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CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
CITY OFFICERS,
MAYOR'S ADDRESS,
AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
TO THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
ERRA
MÁRIQUE
MDCCCLI
FOR THE YEAR 1896,
TOGETHER WITH
CITY OFFICERS, AND MAYOR'S ADDRESS AT THE ORGAN- IZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 4, 1897.
NEWBURYPORT : NEWS PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1897.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE PRINTING COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
OFFICE HOURS.
MAYOR : From II a. m to 12 m.
CITY CLERK : From 9 a. m. to 12 m. ; 2 to 4 p. m. Saturdays, 9 a. m. to 12 m. June, July and August, 8.30 a. m. to I p. m.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR : From 9 a. m. to 12 m .; 2 to 4 p. m. Saturdays, 9 a. m. to I p. m. First Thursday evening after the first Monday, 7 to 9. June, July and August, 8.30 a. m. to I p. m.
CLERK OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR : From 9 a. m. to 12 m. ; 2 to 4 p. m. Saturdays, 9 a. m to 12 m. June, July and August, 8.30 a. m. to I p. m.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS : From 4 to 5 p. m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays ; from 9 a. m. to 10 a. m., Wednesdays and Saturdays.
PAY DAYS.
CITY TREASURER'S OFFICE, CITY HALL, JANUARY, 1897.
Regular weekly pay day, Monday. Monthly pay day, first Thursday after first Monday of each month. Military aid is payable the first day of each month.
Please call on the regular pay day for your money.
JAMES V. FELKER, City Treasurer,
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY.
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, CITY HALL, JANUARY, 1897.
Persons having bills against the city are requested to present them at this office on or before the last Monday of each month.
Charges against the different departments must be made out on sepa- rate bills.
Be careful and note who ordered the article or articles ; and if for labor, where it was performed, and under whose direction, with the proper dates, and approval of person ordering the same.
GEORGE H. STEVENS, City Clerk.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS --- 1896.
MAYOR, ANDREW R. CURTIS. Residence, 274 Merrimac street. Office-City Hall.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN. Ward One.
HENRY J. NOYES 68₺ Bromfield st.
FRANK H. PLUMER ·
Ward Two. 69 Federal street.
Ward Three.
MOODY KIMBALL
27 Temple street.
Ward Four.
PHILIP H. BLUMPEY, JR. .
30 Green street.
Ward Five. CHARLES W. JOHNSON
2 Johnson street.
Ward Six. WILLIAM C. COFFIN
272 High street.
Clerk of Board. GEORGE H. STEVENS.
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
COMMON COUNCIL. JAMES F. CARENS, President.
Ward One.
HENRY W. LITTLE
CHARLES L. PERKINS .
.
45 Purchase street.
10} Bromfield st.
CHARLES H. SHACKFORD .
29 Bromfield st.
Ward Two.
JAMES F. CARENS
4 Milk street.
GEORGE E. THOMPSON
.
37 Lime street.
ALEXANDER G. PERKINS .
15 Horton street.
Ward Three.
CHARLES W. GOODWIN
108 State street.
BENJAMIN P. IRELAND . .
14 Fair street.
ALBERT E. FOWLER
.
5 Essex street.
Ward Four.
ABRAHAM A. CRABTREE .
WILLIAM MCKAY .
35 Winter street. 65 Merrimac st.
JOHN H. GILMAN
33 Boardman st.
Ward Five.
ANDREW J. CASEY
·
8₺ Buck street. 16 Dove street.
JERE HEALEY
GEORGE S. CATE .
7 Carter street.
Ward Six.
JOHN C. STANLEY
SAMUEL G. WILLIAMS .
GEORGE B. GREATON
248 High street. 27 Ashland street. 18 N. Atkinson st.
Clerk of the Council. THOMAS E. CUTTER.
7
CITY GOVERNMENT.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
FINANCE - Mayor, ex officio; Alderman Plumer, Councilmen Healey, Little, Stanley, Crabtree and Ireland.
ACCOUNTS - Aldermen Blumpey and Johnson; Councilmen Greaton, Thompson and Cate.
PUBLIC PROPERTY - Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Noyes, Coffin and Kimball; Councilmen C. L. Perkins, A. G. Perkins, Fowler, Gil- man, Casey and Greaton.
ALMSHOUSE AND POOR -Aldermen Johnson and Blumpey; Councilmen Healey, A. G. Perkins, Ireland and Williams.
FIRE DEPARTMENT -Aldermen Noyes, Coffin and Kimball ; Councilmen Healey, Crabtree, Goodwin and Shackford.
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS- Aldermen Noyes and Johnson ; Councilmen Ireland, Mckay and Cate.
SAWYER FUND-Alderman Noyes; Councilmen Casey and Gilman. BROWN FUND -Alderman Blumpey; Councilmen Crabtree and Cate. TODD FUND -"Alderman Noyes; Councilmen Thompson and Stanley.
DEXTER AND ATWOOD FUND -Mayor, ex officio ; Treasurer, ex officio ; President Carens, ex officio.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION - Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Johnson and Kim- ball ; President Carens, ex officio; Councilmen Williams, Thompson, Mckay and Goodwin.
CLAIMS - Aldermen Plumer and Johnson; Councilmen Little, C. L. Perkins and Stanley.
ORDINANCES - Mayor, ex officio; Councilmen Goodwin and Shackford. HIGHWAYS - Mayor, ex officio; Board of Aldermen ; Councilmen Little, Thompson, Ireland, Crabtree, Healey and Williams.
FUEL-Aldermen Coffin and Johnson; Councilmen Stanley, Thompson and Goodwin.
LIGHTING STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS - Aldermen Kimball and Blumpey ; Councilmen Casey, Goodwin and Greaton.
S
ANNUAL REPORTS.
PRINTING -Alderman Blumpey ; Councilmen C. L. Perkins and Casey. WATER SUPPLY-Aldermen Johnson and Blumpey; Councilmen C. L. Perkins, Healey and Little.
SEWERAGE -Aldermen Johnson and Coffin ; Councilmen A. G. Perkins, Fowler and Cate.
. JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
MAYOR'S ADDRESS -Aldermen Noyes and Plumer; Councilmen Fowler, Goodwin and Crabtree.
SALARIES-Aldermen Coffin and Blumpey ; Councilmen Ireland, C. L. Perkins and Stanley.
MANUFACTURING AND TRADES - Aldermen Noyes, Blumpey and John- son; Councilmen Little, A. G. Perkins, Fowler, Crabtree, Healey and Stanley.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
POLICE - Mayor, ex officio ; Aldermen Johnson and Noyes.
ELECTIONS -Aldermen Blumpey, Johnson and Kimball. BROMFIELD FUND -Aldermen Plumer, Kimball and Coffin. PUTNAM AND ATKINSON FUND - Aldermen Noyes, Blumpey and John- son.
LICENSES -Aldermen Kimball, Plumer and Noyes. ENROLLED BILLS-Aldermen Johnson, Noyes and Blumpey. FROTHINGHAM FUND -Aldermen Plumer, Kimball and Coffin. GREEN FUND-Aldermen Blumpey, Noyes and Johnson. TOPPAN FUND -Aldermen Coffin, Kimball and Plumer. ABRAHAM WILLIAMS FUND-Aldermen Blumpey, Noyes and Coffin. W. O. MOSELEY FUND -Aldermen Blumpey, Coffin and Noyes. STATE AID, MILITARY AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF -Aldermen Kimball, Blumpey and Johnson.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS-Councilmen Goodwin, Stanley and Mckay. ENROLLED BILLS - Councilmen Little, Greaton and Ireland.
BILLS OF SECOND READING - Councilmen Williams, Gilman and Cate.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ANDREW R. CURTIS, [Mayor, ] Chairman, ex officio. ALBERT W. HITCHCOCK, Vice-Chairman, 298 High street. WILLIAM P. LUNT, Supt. and Sec., · Office at City Hall.
ROBERT G. ALLEN, Truant Officer, TWO YEARS.
II South Pond st.
Ward One.
EDWARD OSGOOD, [term expires 1898] . 49 Purchase street. WILLIAM T. HUMPHREYS [term expires 1897] 56 Purchase street.
Ward Two.
CHARLES W. POORE, [term expires 1898]. . 65 Prospect street. PRENTISS H. REED, [term expires 1897] . 55 Lime street.
Ward Three.
GEORGE H. PLUMER, [term expires 1898] . 93 High street. GEORGE E. L. NOYES, [term expires 1897] IOI State street.
Ward Four.
GEORGE W. WORCESTER, [term expires 1898] 124 High street. SAMUEL C. BEANE, [term expires 1897] 6 Harris street. Ward Five.
HENRY B. LITTLE, [term expires 1898] · 215 High street.
OLIVER B. MERRILL, [term expires 1897] · Monroe street. Ward Six.
PAUL A. MERRILL, [term expires 1898] . 24 Tyng street. 298 High street.
ALBERT W. HITCHCOCK, [term expires 1897]
2
IO
ANNUAL REPORTS.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
CLARENCE C. DAY, M. D., (City Physician,) ex-officio. TERM TWO YEARS. JOHN E. BAILEY, Chairman, (term expires 1897) 6 Kent street. ARTHUR WITHINGTON, (term expires 1898) 206 High street. Agent of the Board.
GEORGE W. KNIGHT, Parker street. Clerk of the Board. AMOS H. GEARY, (Office : City Hall) 36 Prospect st.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS. (Office : City Hall.) TERM THREE YEARS.
AMOS H. GEARY, Chairman, (term expires '98) 36 Prospect st. Jos. L. JOHNSON, Secretary, (term expires '96) 27 Wash'n st. J. OTIS WINKLEY, (term expires 1897) · Parker street.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. ANDREW R. CURTIS, (Mayor) Chairman, ex-officio. TERMS THREE YEARS. L. W. SARGENT, Vice-Ch. (term expire '97) 280 High street. LAWRENCE W. BROWN, (term expires 1898) 20 Fruit street. JOHN C. STEVENS, (term expires 1896) 2 Madison st. Clerk of Overseers of the Poor. WILLIAM H. BAYLEY, (Office : City Hall) . 63 Bromfield st.
II
CITY GOVERNMENT.
BOARD OF REGISTRARS.
GEORGE H. STEVENS, (City Clerk) ex officio 37 Kent street. TERM THREE YEARS. NATH'L GREELEY, Ch., (term expires '98) 37 Marlboro st.
LUTHER CARTER, (term expires 1897) . II Kent street.
BENJAMIN G. DAVIS, (term expires 1899)
I Horton st.
Sinking Fund Commissioners. Andrew R. Curtis (Mayor) ex-orficio.
James F. Carens, (President of the Common Council) ex-officio.
William H. Welch, (City Auditor) ex-officio.
Charles C. Dame, (term expires 1896.)
Philip H. Lunt, (term expires 1897.)
Treasurer and Clerk-James V. Felker, (City Treasurer.)
Trustees of Simpson Fund. Andrew R. Curtis (Mayor), ex officio.
James F. Carens (President of Common Council), ex officio.
Thomas C. Simpson (term expires 1897.)
Charles C. Dame (term expires 1898.)
Eliphalet Griffin (term expires 1896.)
Treasurer and Clerk-James V. Felker (City Treasurer.)
Board of Park Commissioners.
TERM THREE YEARS. Andrew R. Curtis (Mayor), ex officio.
James F. Carens (President of the Common Council), ex officio. Orrin J. Gurney (term expires 1898.)
Eliphalet Griffin (term expires 1896.)
Charles C. Stockman (term expires 1897.)
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Commissioners of Atkinson Common. Andrew R. Curtis (Mayor), ex officio.
James F. Carens (President of Common Council), ex officio.
Alvah Hoyt (term expires 1899).
Eliphalet Griffin (term expires 1897).
Orlando F. Hatch (term expires IS98).
Water Commissioners.
Nathaniel Appleton (term expires 1900).
John N. Pike (term expires 1899).
Charles C. Dame (term expires 1898).
Charles H. Sargent (term expires 1897).
Albert W. Greenleaf (term expires 1901).
Liquor License Commissioners.
Moses Brown, chairman and secretary (term expires 1900).
George Perry Sargent (term expires 1898).
Jacob True Rowe (term expires 1896).
City Clerk.
George H. Stevens 37 Kent street. Office : City Hall. Clerk of City Clerk-George F. Poor.
City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes.
James V. Felker 12 Harris street. Office : City Hall. Clerk of City Treasurer-Joseph M. Greenough, Jr.
William H. Welch. City Auditor.
Office : First National Bank. 14 Harris street.
13
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Robert E. Burke
City Solicitor. Office : 76 State street. -
. 49 High street.
Frank H. Rundlett
City Messenger. Office : City Hall.
78 Federal street.
William P. Lunt
Superintendent of Schools. Office : City Hall.
19 Pond street.
Superintendent of Highways.
Charles M. Pritchard 17 Atwood street. Office : Basement of Armory Building.
Superintendent of Sewers.
Francis Curtis
3 Park street.
Clarence C. Day
City Physician. IO Washington street.
Chief Engineer Fire Department.
Hiram H. Landford 20 Purchase street.
Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph.
Orrin J. Welch
10 Otis Place.
Librarian Public Library. John D. Parsons
236 High street. Office : Public Library.
Superintendent Public Reading Room.
Martha P. Lunt
19 Pond street.
14
ANNUAL REPORTS.
NEWBURYPORT POLICE FORCE.
City Marshal.
John F. Gardiner Office : Central Police Station.
Assistant Marshal. Simon E. Wilson.
Captain of the Watch. Patrick Creedon.
Asa W. Emerson,
Day Officers.
Frank L. Lattime, Lemuel Hicken.
Night Patrolmen.
Henry C. Tate,
George W. Lattime.
William H. Pike,
William Gillis.
John L. McLean, James W. Merritt. Charles W. Wells.
Constables.
Patrick Creeden, Moses P. Towne,
Frank H. Rundlett,
Joseph M Tappan,
Simon E. Wilson, Samuel W. Tuck.
Inspector of Building's. Hiram H. Landford.
--
Inspector of Animals and Provisions. George W: Knight.
Harbor Master. George W. Mckay.
- --
Sealer of Weights and Measures. Amos H. Geary. Office : City Hall.
Seth Young, William E. Young, Joseph H. Post,
15
CITY GOVEREMENT.
Moses H. Rolfe,
Measurers of Grain. Charles B. Knight,
Frank W. Landford.
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar. George W. Knight, Office : City Hall.
Amos H. Geary,
Gaugers. William S. Coffin, Hiram P. Macintosh
Surveyors of Lumber.
George E. Currier,
William B. Coffin,
William H. Morse,
John C. Kimball,
Charles L. Perkins, Gideon C. Webster,
Orlando F. Hatch
Thomas F. Corey, Edward Perkins,
Leonard W. Sargent,
Chas. W. H. Jackman, Alex. G. Perkins,
Edgar Ross,
Ezra Lunt, Joseph Langevin.
Weighers of Coal, Hay and Other Merchandise.
Charles W. Nelson,
Edward Donahue, Jr.,
William S. Coffin,
Harry W. Bayley,
Lawrence Whalen,
John J. Collins, James Conley,
Fred L. Atkinson,
Jere Healey, Edward E. Varinia,
Fred B. Fanning,
Fred L. Macintosh, James Joy, Walter E. Atkinson,
William Conley, Ainos H. Geary,
John L. Noyes,
Stephen P. Bray,
Alonzo C. Pearson,
John Collins,
Joseph L. Jacoby,
Jackson Greenaway, Rudolph Jacoby,
John H. Balch, Jr., Edward Donahue.
Leonard W. Coker,
Frank A. Bray,
Field Drivers.
Jeremiah S. Parker, Nathan A. Massey.
16
ANNUAL REPORTS
Pound Keepers.
Pound No. 1-Auburn street
Pound No. 2-Wesley street
Timothy Maroney.
· John R. Silloway.
Measurers of Wood and Bark.
John H. Balch, Jr.,
Fred L. Atkinson, John Collins,
John L. Noyes,
Fred B. Fanning, John J. Collins,
Jere Healey,
William S. Coffin, William Noyes,
Stephen P. Bray,
Frank A. Bray, Charles A. Pearson.
Charles W. Nelson,
C. W. H. Jackman,
Jackson Greenaway,
Joseph Woods.
Measurers of Charcoal.
Fred L. Atkinson,
John H. Balch, Jr., John L. Noyes,
Stephen P. Bray, Jere Healey, William S. Coffin.
Weighers and Measurers of City Fuel.
Amos H. Geary, Charles W. Nelson, William S. Coffin, Edward Donahue.
Leonard W. Coker,
Inspector of Coal Baskets. Amos H. Geary, Office : City Hall.
-
Fence Viewers.
George W. Langdon, Isaac W. Little,
William B. Coffin.
Measurer of Upper Leather.
Luther Carter.
17
CITY GOVERNMENT.
MEETINGS.
CITY COUNCIL. FIRST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
LAST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH.
OVERSEERS. OF THE POOR.
LAST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH.
REGULAR COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
Commencing with last Monday of each month.
Monday evening - School Committee; Lighting Streets, etc .; Bridges and Culverts ; Overseers of the Poor.
Tuesday evening - Public Property.
Wednesday evening - Highways; Police.
Thursday evening - Fire Department; Sewerage; Printing.
Friday evening - Accounts.
First Thursday evening after first Monday each month - State Aid, Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief.
3
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 1896.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
HON. ANDREW R. CURTIS. OF
Gentlemen of the City Council:
In assuming the duties and responsibilities of this office, I do so with feelings of profound gratitude for the high honor conferred, and I trust you will aid and assist me in making this, our administration, a suc- cess, and one that will fully meet with the hopes and expectations of those who have intrusted to us the interests and welfare of our city.
At no period in the history of our city would our acts have been more carefully scrutinized, our abili- ties as public servants more severely tested, than during the ensuing year.
It therefore becomes us to be more careful and guarded in dealing with all questions or measures which involve the expenditure of the people's money ; to be more economical and judicious in making our appropriations, and to expend the same only for that
2I
22
ANNUAL REPORTS.
which is a public necessity, and in accordance with a firm resolve not to exceed or overdraw.
While this involves for us cares, responsibilities and a strict attention to business, yet if we are suc- cessful, our reward will be the approval and appre- ciation of our services by the people.
FINANCE.
As the financial statement for the year ending De- cember 21, 1895, has been published in our local pa- pers, and is now before you subject to your perusal, it is needless for me to again repeat it in detail. The overdraft by this statement appears to be $10,- 119.12. This is exclusive of several outstanding bills which should have been presented and paid.
The net decrease of debt appears to be $18,510.57. The overdraft does not seem to affect the showing made in the decrease of the city debt, but is carried over to be provided for by the succeeding adminis- tration when the appropriations are made. To state it briefly it will be as follows:
An overdraft of $10,119.12, plus the amount rep- resented by outstanding bills to be deducted from future appropriations. The remainder being the sum with which the city's business is to be trans- acted.
23
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
You will further notice in this statement, that 13 shares of the Boston & Maine stock have been sold, for which was received $2,338.37. The sum has been applied to the reduction of the city debt. The balance of the Boston & Maine stock on hand is 411 shares, which if sold whenever the city could by so doing recover its original investment, would reduce the debt $71,661.63. I would submit that this should be done, as in my judgment it is both unsafe and unwise to hold this stock for speculative purposes.
HIGHWAYS AND SIDEWALKS.
This department has for a number of years largely overdrawn its appropriations. The needed improve- ments that have been made upon our streets may have justified, to a certain extent, these overdrafts ; but that there is a chance to effect a saving of the public money by correcting several abuses known, is apparent to all.
One thing in particular to which I wish to call your attention, is the unusual activity displayed upon our highways by the employment of a large number of men and teams a week or two prior to our city elections; work being immediately suspended there- after.
24
ANNUAL REPORTS.
I would respectfully submit that quite a saving could be made by systematically doing this work earlier in the season, when the ground is more plia- ble, and when by the application of less labor, the same, if not greater results, could be accom- plished.
There have, however, been many needed im- provements made upon our highways during the past year; the more noticeable one was the macad- amizing of Water street. The former condition of this street and the commercial uses made of the same, fully justified the expenses incurred. In ma- king future improvements I would suggest that they be confined to those thoroughfares which are most frequently used and where the public convenience can be best subserved.
SIDEWALKS.
The improvement of sidewalks during the past three years has been exceedingly burdensome. The extreme difficulty in collecting, and the numerous applications for relief from the assessments levied, furnish sufficient evidence of this fact.
The amount expended during the above named period is $37,855.03, one-half of which, $18,927.50,
25
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
has been assessed upon the abutters; there remains uncollected, $5,846.38.
In view of the great amount of work accom- plished, I would recommend that no more enforced im- provement be made during the ensuing year than is absolutely necessary.
POLICE.
Complaints against this department have been so frequently made as to attract the attention of the public and cause a general demand for a change. How to make this change and to so reorganize this department as to insure that needed discipline which is so essential to the peace and good order of the community, presents to us a problem which is not easy to solve.
Were I to be asked the question, what change could be made that would be productive of the best results, without hesitation the answer would be: the selection of a man to be city marshal who would fearlessly enforce the law, and by his deportment and character command the respect and esteem of his subordinates.
In my endeavors to select such a man I find that the choice is limited after all, to the very few who apply; for those who are in every way qualified to
3
26
ANNUAL REPORTS.
discharge the duties of this office cannot be pre- vailed upon to accept it. Under these trying cir- cumstances I must select one from the few, who is not the " ideal man," but the one who will discharge his duties more acceptably than either of the others.
In making changes in the subordinate positions in this department, to improve the service, we also meet with other obstacles that make it extremely difficult to effect the desired change. Not only must we observe the civil service act in our selections, but we are more especially enjoined to comply with the requirements of the veterans' preferment act, recently become law.
Under the civil service act applicants for the po- lice must pass a mental and physical examination, and must not be under 22 years of age nor over 40. Under the veterans' act a veteran of the late war, who has been honorably discharged therefrom, is not required to pass even a physical examination, and regardless of his fitness or age, his name is placed at the head of the list, and must be preferred to one who is not a veteran.
I dwell upon this subject longer than I would were it not that many of our citizens expect to see changes by removals, but do not realize that under the act heretofore mentioned, such changes cannot be
27
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
made without seriously impairing the efficiency of the force.
The discipline of this department can, no doubt, even under these adverse circumstances, be greatly improved by a reorganization, and with the advice and consent of the board of aldermen, this shall be accomplished.
WATER QUESTION.
The ten years having elapsed, when under the act of 1880 the city was given the option of purchasing the water plant, this question was presented to the people. Since that time it has in various phases oc- cupied their attention to the exclusion of other im- portant municipal affairs.
It is now being tried before a commission ap- pointed by the supreme judicial court; the evidence to be offered by the city, and the arguments of coun- sel will soon be concluded. The award will be a matter of conjecture for some time yet to come, and until this is rendered will be a source of deep concern to our citizens.
But in the meantime the people can rely upon this fact: That the case has been well and ably presented to a commission composed of members who have acquired distinguished reputations for honor and
28
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ability in their professions, and who will not favor either party, but will return an award in accordance with the evidence and facts presented.
But should the award be considered by legal au- thorities excessive, the necessary steps shall be taken to protect the city's interests.
PARKS.
During the past few years considerable attention has been given to the development of our parks, and with but one exception they have been greatly im- proved and now present a fine appearance, adding much to the natural beauties of our city.
The park, or common, situated at the north end on the line of the street railway, and known as " At- kinson Common," containing some thirteen acres of land, was given to the city on condition that it be accepted and used as a common.
As nothing was done by the city authorities to improve it, in compliance with the expressed or im- plied wish of the devisor, a few of our public spirit- ed citizens, with ladies, formed a society about two years ago, for that purpose. By giving entertain- ments and by contributions from which they have already realized and expended upon it enough in making such improvements, to demonstrate that
29
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
when completed, in accordance with a plan prepared by them, it will be the finest park in this section of the state. I would therefore, in order to afford our citizens an opportunity to have a place for recrea- tion and pleasure, recommend that a small sum of money be appropriated annually, to be expended by the commissioners of "Atkinson Common," in completing these improvements in accordance with said plan.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The expense of this department has been largely increased, owing to a requirement by the underwri- ters to keep and maintain at the Central Fire Station an extra pair of horses and one permanent fire- man. It was deemed advisable to comply with the same to prevent a large increase in the rates of in- surance.
The machines and appliances used in the extin- guishment of fires are in good order, and with the exception of the purchase of 500 feet of hose, which is needed, will not necessitate the expending of any unusual amount for repairs.
The discipline and the promptness in response to an alarm of fire is as noticeable as ever and contrib- utes much to the feeling of security and confidence
30
ANNUAL REPORTS.
the people have in the ability of our firemen to suc- cessfully cope with a conflagration.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
The legislature of 1895 passed an act, allowing the city to increase its indebtedness $10,000, for the purpose of building a school house.
As the committee were divided in their opinions as to the location and the building needed to relieve the congested condition of our schools, it was not constructed. Whether we shall be asked to provide the means this year, I am unable to say.
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