON,
JACOB P. TORREY, MOSES P. TOWNE.
Special Night Patrol
IRA F. H. BLAKE, CHARLES W. PAGE.
Day Officer, EDWARD E. TAYLOR. Constables,
CHARLES H. DE ROCHEMONT,
SAMUEL W. TUCK,
EDWARD E. TAYLOR, JOSEPH M. TAPPAN.
Board of Health,
COMMITTEES.
-
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
On Police, MAYOR, ex-officio; Aldermen WINKLEY and EVANS.
On Elections, Aldermen CHEEVER, WOODWELL, and NOYES.
Atwood and Brown Funds, Aldermen WOODWELL, EVANS, and CHEEVER.
Pntnam and Atkinson Funds, Aldermen NOYES, CHEEVER, and WOODWELL.
Bromfield Fund, Aldermen EVANS, NOYES, and CHEEVER.
Follansbee Fund, MAYOR and BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Licenses, Aldermen WINKLEY, NOYES, and WOODWELL.
Enrolled Bills, Aldermen NOYES, WOODWELL, and CHEEVER.
SRANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL.
On Elections and Returns. Councilmen W. R. JOHNSON, ADAMS, and WHITING.
8
CITY GOVERNMENT.
On Bills of Second Reading. Councilmen MORSE, ADAMS, and HOLKER.
On Enrolled Bills, Councilmen F. W. HALE, WHITMORE, and GREELEY.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES.
On Finance, MAYOR, ex-officio, Alderman WOODWELL; Councilmen McQUILLEN, GREELEY, PLUMMER, F. W. HALE, and LITTLE.
On Accounts, Aldermen RICHARDSON and,CHEEVER; Councilmen FELKER, H. G. JOHNSON, JR., and McQUILLEN.
On Public Property, Aldermen EVANS and CHEEVER; Councilmen H. G. JOHNSON, JR., W. J. HALE, and GREELEY.
On Highways, MAYOR, ex-officio, BOARD OF ALDERMEN; Councilmen WHITMORE, W. R. JOHNSON, T. H. DAVIS, W. J. HALE, PLUMMER, and PORTER.
On Fire Department, Aldermen WINKLEY, WOODWELL, and NOYES ; Councilmen PORTER, CATE, HOLKER, and MORSE.
On Bridges and Culverts, Aldermen EVANS, and WOODWELL; Councilmen LITTLE, MORSE, and |WHITING.
On Lighting Streets, Aldermen WOODWELL and NOYES; Councilmen GREELEY, T. H. DAVIS, and LITTLE.
On Claims. Aldermen EVANS and WINKLEY; Councilmen HOLKER, H. G. JOHNSON, JR., and WHITMORE.
On Fuel, Aldermen NOYES and CHEEVER; Councilmen W. J. HALE, MORSE, and F. W. HALE.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT.
On Ordinances, MAYOR, ex-officio, Councilmen ADAMS and CATE.
On Alm House and Poor, Aldermen CHEEVER and RICHARDSON; Councilmen PLUMMER, H. G. JOHNSON, JR., PORTER, HOLKER, and WHITMORE.
On Public Instruction, MAYOR, ex-officio, Aldermen NOYES and WINKLEY; Councilmen President DAVIS, ex-officio; FELKER. W. R. JOHNSON, and MORSE.
On Printing, Alderman RICHARDSON; Councilmen CATE and W. J. HALE.
On Sawyer Fund, Alderman WOODWELL; Councilmen McQUILLEN and FELKER,
Clerk of Committees-GEORGE H. STEVENS.
SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.
THE MAYOR, ex officio ; PRESIDENT OF THE COMMON COUNCIL, ex officio ; CITY TREASURER, ex officio ;
EBEN SUMNER,
EDWARD A. MOSELEY.
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS - 1880.
SURVEYORS OF LUMBER,
John T. Fillmore, George W. Marston, William E. McQuillen, Henry Stover, Hervey Kimball
Joseph L. Johnson, Edward Perkins, Amos Pettingell, W B. Coffin, Walte S. Morse,
William Thurston, jr., Geo. W. Jackman, jr., Charles S. Lovejoy, John W. S. Colby, Sewell W. Morse. 2
10
CITY GOVERNMENT.
William S. Coffin, Philip Creasey, Nicholas Varina,
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK, Hervey Kimball, James V. Felker.
George W. Varina, William Noyes, Amos Coffin.
MEASURERS OF CHARCOAL, Hervey Kimball, Charles R. Sargent.
WEIGHERS AND MEASURERS OF CITY FUEL,
Hervey Kimball,
George J. George, Stephen Coker.
MEASURERS OF GRAIN,
Paul Titcomb, Hale Knight, Joseph Knight, Cornelius Shea.
INSPECTOR OF MILK, Charles R. Sargent.
GUAGERS,
Charles W. Hale,
William E. Currier,
Philip C. Mason.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, Charles R. Sargent.
WEIGHERS OF COALS, HAY, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE,
Stephen Coker,
George J. George,
Edward H. George,
Amos Coffin,
Henry M. Cross,
George W. Varina,
Charles C. Stockman,
William S. Coffin,
George C. Perkins,
Samuel Somerby,
James V. Felker,
Leander H. Greenlaw,
William Noyes,
Philip Creasey,
Nicholas Varina,
John J. Foley,
Oliver T. Littlefield,
George M. Page,
Hiram Watts.
INSPECTOR OF CHARCOAL BASKETS. Charles R. Sargent.
FENCE VIEWERS.
Hervey Kimball,
William H. Whitmore, John A. Cooper.
FIELD DRIVERS.
Mark W. Foye, Thomas Coffey, Charles W. Merrill,
Jemes W. Welch,
William Stickney,
Thomas G. Dodge. Augustus Safford.
Nicholas W. Bartlett.
POUND KEEPERS. James Atwood, Pound No. 1, Auburn st., Luther Ordway. Pound No. 2 Wesley st
COMMON CRIER. Enoch C. Flanders.
INSPECTOR OF COAL OIL. John Huse.
FISH WARDEN, John F. Lee.
11
CITY GOVERNMENT.
WARD OFFICERS.
WARD ONE .- Warden, J. H. Young ; Clerk, H. H. Landford ; Inspectors, Alph- eus G. Knight, Thomas Humphreys, Oliver P. Townsend.
WARD Two .- Warden, S. J. Ford ; Clerk. Samuel K. Gilman ; Inspectors, C. I. Marsh, William H. Noyes, jr., Isaac Poor, jr.
WARD THREE .- Warden, Chas. J. Brockway ; Clerk, Geo. E. Donnell ; Inspec- tors, Alonzo R. Nutter, J. M. W. Clement, Chas. N. Safford.
WARD FOUR .- Warden, William J. Creasey ; Clerk, Wm. S. Goodwin ; Inspec- tors, Sam E. Sargent, Wm. H. T. Dodge, Wm. H. Welch.
WARD FIVE .-- Warden, Luther Carter ; Clerk, Geo. A. Pearson ; Inspectors, Chas. J. Cutter, R. H. Hooper, Martin M. Woods.
WARD SIX .- Warden, James Anderson ; Clerk, Frank C. Delano ; Inspectors, Eugene F. Lee, James W. Nason, George F. Gowen.
ADDRESS
OF
HON. JOHN JAMES CURRIER,
MAYOR.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :
The duties and the responsibilities of the various municipal offices to which we have been elected, by the legal voters of the city of Newburyport, now rest upon us. We have solemnly pledged ourselves, be- fore these witnesses, to a faithful and impartial dis- charge of these duties. The lessons that the Scrip- tures teach have been read for our admonition, and the blessing of Almighty God has been invoked upon our labors. It now devolves upon us to take up the burdens we have voluntarily assumed, and so acquit ourselves in the work that when our brief term of official service shall have expired it may be said of us that we have been faithful to the trusts confided to our care.
3
14
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
To promote the welfare and happiness of our con- stituents will require a careful and patient investiga- tion of many important questions that affect their daily lives. In order that you may enter upon the work wisely and discreetly, I desire to place before you a brief statement of the present condition of the various departments of the public service.
THE CITY DEBT.
The first subject of importance to which your at- tention is called is the outstanding indebtedness of the city.
December 21, 1878, the permanent loan amounted to $523,828 87
There was due, also, to sundry accounts. 4,148 04
Making the total gross debt. $527,976 91
At the close of the last financial year, December 20, 1879,
The funded debt was .. $462,100 00
There was due to sundry accounts 2,056 21
Total gross debt, December 20, 1879. $464,156 21
This reduction has been made by a re-adjustment of the permanent loan, and by drafts on the sinking fund commissioners for the payment of those notes falling due during the year. The net debt December 21, 1878, after deducting sinking fund, uncollected taxes, and other available assets, amounted to $399,- 322.54; and December 20, 1879, after making the same deductions, it was $390,075.34, which is a re- duction of $9,247.20 during the last municipal year.
15
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The rate of interest on all notes outstanding has also been reduced, thus saving annually to the city the sum of five thousand dollars; the payment of in- terest requiring $31,223.26 in 1878, while the sum needed for the same purpose in 1880 will be $26,228.
CITY AUDITOR.
The committee on finance are authorized and di- rected, by an ordinance of the city approved October 15, 1869, to examine and audit the treasurer's ac- counts at the close of the municipal year, and report the condition of the same to the city council. This work is performed in a very unsatisfactory manner. A more thorough and careful investigation is needed to faithfully protect the interests of the city. The services of a competent and experienced accountant, who can devote at least one day in every week to the examination of the books and vouchers of the city treasurer, are required in order to accomplish this result. I, therefore, urgently recommend the passage of an ordinance establishing the office of city auditor and defining his duties. The adoption of this recom- mendation will give additional security in the dis- bursement of the public funds, and secure' to the treasurer a proper acknowledgment that he has hon- estly and faithfully performed the work assigned him.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
The support of the public schools the past year has cost $26,817.73, a reduction of $1,355.67 from
16
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
the previous year. This amount is still much larger, in my judgment, than the public good requires; but, inasmuch as the expenditures of this department are beyond the control of the city council, I will not enter upon a discussion of that question here. Suf- fice it to say that, while I do not advocate an indis- criminate reduction in the salaries of teachers, yet I am convinced that the legal voters of this city demand that the annual appropriation for school purposes shall be diminished. The result of the recent election demonstrates this fact; and I rely upon the wisdom . and prudence of the new board of school committee to bring about the desired reform.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
The gross expenses of the poor department have been $19,772.07 the past year; and the net expenses, which includes the sum appropriated by the city council and the overdrafts paid by the city treasurer, have been $14,893.49. The actual cost, therefore, to the city of Newburyport for the support of the poor in 1879, exclusive of fuel, was only $106.42 less than that paid in 1878. I am informed, however, by the clerk of the board of overseers, who has labored faithfully to lighten the burden of this department, that the present number of families receiving aid is much less than the average for many preceding years. If the policy now entered upon is continued, the saving in expense will soon become apparent to the tax payers. It may be confidently asserted that
17
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
during the past six months the expenditures for the support of the poor have been steadily and con- stantly decreasing.
I would suggest, nevertheless, that action be taken in regard to the supplies furnished to applicants re- siding outside the almshouse. The constantly in- creasing demand upon the city for aid, and the long- established custom of supplying those supposed to be in destitute circumstances with fuel and groceries, has grown to be a serious burden and should be reso- lutely checked or restricted within proper limits. The poor supported in the almshouse are maintained at a reasonable cost; but the saving that might be made in the supplies furnished to individuals residing elsewhere is very great. The present system is an encouragement to indolence, and an injury rather than a benefit to our community. A persistent effort should be made to correct the abuses that have grown up from long years of neglect.
The laws of the commonwealth place the control of the distribution of this partial relief in the hands of the city council. I believe that many thousand dollars can be annually saved to the city if the neces- sary steps are taken to limit the number receiving such aid. Only in exceptional cases should persons entitled to support from the city be granted supplies at their own residences. An inflexible rule should be adopted, allowing the overseers of the poor to furnish temporary relief at their discretion, but the names of persons requiring continuous monthly aid should be
18
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
reported to the city council, and await the concurrent action of both branches of the city government. I, therefore, recommend that the committee on alms- house and poor take this matter into consideration, and report what action is necessary to bring about the desired result. It is especially desirable that some plan should be devised whereby the worthy poor should receive the aid to which they are en- titled, and, at the same time, that the large number of recipients in every street and ward in the city should be diminished.
This measure is brought to your notice at this time in view of the fact that, under the will of the late Rev. William Horton, D. D., the city of Newbury- port will come into possession, during the present municipal year, of nearly twenty thousand dollars, to be devoted to the building of a new almshouse. It is, therefore, in my judgment, the first and imperative duty of the city council, after this bequest is received, to authorize the purchase of fifty or one hundred acres of land suitable for cultivation, not too remote from the centre of the city, and to build thereon a suitable structure, with the necessary apartments for the needy and deserving poor, and separate and dis- tinct wards for the idle and vicious, as well as for the sick and infirm. One room, also, should be reserved for a hospital, to be used in cases where severe accidents or temporary physical disabilities have rendered such accommodations very desirable.
The house should be constructed without any at-
19
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
tempt at architectural display, but supplied with all the modern conveniences, and carefully arranged, to meet the wants of this community. When com- pleted, it will stand -the embodiment of a noble charity - an enduring monument to the beneficence and philanthropy of its kind-hearted donor.
Should these suggestions meet your approval, and a suitable almshouse be erected during the present year, the poor of our city could then be provided for within its walls, and it will no longer be necessary to continue the unsatisfactory system of outside relief, except, perhaps, in a few peculiar cases. The land and buildings owned and occupied by the city on Federal and Prospect streets could be disposed of at private or public sale, and the inmates of the new almshouse, strong and able to work, be usefully em- ployed about the farm, and thus partially assist in their support. The prompt and united action of the city council in support of the measures necessary to accomplish this result will, in my judgment, bring about a practical solution of the question, "How can the annual expenditures of the poor department be materially reduced?"
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
For a full and detailed account of the condition of this department, I refer you to the report of the chief engineer, made to the city council in the month of December last. The cost of maintaining this branch
20
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
of the public service for the past twelve months has been $6,436.11; and an additional sum of $2000 has been expended in the purchase of leather hose. The chief engineer has labored earnestly and faithfully to preserve order and discipline among the members of this department, and his efforts cannot fail to be pro- ductive of good results. Noisy and disorderly gath- erings in the various engine houses of the city cannot be countenanced, nor can unworthy or dishonest con- duct while on duty be allowed. It is necessary, if the high character and reputation of the firemen, as a body, is to be sustained, that offences of this nature should be summarily checked.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The expenditures for the year 1879, in this depart- ment, amounted to the sum of $7,258.18. The regu- " lar force consists of :- the city marshal, assistant mar- shal, captain of the night watch, and one day and six night patrolmen. To this number has been added from time to time, as circumstances seemed to require, special policemen, detailed for some particu- lar line of duty. Although complaint has been made of inefficiency in this department, yet I think it must be conceded that this sweeping criticism cannot be . applied to all its members indiscriminately. It may be that some among the number have neglected their duties and evaded the responsibilities of their office, but others have zealously and persistently labored to
21
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
preserve the public peace. It is impossible, under existing rules and regulations, to promptly remedy acknowledged defects. In reorganizing the force at the beginning of the new year, however, changes may be made that may accomplish this result; but, unless some decided advantages are to be gained by the appointment of new men, I do not consider it wise or prudent to insist upon it. Frequent changes are detrimental to the service; and, although appli- cants for a position on the police force are numerous, but few possess that rare combination of moral and physical courage requisite in a good officer. Discre- tion, energy and fidelity are not always the charac- teristics of those who seek employment in this capacity.
The most serious cause of complaint the past year has been, not that bold and reckless offenders have es- caped punishment, or that noisy demonstrations at night have disturbed the peace and quiet of the city, but rather that an ill-mannered crowd of young and old, of both sexes, have gathered upon State street, and in that immediate vicinity, to the great annoyance of all well-disposed citizens. Although thoughtless and ill-bred, they commit no overt act for which they can be held accountable under the laws of the Com- monwealth, but are none the less a constant source of trouble and complaint. Strenuous efforts will be made to correct this evil in the future, and offenders of good order and decorum will be summarily arrested and dealt with according to law.
4
22
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
A thorough examination has been recently made of the books and pamphlets on the shelves and in the alcoves of the public library building. The number of bound books now in use, of every nature and de- scription, as reported, is 20,609 volumes. Of pam- phlets there are 2084 copies, making the total number of books and pamphlets 22,693. Their condition is generally good, although many of them are much worn by constant use.
The expenses of the library for the past year have amounted to $1340.30. I would recommend that the appropriation for its support be fixed at $1000 and that the income from the dog tax be devoted to this object as heretofore.
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
Extensive repairs will be needed on some of the schoolhouses, and especially upon the interior of the City Hall during the year 1880. It may not be advis- able to complete the work in one year; but it is es- sential for the protection and preservation of the pub- lic property that the repairs should be commenced upon without delay, and, if necessary, that the next city government should be called upon to continue the work. The expenditures in this department for 1879 were $8306.54. Of this sum $3427.59 was paid for hay, grain, and wages of teamsters for the city teams. A carefully prepared statement of the gross
23
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
earnings of these teams for the year shows them to be self-sustaining. The basis of this calculation is $3.50 per day for double teams, including drivers, $2.50 per day for single teams; $12.50 for hauling each steamer to the fire, and $5.00 only in case of a false alarm. These prices are much less than the city has paid when employing private teams for the same service. From this statement it appears that the city teams are entitled to credit for work on
Highways, amounting to. $2860 90
Fire department.
504 60
Poor 66
116 10
Public Property
55 50
Bridges and Culverts
2 00
Atkinson Common
31 50
Fuel department.
21 00
Bromfield fund .
2 60
Total earnings $3594 20
I am of the opinion that a still more favorable re- sult may be reached by the adoption of strict rules and regulations in regard to the employment of team- sters; defining their duties and regulating their pay according to the work performed; full wages being allowed when the teams are in use, and half pay only when for any cause they are unemployed. This would serve as an inducement for prompt and active service. The teams would be kept in condition for all emergencies, and the men anxious and ready for work.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
During the past year the streets in the centre of
24
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
the city, as well as in the suburbs, have been quite ex- tensively repaired, a large number of new crossings laid, 509 square yards of sidewalks bricked, 1170 feet of new edge-stone set, and 500 feet of old edge-stone reset. The cost of repairs on streets in addition to the service rendered by the city teams was $3488.35, and for sidewalks and edge-stone $1342.24. The laying of the stone pavements on Merrimac street, recommended in my last inaugural address, has been accomplished at a cost of $973.85. I would urge the appropriation of a much larger sum the present year for the continuation of this important work. The macadamizing of High street will also demand your attention as a substantial and economical measure of reform. The portion laid near the head of Carter street should be extended, and the city teams when hot otherwise engaged, should be used in hauling the materials necessary to construct a firm and compact road-bed.
LIGHTING STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The amount expended by the committee having charge of this department for the year ending Dec. 1, 1879, was $5617.84. The present number of street lamps is 129 lighted by gas, and 160 lighted by nap- tha; an increase of six during the year. A special contract, with the Newburyport Gas Company, for the gas and naptha consumed, and for the cost of lighting and extinguishing these street lamps, was made for the sum of $4000, which is an average of about four-
25
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
teen dollars per lamp for the year. This price com- pares favorably with the amount paid by other cities in this commonwealth for the same service. I would call your attention, however, to the fact that the num- ber of street lamps in Newburyport is very much arger than other municipalities, of nearly the same extent of territory and population, enjoy. The total number of naptha, oil and gas lamps in Gloucester is 131; Fitchburg, 171; Haverhill, 174; Newburyport, 289. From this comparative statement it will appear that our city is well lighted and that applications for additional lamps should be granted in those cases only where the demand is urgent and imperative.
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