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https://archive.org/details/cityofficersannu1904city
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
1904
NEWBURYPORT SQUIRE & SWAN UNION A LABEL JOB PRINTERS
1905
25 D34 den Pentill
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE PRINTING COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
PAY DAYS
City Treasurer's Office, City Hall, - January, 1905.
Regular weekly pay day, Monday. Monthly pay day, first Thurs- day after the 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, 1905.
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 II a. m. to 12 m. daily.
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. Saturdays : 9 a. m. to I p. m. First Thursday evening after the first Mon- day : 7 to 9.
Clerk of the Overseers of the Poor- From 9 a. m. to 12 in .; 2 to 4 p. m. Saturdays : 9 a. m. to 12 mm. 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. Assessors - From 10 a. m. to I p. m. Wednesdays of each week.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS 1904
MAYOR JAMES F. CARENS Residence : No. 4 Milk Street. Office : City Hall
BOARD OF ALDERMEN President of the Board : CHARLES W. AYERS
Ward One
GEORGE F. WOODMAN 26 Oak street
Ward Two
MOODY B. NOYES 53 Federal street
Ward Three
BENJAMIN P, IRELAND 14 Fair street
Ward Four
CHARLES P. KELLY
I26 Merrimac street
Ward Five
ANDREW R. CURTIS
.214 Merrimac street
Ward Six
JOHN M. CHASE
Curson road
At Large
CHARLES W. AYERS.
153 High street
Clerk of the Board : GEORGE H. STEVENS
Assistant Clerk : HENRY W. LITTLE
5
6
ANNUAL REPORTS
COMMON COUNCIL
President of the Council . JAMES F. SULLIVAN
Ward One
HUDSON H. HARDY .2372 Purchase street
GEORGE H. WELCH 20 Oak street
FRANKLIN P. KNIGHT . 13 Bromfield street
Ward Two
GEORGE P. PECKHAN . 32 Charles street
LAURENS C. EMERY 17 Orange street
JAMES F. SULLIVAN 28 Federal street
Ward Three
J. EUGENE FOWLE. . 100 State street
ROBERT E. HART 22 Liberty street
JOHN J. KELLEHER II Pike street
Ward Four
FRANK A. PAGE I2 Harris street
BARTHOLOMEW M. SULLIVAN .. 6 Hale's court
RICHARD S. GOODWIN JR 31 Summer street
Ward Five
JOHN BALCH BLOOD 232 High street FRANK W. MARSHALL 13 Eagle street
GEORGE W. HUSSEY 43 Kent street
Ward Six
OBED W. GREATON 18 North Atkinson street
ALBERT D. FROST 7 Collins street
HERMAN S. STEVENS . 17 Arlington street
Clerk of the Council : J. HERMANN CARVER
7
CITY GOVERNMENT
Finance - Mayor ex-officio, President Sullivan, Alderman Noyes, Councilmen Knight, Page, Greaton, Blood.
Accounts - Aldermen Ayers and Woodman, Councilmen Emery Marshall, Frost.
Public Property - Mayor ex-officio, Aldermen Chase, Ireland and Noyes, Councilmen Sullivan, Hardy, Peckham, Kelleher, Hussey, Stevens.
Commercial Interests - Aldermen Noyes and Curtis, Councilmen Blood, Page, Kuight.
Fire Department - Aldermen Ireland, Noyes, Kelly and Wood- man, Councilmen Welch, Hart, Page, Marshall, Greaton.
Bridges and Culverts - Aldermen Kelly and Woodman, Council- men Hussey, Hardy, Stevens.
Rules -President Ayers ex-officio, Alderman Chase, President Sullivan ex-officio, Councilmen Page, Blood.
Claims - Aldermen Noyes and Kelly, Councilmen Goodwin, Sul- livan, Fowle.
Lighting Streets and Public Buildings - Aldermen Woodman and Chase, Councilmen Knight, Emery, Hart.
Printing - Alderman Ireland, Councilmen Sullivan and Kelleher.
Water Supply - Aldermen Curtis and Chase, Councilmen Emery, Fowle, Frost.
Sewerage - Aldermen Curtis, Kelly and Chase, Councilmen Hardy, Kelleher, Frost, Hussey.
Ordinances - Mayor ex-officio, Councilmen Fowle and Goodwin,
Sawyer Fund -Alderman Woodman, Councilmen Welch, Sul- van.
Brown Fund - Alderman Woodman, Councilmen Fowle, Mar- shall.
Todd Fund - Alderman Woodman, Councilmen Kelleher, Hart.
Fuel- Aldermen Ireland and Kelly, Councilmen Peckham, Hart, Hussey.
Highways - Mayor ex-officio, Board of Aldermen, Councilmen Fowle, Goodwin, Stevens, Peckham, Blood, Welch.
S
ANNUAL REPORTS
Dexter and Atwood Funds - Mayor ex-officio, City Treasurer ex- officio, President of Common Council ex-officio.
STANDING COMMITTEES - BOARD OF ALDERMEN
Police - Mayor Carens ex-officio, Aldermen Curtis, Ayers. Licenses - Aldermen Woodman, Kelly, Curtis. State Aid and Military Relief - Aldermen Ireland, Noyes, Chase. Bromfield Fund - Aldermen Curtis, Chase, Kelly. Elections - Aldermen Chase, Curtis, Woodman. Enrolled Bills - Aldermen Noyes, Kelly, Ireland. Military Affairs and Armory - Aldermen Curtis, Ireland, Chase.
Putnam. and Atkinson Funds, Frothingham Fund, Green Fund, Toppan Fund. W. O. Moseley Fund, John R. Spring Fund, Stephen W Marston Fund - Aldermen Chase, Noyes, Ireland.
STANDING COMMITTEES-COMMON COUNCIL
Elections and Returns - Councilmen Knight, Emery, Frost. Bills of Second Reading - Councilmen Hardy, Sullivan, Stevens. Enrolled Bills - Councilmen Page, Greaton, Goodwin.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
JAMES F. CARENS (Mayor), Chairman, ex-officio
Prentiss H. Reed, Vice Chairman 55 Lime street William P. Lunt, Superintendent and Secretary .... Office at City Hall Robert G. Allen, Truant Officer 25 Milk street
TERM: TWO YEARS
Ward One
Ernest W. Bliss, term expires 1905 · IO Allen street Richard G. Adams, term expires 1906 .70 Bromfield street
Ward Two
Prentiss H. Reed, term expires 1905 55 Lime street Charles W. Bailey, term expires 1906. 62 Prospect street
Ward Three
William F. Lunt, term expires 1905 . 33 Prospect street John F. Young, term expires 1906. .9 Fruit street
Ward Four
Charles F. Johnson, term expires 1905 . · 45 Washington street Philip H. Kimball, term expires 1906 2 Bradstreet place
Ward Five
Oliver B. Merrill, term expires 1905. Monroe street Randolph C. Hurd, term expires 1906. 230 High street
Ward Six
George A. Dickey, term expires 1905 14 Toppan street Paul A. Merrill, term expires 1906. 24 Tyng street
IO
ANNUAL REPORTS
BOARD OF ASSESSORS (Office, City Hall) TERM : THREE YEARS
William H. Huse (Chairman), term expires Dec., 1906. . 7 Essex street George P. Sargent (Secretary ), term expires Dec., 1905. 18 Fruit street Willard A. Hatch, term expires Dec .. 1904 . 62 Federal street
BOARD OF HEALTH
TERM : THREE YEARS
John E. Bailey (Chairman), terin expires Dec., 1906. ... 6 Kent street Charles W. Page, term expires Dec , 1907 12 Horton street Simeon O. Pilling, term expires Dec., 1905 . 202 High street Agent of the Board
John Burke ·50 Bromfield street Clerk of the Board 12 Horton street
Charles W. Page
Charles H. Sargent Inspector of Plumbing 323 High street
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR JAMES F. CARENS (Mayor), Chairman, ex-officio TERM : THREE YEARS
L. W. Sargent ( Vice Chairman), Dec., 1906. 280 High street William F. Houston, term expires Dec., 1904. . 2 Harris street Benjamin F. Hathaway, term expires Dec., 1905 ... 50 Purchase street Clerk of the Overseers of the Poor William H. Bayley (Office, City Hall). 63 Bromfield street
II
CITY GOVERNMENT
BOARD OF REGISTRARS
George H. Stevens (City Clerk), ex-officio. ...... · 37 Kent street TERM: THREE YEARS
B. William Barrett, term expires April, 1907 '60 Middle street Luther Carter, term expires April, 1906. . II Kent street Benjamin G. Davis (Chairman), April, 1905. I Horton street
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS (Office, 38 Inn Street)
TERM: FIVE YEARS
Irving Besse, term expires May, 1906. Io Garden street John W. Winder, term expires May, 1905. · 78 High street Rudolph Jacoby, term expires May, 1904. . 7 Orange street Charles A. Bliss (Chairman), term expires May, 1908. . 82 Lime street Louis F. Barton, term expires May, 1907. 187 High street
+
Harold S. Noyes, Secretary and Treasurer
TRUSTEES OF SIMPSON FUND
JAMES F. CARENS (Mayor), ex-officio
James F. Sullivan (President of the Common Council ), ex-officio Thomas C. Simpson, term expires Dec., 1906 Henry B. Little, term expires Dec., 1904 Nathan N. Withington, term expires Dec., 1905
Treasurer and Clerk : James V. Felker (City Treasurer)
12
ANNUAL REPORTS BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS TERM: THREE YEARS JAMES F. CARENS ( Mayor), ex-officio
Charles W. Ayers (President of the Board of Aldermen ), ex-officio James F. Sullivan (President of the Common Council), ex-officio Orrin J. Gurney, term expires Dec., 1904
John W. Sargent, term expires Dec., 1905
Charles C. Stockman, term expires Dec., 1906
COMMISSIONERS OF ATKINSON COMMON
JAMES F. CARENS ( Mayor), ex-officio
Charles W. Ayers ( President of the Board of Aldermen), ex-officio James F. Sullivan (President of the Common Council), ex-officio Alvah Hoyt, term expires April, 1904
Leonard W, Sargent, term expires April, 1906
Orlando F. Hatch, term expires April, 1905
SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS JAMES F. CARENS ( Mayor), ex-officio
James F. Sullivan (President of the Common Council), ex-officio William H. Welch (City Auditor), ex-officio Philip H. Lunt, term expires 1905 Henry B. Little, term expires 1904
Treasurer and Clerk : James V. Felker, (City Treasurer)
I3
CITY GOVERNMENT
LIQUOR LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
Lawrence W. Piper (Chairman and Secretary), term expires May, 1906 Charles W. Cooke, term expires May, 1908 William Holker, term expires May, 1904
TRUSTEES OF WHEELWRIGHT SCIENTIFIC SCHOOL JAMES F. CARENS (Mayor), ex-officio
Lawrence B. Cushing, President
James E. Whitney, Treasurer
John W. Winder, Secretary John W. Dodge
Edmund D. Codman
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
Mary K. Pettingell . 15 Bromfield street
City Auditor
William H. Welch 24 Washington street
Office, First National Bank
14
ANNUAL REPORTS
City Solicitor
George H. O'Connell. 140 State street Office, 45 State street City Messenger
Frank H. Rundlett 78 Federal street Office, City Hall Superintendent of Schools
William P. Lunt . 19 Pond street
Office, City Hall
Superintendent of Highways
George W. Langdon 6 Park street Office, 6 Park street Superintendent of Sewers
Jeremiah P. Creeden
. 149 Merrimac street
City Physician
Ernest H. Noyes . . 12 Essex street
Superintendent of Old and New Hill Burying Grounds
Alfred Gurney .
. 262 Merrimac street
Tree Warden
Thomas T. Upton ... 26 Market street
Fish Warden
Charles L. Perkins 1012 Bromfield street
John P. Atkinson. Chief of Fire Department
1472 Fair street
Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph
Orrin J. Welch. . 25 Olive street
Superintendent of Wires
.25 Olive street
Orrin J. Welch
I5
CITY GOVERNMENT
Librarian of Public Library
John D. Parsons 9 Horton street Superintendent of Public Reading Room
Martha P. Lunt 19 Pond street
NEWBURYPORT POLICE FORCE
City Marshal
Edward R. Ayers .6 Vernon street
Office, Central Police Station
Assistant City Marshal John L. McLean
Captain of the Watch Patrick Creeden
Frank L. Lattime
Day Officers James F. Murphy William H. Woodman
Night Patrolmen
Seth Young
George W. Lattime
John M. Hayes
Philip H. Creasey
Charles W. Wells
George J. Ross
John T. Carey
Peter J. Kelleher
George F. Adams, Jr,
Daniel J. Lynch
Constables
Patrick Creeden
Frank H. Rundlett
Frank L. Lattime
John J. Bryan
John Burke
Robert G. Allen
Fred H. South
George E. Shute
Deputy Collector of Taxes
George E. Shute .. 34 Liberty street
Inspector of Animals and Provisions
Irving K. Wells
72 Prospect street
16
ANNUAL REPORTS
Harbor Master
Benjamin W. Stevens .4 Madison street
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Edward Donahue, Jr ..
Office, Inn street
Measurers of Grain
Moses H. Rolfe Dennis Healey Frank W. Landford
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar
George W. Knight
Office, City Hall
Guagers
William S. Coffin
Hiram P. Macintosh
Surveyors of Lumber
Orlando F. Hatch
Charles L. Perkins
Gideon C. Webster
George E. Currier
Thomas F. Corey
Edward Perkins
Leonard W. Sargent
Thomas H. Oliver
Alexander G. Perkins
Edgar Ross
George W. Hussey Joseph Langevin
Edward G. Perkins Alvah Hoyt
Willard A. Hatch, 2d
Chas. W. H. Jackman William B. Coffin
Weighers of Coal, Hay and Other Merchandise
Charles W. Nelson
Edward Donahue
William S. Coffin
Fred L. Atkinson
Lawrence Whalen
John J. Collins
George H. Ogden Jere Healey
James Conley®
Edward E. Varina
Fred B. Fanning
Fred L. Macintosh
William Conley
John L. Noyes
James Joy
Jackson Greenaway
John H. Balch, Jr.
Freeman P. Healey
Rudolph Jacoby
Edward Donahue, Jr. Alonzo C. Pearson
Frank A. Bray
Annie Healey Joseph L. Jacoby
John Collins
John J. Beaton
Albert W. Hopkinson
Harrison F. Smart
Charles A. Morse
Moody B. Noyes
Winthrop O. Coffin J. H. Currier H. Mullins
Herbert S. Noyes
Michael Toomey
E. Jacoby
W. Quinn
G. H. Bragg
P. Heggerty
H. E. Allen
John Sullivan.
B. Sweeney
17
CITY GOVERNMENT
Field Drivers
Michael Toomey Nathan A. Massey
Pound Keepers
Daniel W. Cate . Pound No. I, Auburn street
Michael Toomey . 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
Michael Toomey
Measurers of Charcoal Jolın H. Balch, Jr. John L. Noyes
Fred L. Atkinson
Jere Healey John J. Collins William S. Coffin
Weighers and Measurers of City Fuel
Edward E. Varina
William S. Coffin Charles W. Nelson
John J. Collins
Edward Donahue
Inspector of Coal Baskets William S. Coffin
Fence Viewer Dexter W. Nutting
Measurer of Upper Leather Luther Carter
MEETINGS
City Council FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH School Committee LAST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH Overseers of the Poor LAST TUESDAY 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 - Highways; Police.
Thursday evening - Fire Department ; Sewerage ; Printing. Friday evening - Accounts.
First Wednesday evening after first Monday of each month - State Aid, Military Aid, and Soldiers' Relief.
19
MAYORS OF THE CITY OF NEWBURY- PORT
The original charter of the city was adopted by the in- habitants June 3, 1851.
The mayor is elected annually.
Hon, Caleb Cushing * 1851-52
Hon. Henry Johnson 1852-53
Hon. Moses Davenport + 1854-55-61
Hon. William Cushing 1856-57-58
Hon. Albert Currier 1859-60
Hon. George W. Jackman, Jr 1861-62-64-65-77
Hon. Isaac H. Boardman. 1863
Hon. William Graves 1866
Hon. Eben F. Stone
1867
Hon. Nathaniel Pierce
1868-69
Hon. Robert Couch.
1870-81
Hon. Elbridge G. Kelley. 1871-72
Hon. Warren Currier 1873-74
Hon. Benjamin F. Atkinson 1875-76
Hon. Jonathan Smith
1878
Hon. John James Currier 1879-80
Hon. Benjamin Hale 1882
Hon. William A. Johnson 1883-84
Hon. Thomas C. Simpson 1885
21
22
ANNUAL REPORTS
Hon. Charles C. Dame 1886
Hon. J. Otis Winkley 1887
Hon. William H. Huse + 1888
Hon. Albert C. Titcomb 1888-89
Hon. Elisha P. Dodge 1800-91
Hon. Orrin J. Gurney .
1892-93-94-95
Hon. Andrew R. Curtis
1896-97
Hon. George H. Plumer
.1898
Hon. Thomas Huse
1899-1900
Hon. Moses Brown 1901-02
Hon. James F. Carens · 1903 -- 04
Hon. William F. Houston 1905
* Resigned
+ Died in office
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
-- OF - -
HON. JAMES F. CARENS
DELIVERED JANUARY 4, 1904
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :
In keeping with a long-established custom, we meet to- night to assume offices of responsibility as well as honor. And ungrateful indeed would I be did I not pause at this time to express my indebtedness for and appreciation of the renewed evidence of the confidence of my fellow-citi- zens. And it becomes a duty to all to give to the city that has honored us service that is in keeping with our oath of office and a devotion sincere and unfaltering.
Preliminary to discussing the detailed needs of the sev- eral departments of the city, I invite your attention to a careful consideration of the financial report, as rendered by the city treasurer at the close of the municipal year, December 19, 1903.
23
24
ANNUAL, REPORTS
Statement of city debt, December 19, 1903 :
City bonds, refunding loan, 4 per cent.
$ 65,000 00
..
..
4 90,000 00 1 25,000 00 .6 sewerage 66 66
4 107,500 00
6 31/2 66
46,000 00
66 schoolhouse 312
27,500 00
6.
high school "
. . .
85,000 00
$446,000 00
Notes payable, temparary loan .
90,534 54
water account loan
56,933 19
trust funds. 79,750 00
3'48
Gross debt
$673,221 21
Less available assets :
Tax of 1901
2,029 65 “ 1902 26,546 30
55,537 75 " 1903
2,235 48
Watering streets, 1902.
353 00
1903.
953 45
State of Massachusetts, state aid.
9,891 00
military aid. 270 23
Sinking funds.
132,616 41
Cash on hand.
72,855 64
State of Massachusetts, burial account
245 00
303,533 91
Net debt, December 19, 1903 .
$369,687 30
20, 1902 321,725 39
Increase of debt in 1903.
$ 47,961 91
The increase in debt in 1903 is explained as follows :
Appropriated to sinking fund in 1903. $17,200 00
Income of sinking fund in 1903. .... 4,329 JO
Appropriated to ward six engine house. 1,000 00
Credit for the year. $22,529 10
Due sundry accounts
Betterments
25
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Amount brought forward. $22,529 10
Increase of overdraft in 1903 . . $ 8,326 65
Net expenses on sewerage in 1903. . 1,235 68
new high school in 1903 60,279 68
Expenditures on water account. 649 00
70,491 0I
Increase of debt (as before stated). $47,961 91
The total appropriations amounted to $186,906.98, in- come and transfers amounted to $40,881.05, making a total of $227,788.03. The expenditures were $236,391.66, mak- ing an overdraft of $9,603.63.
FINANCES
The material welfare of every community depends in the greatest possible measure upon its financial standing as judged by those beyond its borders. The financial problem which confronts us at this time, coupled with the desire to maintain the present efficiency of every de- partment, is not pleasing to look upon, but the confidence of our fellow-citizens in our integrity and ability to man- age the affairs of the city calls for such action as will demonstrate a proper conception of civic responsibility.
The loss of $18,000 from the license fees, supplemented by the call for $5800 per year for interest and sinking fund requirements in payment for the high school building, will be reinforced by a demand from the county commis- sioners for $3500 as the first payment upon the new bridge, and a call for not less than $3500 to repair and improve the Davenport school, which was burned in December. In
26
ANNUAL REPORTS
these four items can be found the material that, if econ- omy from a theoretical standpoint is practised, will mili- tate to the disadvantage of the city by a tax rate of an abnormal figure; while the economy that discards parsi- mony, yet suggests no expenditure that calls not impera- tively, will be of inestimable advantage in perpetuating the prosperity that is upon us and which no act of ours should or will retard.
THE OVERDRAFT
"'Age cannot wither nor custom stale" the public inter- est in the annual dissertation explanatory of the over- draft of the preceding year. The extraordinary and woe- ful conditions of the fuel market that prevailed during the winter of 1902-03 are in a great measure responsible for the overdraft of 1903, and for the following reasons: By the inability of the administration of 1902 to procure coal to heat the buildings, the property of the city, it was necessary to purchase and in many cases at exorbitant prices, a sufficient quantity of wood to do so. While at the beginning of the year much consideration was given this matter, the amount of wood consumed and the abnor- mal prices at which it was contracted for by the govern- ment of 1902 (and which, as a matter of fairness, were in all cases at the market value at that time), completely overthrew the plans mapped out by ths committee having the matter in charge.
By reference to the financial sheet of the year, an over- draft of $7627. 17 appears on the fuel account, all of which
27
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
was paid before April Ist, 1903, all of which under ordi- nary conditions would have been paid by the preceding administration. In addition to the above amount, the fuel committee, in order to place matters again in their normal condition, were obliged to spend the sum of $6164.52 for coal and other fuel in order that our buildings might be properly heated.
"Comparisons are odious," but the inequalities of fuel financiering are readily understood when it is seen that the administration of 1902 passed favorably upon fuel bills amounting to $1543.07, while that of 1903 was obliged to pay the sum of $13,490.17. The totals are spectacular, to say the least, and we offer in extenuation of the facts that every dollar charged to the account has been paid, regardless of which administration contractrd the bill, and all public buildings are fully supplied with fuel for the season.
The school department, in whose expenditures the city council have no voice, shows an overdraft of $4661.61, and in these two appropriations can be found the causes that make necessary this explanation, as without these two overdrafts our total appropriation would have shown an undrawn balance of $2685.15.
The overdraft in the fire department was caused by the large number of bills, amounting to $900, carried from 1902, and a statement of which has been prepared by the chairman of last year's committee.
The police appropriation shows an overdraft for the rea- son of an over-estimate of its income and by the increase of pay.
28
ANNUAL REPORTS
The board of health appropriation was overdrawn in stamping out what promised to be an epidemic of diphthe- ria, and for their prompt and successful action they de- serve the thanks of the whole community.
The appropriation for shade trees was overdrawn $499,- 01, it being found necessary in order to save the trees.
Incidental to the overdraft, it may be stated that it was found during the summer that there were no lots available for burial purposes in the cemeteries owned by the city, consequently land was purchased at an expense of $1200. Plans have been made and the city is now in possession of a burial ground containing about three hundered lots.
The Kelley school has also been fitted with first-class sanitary arrangements at a cost of $1100, upon which a payment of $800 on account has been made.
A sinking fund has been created for an engine house at ward six, and $1000 remains to its credit.
SCHOOLS
The department that responds to this caption is un- questionably the nearest, and in more than one sense the dearest, to us all. For the department that cares for our children during their tender years, deserves well of all cit- izens, and, whatever the financial exigencies, should be the first to be considered. I have no hesitancy in say- ing that we have an excellent system of schools and a corps of intelligent, efficient and devoted teachers, that have made our schools the equal of those in other cities of the state. This in itself means much to the community
29
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
in general, for, in spite of all outside criticisms, the schools of Massachusetts lay the foundation upon which is built the intelligent and moral greatness of a state which represents the best culture and best sentiments of humanity.
There are twelve buildings in use for schools. The High school is the largest and best equipped. The Jack- man, Kelley and Curtis schools meet the requirements in full. The others are insufficient to meet the needs of the pupils.
It has been the policy during the past few years to greatly improve our school buildings, and as a conse- quence great progress has been made toward better and more commodious quarters.
The appropriation for this department was $34,000; its income amounted to $2403.80. Its expenditures amounted to $41,019.24, showing an overdraft of $4615.44.
This does not in any way convey a proper idea of the total expense, for, aside from the above-named amount, we will this year be obliged to provide, in interest and sinking fund charges, about $5800 011 account of the high school and about $2900 on account of the Jackman school. We will also spend $2500 under the direction of the com- mittee on public property. In view of the increased ex- penses of this department, while I would urge no "penny wise and pound foolish policy," I would ask the school board for that which will meet the approval of the people, economy, where it may be practised safely and wisely.
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