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City of Newburyport
OF
CITY
ORT
TERRA MARIO
I
I
M D
Public Library
FOR REFERENCE
NOT TO BE TAKEN FROM THIS ROOM
NEWBURYPORT
Public Library
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
MARIQUI MOCCCLI
FOUNDED 1854
Received
refi
No
974,4512 m96 6AM
19.01
PRESENTED BY
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Boston Public Library
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1
383 8 TERRORYPOUR CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
CITY OFFICERS
MAYOR S ADDRESS
AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
TERRA
MARIQUE
MDCCCLI
TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR THE YEAR
1901
1
NEWBURYPORT: NEWS PUBLISHING CO., PRINTERS, I902.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE PRINTING COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
PAY DAYS.
City Treasurer's Office, City Hall, Į January, 1902.
Regular weekly pay day, Monday. Monthly pay day, first Thurs- day 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, Į January, 1902.
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 separate 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.
OFFICE HOURS.
-
MAYOR-From 9 a. m. to 11.30 a. m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
CITY CLERK-From 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. Saturdays, 9 a. m. to I p. m. CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR-From 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. Satur- days, 9 a. m. to I p. m. First Thursday evening after the first Monday, 7 to 9.
CLERK OF THE 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.
City Government and Officers-1901
MAYOR MOSES BROWN .. Residence-9 Orange street. Office-City Hall.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD-ARTHUR WITHINGTON
Ward One
JOHN W. SARGENT
Ward Two
CLARENCE J. FOGG
Ward Three
13 Federal street
WILLIAM BALCH
Ward Five
ARTHUR WITHINGTON
Ward Six
JOB WESTON
ALFRED PEARSON
2 Jefferson court At Large 253 High street Clerk of Board GEORGE H. STEVENS Assistant Clerk HENRY W. LITTLE
40 ·Milk street
46 Prospect street
LUTHER DAME
Ward Four
4 Washington street
206 High street
6
ANNUAL REPORTS
COMMON COUNCIL
ROBERT G. DODGE, President
Ward One
WILLIAM W. HICKS
13 Union street
SAMUEL R. WELCH .
20 Barton street
FRANKLIN P. KNIGHT
. 13 Bromfield street
Ward Two
WILLIAM B. FROST
.
30 Federal street
JOHN T. LUNT
. 13 Parsons street
JAMES F. SULLIVAN
28 Federal street
Ward Three
ROBERT G. DODGE
71 High street
HUGH HART, jr. .
23 Middle street
ALBERT W. RANTOUL
87 High street
Ward Four
SAMUEL J. HUGHES
PERCY B. JACKSON
CHARLES P. KELLEY
.
42 Washington street . 15612 High street
126 Merrimac street
Ward Five
GEORGE W. HUSSEY
WILLIAM H. O'BRIEN
TIMOTHY HERLIHY
154 Merrimac street
Ward Six
FRANKLIN W. DORR
JOHN M. CHASE BENJAMIN F. STANLEY
54 Warren street 29 Kent street
381 Merrimac street Curzon Road
3 Ashland street
Clerk of Council THOMAS E. CUTTER
7
CITY GOVERNMENT
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FINANCE-The Mayor, ex-officio, Alderman Balch, Councilmen Rantoul, Lunt, Knight, Frost and Jackson.
ACCOUNTS-Aldermen Dame, and Weston, Councilmen Lunt, Kelley and O'Brien.
PUBLIC PROPERTY- Mayor, ex-officio, Aldermen Pearson, Balch and Fogg, Councilmen Knight, Lunt, Rantoul, Jackson, Hussey and Stanley.
ALMSHOUSE AND POOR-Aldermen Dame and Sargent, Councilmen Hussey, Stanley, Hicks, O'Brien and Hart.
FIRE DEPARTMENT-Aldermen Sargent, Weston, Dame and Balch, Councilmen Sullivan, Dorr, Hicks, O'Brien and Hughes.
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS-Aldermen Fogg and Sargent, Councilmen Chase, Frost and Welch.
HIGHWAYS-Mayor, ex-officio, Aldermen Sargent, Fogg, Dame, Balch, Withington, Weston, and Pearson, Councilmen Welch, Frost, Hart, Kelley, Herlihy and Chase.
ORDINANCES-Mayor, ex-officio, Councilmen Herlihy and Hughes. SAWYER FUND-Alderman Dame, Councilmen Welch and Hughes. BROWN FUND-Alderman Weston, Councilmen Hussey and Kelley. TODD FUND-Alderman Pearson, Councilmen Dorr and Hicks.
DEXTER AND ATWOOD FUNDS-Mayor, ex-officio, City Treasurer, ex-officio, President Common Council, ex-officio.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION-Mayor, ex-officio, Aldermen Dame and Fogg, Councilmen, President, ex-officio, "Dorr, Sullivan, Hicks and Rantoul.
CLAIMS-Aldermen Dame and Weston, Councilmen Chase, Sullivan and Hart.
LIGHTING STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS-Aldermen Pearson and Balch, Councilmen Stanley, Sullivan and Knight.
FUEL-Aldermen Fogg and Dame, Councilmen Knight, Jackson and Hussey.
PRINTING-Alderman Balch, Councilmen Welch and Jackson.
WATER SUPPLY-Aldermen Weston and Pearson, Councilmen Rantoul, Herlihy and Hussey.
SEWERAGE-Alderman Dame, Pearson and Fogg, Councilmen Stanley, Sullivan, Kelley and Chase.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS
JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEE
SALARIES -- Aldermen Balch and Weston, Councilmen O'Brien, Lunt and Herlihy.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE
50TH ANNIVERSARY-Mayor Brown, President of the Board, Alder- men Sargent and Pearson, Councilmen Sullivan, Herlihy, Rantoul, Lunt, Frost and Chase.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN
POLICE-Mayor, ex-officio, Aldermen Sargent and Weston.
ELECTIONS-Aldermen Fogg, Dame and Pearson.
BROMFIELD FUND-Aldermen Dame, Balch, Weston.
PUTNAM AND ATKINSON FUND-Aldermen Pearson, Sargent and Dame.
LICENSES-Aldermen Sargent, Weston, Fogg.
ENROLLED BILLS-Aldermen Dame, Balch, Pearson.
FROTHINGHAM FUND-Aldermen Fogg, Weston, Balch.
GREEN FUND-Aldermen Pearson, Sargent, Fogg.
TOPPAN FUND-Aldermen Dame, Weston, Balch. STEPHEN W. MARSTON FUND-Aldermen Fogg, Weston, Balch. JOHN R. SPRING FUND-Aldermen Sargent, Pearson, Dame.
ABRAHAM WILLIAMS FUND-Aldermen Balch, Pearson, Sargent. W. O. MOSELEY FUND-Aldermen Weston, Dame, Fogg.
STATE AID AND MILITARY RELIEF --- Aldermen Pearson; Fogg, Weston.
MILITARY AFFAIRS AND ARMORY-Aldermen Balch, Dame, Sarg- ent.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS-Councilmen Lunt, Herlihy, and Hughes.
ENROLLED BILLS-Councilmen Dorr, Hart and Frost.
BILLS OF SECOND READING-Councilmen Knight, O'Brien and Kelley. .
9
CITY GOVERNMENT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Moses Brown, (Mayor) Chairman ex-officio.
Paul A. Merrill, Vice-Chairman
William P. Lunt, Superintendent and Secretary
Robert G. Allen, Truant Officer
24 Tyng street Office at City Hall 25 Milk street
TERM TWO YEARS
Ward One
Ernest W. Bliss (term expires 1903)
Io Allen street
Richard G. Adams (term expires 1902)
70 Bromfield street
Ward Two
Prentiss H. Reed (term expires 1903)
55 Lime street
Elizabeth G. Porter (term expires 1902)
5 Beck street
Ward Three
George E. L. Noyes (term expires 1903) IOI State street
John F. Young (term expires 1902)
9 Fruit street
Ward Four
Geo. W. Worcester (term expires 1903) Clarence C. Day (term expires 1902)
124 High street 8 Washington street
Ward Five
Oliver B. Merrill (term expires 1903) Warren W. Pillsbury (term expires 1902)
- Monroe street 63 Washington street
Ward Six
John G. P. Thurlow (term expires 1903) Paul A. Merrill (term expires 1902)
20 No. Atkinson street
24 Tyng street
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
( Office-City Hall)
TERM THREE YEARS
William H. Huse, Chairman (term expires Dec. 1903) 173 Merrimac st. George P. Sargent, Secretary (term expires Dec. 1902) 18 Fruit st. Willard A. Hatch (term expires Dec. 1904) 62 Federal st.
10
ANNUAL REPORTS
BOARD OF HEALTH
TERM THREE YEARS
John E. Bailey, Chairman (term expires Dec. 1903) 6 Kent street Charles W. Page (term expires Dec. 1904) 12 Horton street
Clarence C. Day ( “ 66 1902) 8 Washington street
Agent of the Board
George W. Knight Parker street
Clerk of the Board
Charles W. Page
12 Horton street
Inspector of Plumbing
Charles H. Sargent
323 High street
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
Moses Brown ( Mayor) Chairman, ex-officio
TERM THREE YEARS
L. W. Sargent, Vice-Chairman (term expires Dec. 1903) 280 High st. William F. Houston (term expires Dec. 1904) 2 Harris street Benjamin F, Hathaway (term expires Dec. 1902) 50 Purchase street Clerk of the Overseers of the Poor William H. Bayley (Office-City Hall) 63 Bromfield street
BOARD OF REGISTRARS
George H. Stevens (City Clerk) ex-officio 37 Kent street TERM THREE YEARS
Nathaniel Greeley, Chairman (term expires Apr. 1901) 37 Marlboro st Luther Carter (term expires April, 1903) II Kent street Benjamin G. Davis (term expires April, 1902) I Horton street
II
CITY GOVERNMENT
Board of Water Commissioners [ Office-Bartlet street ] TERM FIVE YEARS
Abram A. Crabtree [term expires May, 1901 ] I Garden street
John W. Winder [term expires May, 1905] 78 High street
Rudolph Jacoby [term expires May, 1904] 7 Orange street
William F. Runnels [term expires May, 1903] 255 High street
Charles H. Sargent [term expires May, 1902] Harold S. Noyes, Secretary and Treasurer Charles H. Sargent, Acting Superintendent
323 High street
Trustees of Simpson Fund Moses Brown [ Mayor ] ex-officio Robert G. Dodge ( President of Common Council), ex-officio Thomas C. Simpson (term expires December, 1904)
Henry B. Little (term expires December, 1902) Nathan N. Withington (term expires December, 1903) Treasurer and Clerk-James V. Felker (City Treasurer)
Board of Park Commissioners
TERM THREE YEARS
Moses Brown (Mayor) ex-officio Arthur Withington (President Board of Alderman) ex-officio Robert G. Dodge (President of the Common Council ) ex-officio Orrin J. Gurney (term expires December, 1902) John W. Sargent (term expires December, 1903)
Charles C. Stockman (term expires December, 1904)
Commissioners of Atkinson Common Moses Brown (Mayor) ex-officio Arthur Withington (President of the Board of Aldermen) ex-officio Robert G. Dodge ( President of Common Council) ex-officio Alvah Hoyt (term expires April, 1904) Leonard W. Sargent (term expires April, 1903) Orlando F. Hatch (term expires Arpil, 1902)
12
ANNUAL REPORTS
Sinking Fund Commissioners Moses Brown ( Mayor) ex-officio
Robert G. Dodge (President of the Common Council), ex-officio
William H. Welch (City Auditor) ex-officio
Philip H. Lunt (term expires 1902)
Henry B. Little (term expires 1903)
Treasurer and Clerk-James V. Felker (City Treasurer )
Liquor License Commissioners
Lawrence W. Piper, Chairman and Secretary (term expires May, 1906) Jacob T. Rowe (term expires May, 1902)
William Holker (term expires May, 1904)
Trustees Wheelwright Scientific Fund
Moses Brown ( Mayor) ex-officio Robert Codman, President James E. Whitney, Treasurer John W. Winder, Secretary John W. Dodge Lawrence B. Cushing
City Clerk
George H. Stevens
37 Kent street
Office-City Hall
Assistant City Clerk
Henry W. Little
45 Purchase street
Office-City Hall
City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes
James V. Felker
12 Harris street Office -- City Hall Clerk of City Treasurer-Joseph M. Greenough, jr.
13
CITY GOVERNMENT
William H. Welch
City Auditor 24 Washington street Office-First National Bank
City Solicitor
14 Fruit street Office-76 State street City Messenger
78 Federal street Office-City Hall
William P. Lunt
Superintendent of Schools Office-City Hall
19 Pond street
Superintendent of Highways
George W. Langdon Office-Basement of Armory Building
6 Park street
Superintendent of Sewers
Francis Curtis
3 Park street
City Physician
Ernest H. Noyes .
12 Essex street
Superintendent of Old and New Hill Burying Grounds Alfred Gurney
262 Merrimac street
Chief of Fire Department
Hiram H. Landford 20 Purchase street
Superintendent Fire Alarm Telegraph
20 Purchase street Hiram H. Landford
Superintendent of Wires
Hiram H. Landford
20 Purchase street
John C. M. Bayley
Frank H. Rundlett
14
ANNUAL REPORTS Librarian Public Library
192 High street Office-Public. Library
Superintendent Public Reading Room
Martha P. Lunt
19 Pond street
NEWBURYPORT POLICE FORCE
City Marshal
Frank L. Lattime-( Office Central Police Station ) 13272 Water street
Assistant City Marshal John L. McLean
Captain of the Watch Patrick Creeden
Day Officers
Willianı Gillis
Lemuel Hicken
Night Patrolmen
Seth Young Joseph H. Post Philip H. Creasey
Henry C. Tate
William H. Woodman
George W. Lattime
Charles W. Wells
Fred'k A. E. Hodgkins George J. Ross
James F. Murphy
Constables
Patrick Creeden John J. Bryan
Frank H. Rundlett
John Burke
Frank L. Lattime Robert G. Allen
Deputy Collector of Taxes
Fred H. South
Samuel A. Bridges
Inspector of Buildings Hiram H. Landford
Inspector of Animals and Provisions George W. Knight
John D. Parsons
15
CITY GOVERNMENT
Harbor Master Nathan D. Rodigrass Sealer of Weights and Measures Edward Donahue, jr.
Office-Inn street
Measurers of Grain
Moses H. Rolfe
Charles B. Knight
Frank W. Landford Dennis Healey
Henry P. Rolfe
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar
George W. Knight
Office -- City Hall
Gaugers
William S. Coffin
Surveyors of Lumber
Orlando F. Hatch Charles L. Perkins
Gideon C. Webster
George E. Currier William S. Coffin
William H. Morse
Leonard W. Sargent
Thomas F. Corey
Edward Perkins
Edgar Ross
Chas. W. H. Jackman
Alexander G. Perkins
Edward G. Perkins Thos. H. Oliver Joseph Langevin
John Whiting
George W. Hussey Willard A. Hatch, 2d Hall J. Leigh
Alvah Hoyt
Weighers of Coal, Hay and other Merchandise
Charles W. Nelson Edward Donahue
William S. Coffin
Harry W. Bailey Lawrence Whalen John J. Collins
Fred L. Atkinson Jere Healey James Conley
Geo. H. Ogden
Herbert S. Noyes
Fred L. Macintosh
Edward E. Varina
Fred B. Fanning
James Joy
William Conley John L. Noyes
Freeman P. Healey
Jackson Greenaway John Çollins
Alonzo C. Pearson
Rudolph Jacoby
John H. Balch, jr. Joseph L. Jacoby
Frank A. Bray
Edward Donahue, jr. Leonard W. Coker
Burton I. Gerrish Annie Healey
Albert W. Hopkinson
John J. Beaton Moody B. Noyes
Hiram P. Macintosh
16
ANNUAL REPORTS
Field Drivers
Jeremiah S. Parker
Nathan A. Massey
Pound Keepers
Pound No. I Auburn street
Daniel W. Cate
Pound No, 2 Wesley street
.
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
Joseph Woods
Frank A. Bray
Charles A. Pearson
Charles W. Nelson
Measurers of Charcoal
Fred L. Atkinson
John H. Balch, jr.
John L. Noyes William S. Coffin
Jere Healey
Weighers and Measurers of City Fuel
Leonard W. Coker William S. Coffin
Edward E. Varina
Charles W. Nelson Edward Donahue
Inspector of Coal Baskets
William S. Coffin
Fence Viewers Dexter W. Nutting
Measurer of Upper Leather
Luther Carter
Jere S. Parker
17
CITY GOVERNMENT
MEETINGS
CITY COUNCIL
FIRST AND THIRD 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
Tuesday Evening-Public property; Overseers of the Poor
Wednesday Evening-Highway; Police
Thursday Evening-Fire Department; Sewerage; Printing Friday Evening-Accounts
First Thursday afternoon after first Monday of each month-State Aid, Military Aid, and Soldiers' Relief
2
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. MOSES BROWN,
DELIVERED JANUARY- 1901
-
Gentlemen of the City Council :
It is with a profound sense of inexperience in the re- sponsibilities and details of the high office to which I have been chosen that I address you upon this occasion. This consideration, together with the circumstances of my elec tion, the narrow plurality by which the choice of the people was expressed, and the later incidents of the campaign, have impressed upon me the wisdom of moderation and brevity in the observations I am about to make.
The duties of this station will in some respects be dif- ficult, but they will be easier or the reverse as you and I shall co-operate in the affairs we shall have in hand. You will not of course understand that I expect for a moment that you will always agree with me, or that I can promise, invariably, to concur with you, but we can always be con- ciliatory toward each other, and should differences arise we may be sure, that if courtesy and reason and common sense be used, all will in the end be well.
20
ANNUAL REPORTS
In looking over several volumes of city reports I have found that my predecessors have, in general, followed a definite order in presenting their views to the city council and that usually they have spoken first upon the subject of
FINANCE
I understand from the treasurer that at the close of business about Dec. 15, 1899, the net debt of the city was $289,566.47, at the same date in 1900, the net debt was $289,876.59, showing a reduction of $2,689.88. There was, however, at that time, when every bill outstanding should have been rendered an acknowledged overdraft of $5.483.80. When this paragraph was written on Friday last this overdraft had swollen to a sum of between $12,000 and $13,000.
What an overdraft of this amount means to a city of the class, and the moderate resources of ours, must be ap- parent to you all. Upon this most unexpected and disap- pointing revelation, I shall make no comments, except indi- rectly, toward the close of this address.
The net interest account paid by the city last year was $16,182.27, being about 10 per cent. of the entire sum raised by taxation.
Another item to which I desire to call your attention is this, that the debt is already some $36,000 above the limit permitted by the statute law, based upon the valua- tion.
These statistics warn us that during the coming year we and our fellow citizens must content ourselves with the necessities and forego the luxuries of municipal expendi- tures which might be quite proper for larger and richer communities.
Care and economy are the more important at the pres- ent time, because of the probability which is all but a cer- tainty that our city will be compelled, to bear in part, the
·
21
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
cost of a new and expensive bridge across the Merrimac ; because of a general demand for sewerage by the people of the North End; and because of the possible erection or pur- chase of a suitable building for the purposes of the high school. Each of these questions will be treated in its proper place in this paper.
HIGHWAYS
The highways of the city have received much attention during the past ten or twelve years and by contrast with their former condition are in a very satisfactory state at present. We must not forget, however, that work upon streets and sidewalks is very expensive. Last year the ap- propriation for highway (with credits,) was $18,412.91 ; the expenditures about $26,000; overdraft $7,700.09. Be- side, there was spent upon sidewalks $8,000, part of which came back to the treasury from abuttors.
No doubt the city received full value for the amount expended, and in this connection I desire thus publicly to express my personal regret that we are losing at the begin- ning of my term of office the services of the superintendent who, for a term of fourteen years has faithfully adminis- tered the work of this department.
A complaint has been made that during the past year or two, the north end of the city has been neglected in the proportion of outlay in this department. Whether or not the feeling is justified I have had no time to ascertain by personal observation. I wish to say. however, that in the large committee having this work in charge there is per- haps more need and more opportunity for the exercise of a spirit of mutual concession than in any other. As a mem- ber of that committee I shall exert whatever influence I may possess toward the equitable distribution of whatever outlay may be made.
22
ANNUAL REPORTS
It will be noted that a large part of the overdraft of last year was in this department. We must as a commit- tee so lay out the work for the present year as to keep the expenditure within the income, and I hope it may be found possible to ask for a smaller appropriation than heretofore.
I have been told that there has lately arrived a cargo of edgestones, but notwithstanding this fact I think we should make up our minds to great economy in their use. The sidewalks of the city are in fair condition and for the present year, at least, we can curtail this expense without injury to anyone.
SCHOOLS
The school system in our city is a most excellent one and the general results in scholarship will compare favor- ably with any in the state. It is also undoubtedly true that the expenses of the department are less in proportion to the number of students than in most other cities. Whether this is due to the fact that smaller salaries are paid, or that more work is done by individual teachers, I am not in a position to say. There is now in process of construction a commodious brick schoolhouse upon or near the old Jackman foundation. This building when com- pleted will be spacious and convenient and will meet all the requirements of these modern days. It would seem wise that the small house on School street, next to the school, should be purchased if it can be had at a reasona- ble price, so as to make the grounds in better proportion.
In this department by far the most difficult problem is that of the High School. Under authority of the city gov- ernment of last year, plans and estimates for the enlarge- ment of the Putnam school were made. These plans are now in the hands of the city council. They provide for an increase in the capacity of the building, making it a 14- room schoolhouse. The estimate of cost is $17,500. This
23
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
plan involves, I suppose, the purchase of the building and grounds of the Putnam trustees. There are apparently some of our citizens who favor the erection of a thoroughly modern High school building upon the mall or elsewhere. I have had little opportunity for consultation with mem- bers of the school board and it may appear presumptuous upon my part to offer an opinion in the premises, but in view of the very costly nature of each of the projects noted, and considering the state of the city finances, it seems to me as at present advised, wise to renew the contract or agreement, under the terms of which the High and Putnam schools are now being operated, amending it in some par- ticulars. I am aware that there are grave objections to this arrangement, and that more or less inconvenience to teachers and students arises from it, but I submit that upon the whole it is the better course to follow.
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS
In this department last year the large sum of $10,- 749.12 was expended, an overdraft of $1766.54 being made The condition of the Newburyport bridge has for years been such that almost continual repairs have been needed to keep it safe for travel. The county commissioners will, without doubt, early in the present year condemn this bridge and will order the construction of another of stone and iron. Under the act of 1896 no less than 40 per cent. of the cost may be assessed upon the city of Newburyport and the next towns, and of that 40 per cent. three-fourths at least is likely to be the proportion of Newburyport, so that if the bridge cost $175,000 it is easy to figure that our share will be $52,500, and our city debt increased in that amount.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
In every city there is and will continue to be more or less criticism of the police department; of the men who
24
ANNUAL REPORTS
compose the force and the methods followed by them. So far as I can learn there is in our own city less cause for criticism in this direction than in most places. The men are competent, honest and attentive to their duty. The chief is a man of tact and ability, well fitted for the position which he holds. The force consists of 15 officers and men, The expenses a number amply sufficient for our needs. of the department last year were $13,103.73 and there was a balance undrawn of $710.57 to its credit at the end of the year. One of our greatest needs is a new and convenient station. While it seems impossible to have it at present, I am glad to report that a fund for the purpose is accumu- lating, amounting now to $3000.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Of the affairs of this department I am unable to speak with particular knowledge. December 15th its total ex- penditure had been $12,539.19, overdraft $203.84, since in- creased $500 or more. A large proportion of the expense is the salary list of the officers and the annual pay of the several companies. I believe that the apparatus is in ex- cellent repair, and the various houses are convenient and in satisfactory condition, save that of the hose company in ward six. For the accommodation of this company and its apparatus a lot of land has been recently purchased upon Forrester street where it is proposed to build a house in the future. As to the morale and general efficiency of the department it is now, as it has been during the entire history of the city, unquestionably good.
SEWERAGE
In reference to the subject of sewerage I have little to offer. It is certain that the system is, for a city like ours, the very best that could be employed, and it is surprising
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