USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1894 > Part 4
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
mendation was unanimously adopted by the city council, and we petitioned for a charter. While it was admitted by all that such a course might be of some benefit to the city, they also declared that it would be impossible for us to obtain a charter, as such a thing had never been heard of before. Nevertheless, we accomplished what was said to be impossible, for although we were twice defeated, first in the committee and afterwards in the Senate, at last, after a hard fight, we succeeded in obtaining all we asked for. But it required a vast amount of labor, not only for myself, but on the part of the counsel for the city, the senators and the members of the Legislature, who rendered us such valuable as- sistance ; and I would especially mention Representa- tive Martin, of Medford, who is entitled to the gratitude of the city for his earnest work in our behalf.
I assure you that nothing but a desire to benefit my native city would ever induce me to again bear the strain of both mind and body that I went through last winter, as I lay awake night after night studying the matter, anxious all the time for fear I might do something wrong, and make a mistake which would be of great injury to the city; and if I had not re- ceived the hearty encouragement and support of the city government and the citizens at large I could not
69
MARYOR'S ADDRESS.
have gone through with it. I have all along received a great deal of advice from those who, while pro- fessing hostility to the water company, are secretly working in its interest, but so far I have managed to steer clear of their traps and pitfalls. Whether it is really the intention of the water company to petition the Legislature, as they have stated they should, to have our charter repealed-for that is what it means- or whether it is a bluff on their part to cover some other move, I do not know. They certainly have not complied with the law, which requires so many days' notice to be given. Last year, in the case of the city of Gloucester, they having failed to give notice, the Legislature refused to suspend the rules to admit their petition. Even if the water company should succeed in getting their petition before the Legislature, I do not think there is any chance of its going through. Our act, as it was finally passed, went through both the Senate and House unanimously, without any opposition, which was accomplished by a mutual agreement made between the city and water company by their counsel and agents, in Governor Long's office in Boston, the water company agreeing not to oppose it any longer if the city would accept as an amendment the clause providing that the citizens should first vote, by a majority vote, on purchasing the plant of the water company, and that
70
ANNUAL REPORTS.
it should require a two-thirds vote on the acceptance of the act giving the city authority to build works of its own, the water company feeling sure that with the papers on their side they could influence a majority of the voters to vote to purchase their property, and that if by any means they should fail in that, they did not consider it possible that we could get a two-thirds vote on the acceptance of the act. I consented to their conditions without any hesitation, as I had the utmost confidence in the people. Both the city and the water company took their chances in leaving it to the people. The water company, very much to their surprise, lost while the city came out with flying colors; and with these facts to meet, it seems to me that it will be greatly to their disadvan- tage in asking the Legislature to undo what they con- sented to themselves. If they should make any such attempt, it will go to prove that all their talk about our act not being legal has been simply bluff on their part, as they would not be likely to go to any such trouble and expense to repeal an act that they did not consider legal. If it was illegal, as they have claimed, it would only be necessary to let it alone, but if they should try to have our charter taken away from us, we shall fight harder to keep it than we did to get it. Now a few words in regard to their water supply and the contrivance they have built, which
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
they call a filter, costing them, I believe, in the vicinity of $20,000. Less than one-half their water supply is pure spring water; the remainder must be either river or surface water, in either case unfit to be used for drinking purposes. The spring water, what there is of it, is as good as can be found, but even that is not good spring water when it reaches us, as the spring water is allowed to flow from the wells into the pond and mix with the surface water, after which it is pumped from the pond through the pipes and delivered to the citizens; and as most of the stockholders in the water company are drinking either cistern or well water, or having spring water brought to their houses, which goes to prove that they do not consider the water furnished by the water company suitable to use for drinking purposes, I think it would be well for the citizens to follow their example, for if they are afraid to take their own medicine we have reason to feel a little shy of it. The contrivance they have named a filter, one end of which, with the well which is connected with it, has been built upon the town landing is no more fit to be called a filter than an old-fashioned colander would be. I had photographs taken of the whole arrange- ment, inside and out, before any sand was put into it or any dirt filled around it, not giving them any op- portunity to cover up any of its defects. The whole
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
arrangement is built close to the river bank, and there is nothing to prevent the river water at times from coming in at the bottom faster than it can be pumped in at the top, and I am confident that the State Board of Health will never give their consent to the use of such an apology for a filter. The en- gineer's report I expect along very soon, and I have no recommendations to make in regard to construct- ing new works until I know its contents. I have not seen the report or any part of it as yet, but it will be a thorough one, as he was instructed to make a thorough and scientific test of the whole district back of the city for a water supply, to prepare a plan and make an estimate of the cost, as well as to look carefully into the condition, cost, and present value of the plant of the water company, and I have no doubt the report will be of great value to the city. It has been long in coming on account of the thoroughness of the engineer's work. No one has been worrying about its delay but those who are working in the interest of the water company, and they have been fretting with impatience to see if there might not be some points in it which could be taken advantage of by the water company.
CONCLUSION.
And now, gentlemen, in conclusion, let me remind you that the success of the present city government
73
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
depends largely upon the manner in which each member of the city council performs his duty. It is only by 'united and harmonious action that we can achieve the best results. The man, whether he be a member of the common council or of the board of aldermen, or one altogether outside of the city gov- ernment, who would in any way try to create a feel- ing of antagonism between the two branches of the city council is unworthy of your confidence or re- spect. You may rest assured that back of any such attempt will be found some scheme which is not in accordance with the city's interest. Let me, then, urge upon each one of you the necessity of doing all you can to prevent any such feeling, that we may all work together, doing only those things which will be for the best interest of the city, so that at the close of the year we may be able to give a good account of our stewardship. To the new members I extend a hearty welcome, and only ask of you to be true to your oath ' of office, which requires you to faithfully serve the city to the best of your ability. More than four- fifths of the present city council were members of the city government of last year and the year before, and I wish to say to them that never before in the history of this city has there been such an unusual and remarkable endorsement of the policy of a city government as that which on the twelfth day of
10
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
December last returned to seats in these council chambers eighteen members of last year's city gov- ernment and three of the year before, which was practically the same, making twenty-one out of the twenty-five members. It was a complete vindication on the part of the people of the ability and the in- tegrity of the men who composed the city govern- ment of 1893, and an emphatic disapproval by the citizens of the low methods employed by rings, cliques and scheming politicians to bring discredit upon public servants, who were too honest to con- sent to be used by that class of men.
Once more, gentlemen, I beseech you, be true to yourselves and to your trusts. Do not be what are called policy men, those who say one thing to one person and something entirely different to another. We can never be on both sides of a question; then let us not try for we shall surely come to grief if we do. Neither should we enroll ourselves among the class of weak-minded men who are always saying yes to everybody. Rather let us be, in every sense of the word, true men-men who have an honest opinion, and who dare express it in a plain, out- spoken manner. Let us ever stand firm for the right, and so stand because it is right; then, no matter what evil-minded men say of us. we shall surely be victorious in the end.
-
75
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
And now, as we are just entering upon a new year, a fitting time to form good resolutions, let us determine that during the year to come we will be better city officials, better citizens, better men in every way than we have ever been before; and fol- lowing the teachings of the golden rule, which bids us "do unto others as we would they should do unto us," and in imitation of Him who when reviled re- viled not again, but who out of the fullness of His heart could say, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!" let us today, imbued with some- thing of His spirit, ask God, the Father of us all. who in His mercy sends His rain alike upon the just and upon the unjust, to bestow His richest blessings upon every citizen of Newburyport.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Receipts and Expenditures
OF THE
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT,
FOR THE
Year Ending December 15, 1894.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT, December, IS94.
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN: The Joint Standing Committee on Finance respect- fully submit the following statements and reports of the City Treasurer and Collector and the City Auditor for the financial year ending December 15, 1894.
The books and accounts of the City Treasurer and Collector have been examined, under the direction of the Committee, by the City Auditor, and found by him to be correct and properly vouched.
For the Committee,
ORRIN J. GURNEY, Chairman.
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT, AUDITOR'S OFFICE, Dec. 15, 1894. } To the Committee on Finance:
GENTLEMEN: In conformity with the require- ments of the ordinances of the city, I herewith submit the forty-fourth annual report of the receipts and ex- penditures of the city of Newburyport for the finan- cial year ending Dec. 15, 1894, (including the sum of $7,109 expended in 1893, and remaining unpaid Dec. 16, 1893,) together with a schedule of the real and personal property belonging to the city, and a statement of the city debt and debts due the city.
I have audited the books of the city treasurer, city clerk and clerk of the overseers of the poor, and find the same correct and properly vouched.
The various balances in the treasurer's ledger are correct and agree with his balance sheet as rendered Dec. 15, 1894.
I have examined all securities belonging to the city in possession of the treasurer, including the sinking fund investments and find them correctly represented in his annual report.
I have verified the accounts of the collector of taxes, including the amount committed to him by the
So
ANNUAL REPORTS.
assessors, the abatements made by them during the year, and the amount collected.
I examined all bills passed by the committee on accounts, as presented weekly and monthly, and found the same correctly cast, properly approved and accurately placed upon the books.
The city debt has been increased during the year $8.675.57.
The overdraft for the year is $22,175.92.
Very respectfully, WILLIAM H. WELCH, City Auditor.
The balance in the treasury Dec. 16, 1893, was . $ 29,716 02
Total amount received by the treasurer from all sources from Dec. 16, 1893, to Dec. 15, 1894, as speci- fied below 488,390 13 Making a total of. $518.106 15
Total amount expended and ordered to be paid from the treasury from Dec. 16, 1893, to Dec. 15, 1894, (including $7109 expended in 1893) as specified below ... .
The balance in the treasury Dec. 15,
$500.849 32
... IS94. is. $ 17.256 83
81
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS IN AGGREGATE AS CREDITED TO THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS.
Poor department. $ 4,236 51 .
School department . 1,087 68
Highway department. 250 67
Incidentals . 249 68
Public property . 273 17
Police department.
792 13
Lighting streets and public buildings. 4 60
Interest on overdue taxes dividends B. & M. R. R. stock. 2,544 00
$ 2, 188 78
" bank deposit 596 67
Public library.
153 75
Sidewalks and edgestones 1,060 20
Notes payable
248,467 73 6,298 00
State of Massachusetts, State aid, chap. 301 .....
66 66 Military aid, chap. 279 ...
436 24
Burial expenses, chap. 395 . 35 00
Bromfield fund
400 00
Liquor licenses
22,231 50
Ashes and rubbish
27 45
Non-resident bank tax, city banks ... $3,919 08
66 " State of Mass .. 3,042 44
6,961 52
Simpson fund .
900 00
Income, corporation taxes, State of
Mass . . $ 24,240 31
Income, foreign shipping, State of
Mass. 1,663 45
25,903 76
Sewerage construction
3 55
Parks or public grounds . 30 00
Soldiers' relief, chap. 447
458 77
County of Essex, seal account. 48 00
Amount carried forward $325,639 36
11
5,329 45
S2
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward. .$325,639 36
Dog licenses.
804 72
Betterment assessments
3,930 20
Tax of 1891
66
10,015 26
1893
31,296 27
66
IS94 115,380 32
156,697 85
City Hall
1,047 50
Burial lots
255 50
Commissioners of Atkinson common
15 00
Making a total of
$488,390 13
EXPENDITURES IN AGGREGATES AS CHARGED TO THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS.
Poor department. $ 23,203 65
School department 27,463 35
Fire department .
9,150 25
Highway department. 25,178 29
Incidentals .
11,877 46
Public property.
5,907 38
Police department.
14,010 65
Lighting streets and public buildings
12,256 45
Interest
21,937 05
Public Library.
2,864 82
Sidewalks and edgestones
13,661 23
Newburyport bridge.
855 26
Essex Merrimnac bridge 167 15
Culverts 1,887 59
Notes payable .
239,275 00
State of Massachusetts, State aid, chap. 301 ...... 6,758 00
Military aid, chap. 279 ... 969 48
66
Armory rents. . 581 66
66
Burial expense, chap. 395 .. 205 00
.$418,209 72 Amount carried forward.
1892 .$ 6 00
83
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward. $418,209 72
Bromfield fund
560 61
Liquor licenses, 25 per cent to the State 5,557 87
Fuel.
593 73
Salaries
9,043 67
Board of Health
904 67
Printing
1,100 20
Sinking fund commissioners
11,000 00
Ashes and rubbish
1,095 60
Water supply
8,102 50
State tax.
9,360 00
County tax .
11,112 83
Non-resident bank tax, State of Mass
5,707 96
Simpson fund .
900 00
Income
3,302 53
Memorial day
150 00
Sewerage, (construction)
10,858 42
Sewerage (maintenance) . 193 96
Parks or public grounds. 453 14
Soldiers' relief, chap. 447 . 2,301 06
County of Essex (seal account) 48 00
Commissioners of Atkinson common
292 85
Making a total of.
$500,849 32
CITY DEBT.
The amount of the net city debt Dec.
16, 1893, was .. $388,790 24 The city debt has been increased dur- ing the year 1894 as follows : By the amount of a note issued to the order of J. V. Felker, city treas- urer, dated Dec. 20, 1893, payable in one year, with interest at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum, temporary loan. 4,000 00
Amount carried forward .... $392,790 24
St
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward. . . . $392,740 24 By the amount of a note issued to the order of D. A. Whittier and C. A. Whittier, guardians, dated Jan. 15, 1894, payable in one year, with interest at the rate of 334 per cent. per annum, temporary loan ...... 9,000 00 By the amount of a note issued to the order of J. V. Felker, city treas- ยท urer, dated Jan. 15, 1894, payable in one year, with interest at the rate of 334 per cent. per annum, temporary loan. 9,000 00
By the amount of a note issued to the order of J. V. Felker, city treas- urer, dated Jan. 24, 1894, payable in one year, with interest at the rate of 334 per cent. per annum, temporary loan.
By the amount of a note issued to the order of J. V. Felker, city treas- urer, dated Jan. 25, 1894, payable in one year, with interest at the rate of 334 per cent. per annum, temporary loan ..
By the amount of a note issued to the order of J. V. Felker, city treas- urer, dated Jan. 31, 1894, payable in eight months, with interest at the rate of 3 14 per cent. per annum, temporary loan. ..
By the amount of a note issued to the order of J. V. Felker, city treas- urer, dated Feb. 10, 1894, payable in eight months, with interest at the rate of 314 per cent. per annum. Temporary loan. .
4,000 00
1,000 00
25,000 00
15,000 00
Amount carried forward. ... $455,790 24
85
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward. . . . $455,790 24 By the amount of a note issued to the order of A. W. Greenleaf, trustee, dated Feb. 16, 1894, payable in one year, with interest at the rate of 334 per cent per annum. Tem- porary loan .
By the amount of a note issued to the order of Dunscomb and Jennison, dated March 9, 1894, payable in six months, with interest at the rate of 234 per cent per annum. Temporary loan
By the amount of a note issued to the order of J. V. Felker, city treas- urer, dated March 15, 1894, pay- able in six months, with interest at the rate of 3 per cent per an- num. Railroad loan. .. 74,000
By the amount of a note issued to the order of the Institution for Sav- ings in Newburyport and its Vicin- ity, dated Sept. 15, 1894, payable in one year, with interest at the rate of 31/2 per cent per annum. Railroad loan .
By the amount of a note issued to the order of George E. Stickney, treasurer, dated Nov. 19, 1894, payable in four months, with in- terest at the rate of 312 per cent per annum. Temporary loan ... By the amount of a note issued to the order of J. V. Felker, city treas- urer, dated Nov. 26, 1894, paya- ble in three months, with interest at the rate of 3 per cent per annum. Temporary loan Making a total of.
1,467 73
10,000 00
74,000 00
10,000 00
12,000 00
$637,257 97
S6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward. $637,257 97
There have been paid on account of the city debt during the year 1894, notes as follows :
To the order of J. V. Felker, city treasurer, note dated Jan. 14, 1893, which matured Jan. 14, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum. Tem- porary loan . $ To the order of D. A. Whittier and C.
A. Whittier, executors, note dated Jan. 2, 1893, which matured Jan. 2, 1894, bearing interest, at the rate of 4 per cent per annum. Tem- porary loan. .
To the order of J. V. Felker, city treas- urer, demand note, dated July 18, 1893, which was paid Jan. 15, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum. Temporary loan .
To the order of J. V. Felker, city treasurer, demand note, dated July 24, 1893, which was paid Jan. 24, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 5 per cent per annum. Temporary loan. .
To the order of J. V. Felker, city treasurer, demand note, dated July 25, 1893, which was paid Jan. 27, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum. Temporary loan. 800 00
9,000 00
9,000 00
1,000 00
3,000 00
Amounts carried forward. . . . $ 22,800 00 $637,257 97
87
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward. . . . $22,800 00 $637,257 97 To the order of J. V. Felker, city treasurer, demand note, dated July 26, 1893, which was paid March 12, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent per an- num. Temporary loan ........ 600 00 To the order of J. V. Felker, city treasurer, demand note dated Nov. 1, 1893, which was paid Dec. 20, 1893, bearing interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum. Tem- porary loan. . 2,500 00
To the order of J. V. Felker, city treasurer, demand note, dated Nov. 1, 1893, which was paid Apr. 11, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 4 per cent per anuum. Temporary loan
To the order of J. V. Felker, city treasurer, note dated Nov. 15, 1893, which matured March 15, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum. Rail- road loan
To the order of the sinking fund com- missioners, demand note, dated Dec. 13, 1893, which was paid Dec. 7, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum. Temporary loan
To the order of J. V. Felker, city treasurer, note dated, Jan. 31, 1894, which matured Sept. 29, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 3 14 per cent per annum. Tempo- rary loan .. 25,000 00
4,000 00
74,000 00
6,375 00
Amounts carried forward. .. . $135,275 00 $637,257 97
SS
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amounts brought forward. . . $135,275 00 $637,257 97 To the order of J. V. Felker, city treasurer, note dated Feb. 10, 1894, which matured Oct. 9, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 314 per cent per annum. Temporary loan
To the order of Dunscomb and Jenni- son, note dated March 9, 1894, which matured Sept. 8, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 234 per cent per annum. Tem- porary loan.
To the order of J. V. Felker, city treasurer, note dated March 15, 1894, which matured Sept. 15, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 3 per cent per annum. Rail- road loan
To the order of the Institution for Sav- ings in Newburyport and its Vicinity, note dated Oct. 5, 1886, which matured Oct. 5, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 31/2 per cent per annum. Water loan To the order of the Institution for Savings in Newburyport and its Vicinity, note dated Oct. 5, 1886, which matured Oct. 5, 1894, bearing interest at the rate of 31/2 per cent per annum. Bridge loan
15,000 00
10,000 00
74,000 00
2,000 00
3,000 00
Amounts carried forward. . . $239,275 00 $637,257 97
89
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward. . . $239,275 00 $637,257 97 Sundry debts due from the city Dec.
15, 1894, less than was due Dec. 16, 1893, viz : 1893 Bromfield fund $145 04 Commissioners of Atkinson
common
468 84
Making a total of $613 88
I894 Commissioners of Atkinson common. 190 99
Difference.
422 89
Sinking funds and other available as-
sets, Dec. 15, 1894, in excess of amount Dec. 16, 1893, viz :
IS93 (See schedule) ..... $134,848 64
1894 (See schedule) . 134,942 91
Difference
94 27
Making a total of . $239,792 16
Net debt Dec. 15, 1894 $397,465 81
Net debt Dec. 16, 1893 388,790 24
Increase of the net debt of the city for 1894 .
$
8,675 57
CITY DEBT AND ASSETS.
DEC. 15, 1894.
DEBT.
City bonds (general loan) 4 per cent. . $218,000 00 City bonds (sewerage loan) 4 per cent 95,000 00 Notes payable (water loan) 31/2 per cent 4,000 00
Amount carried forward. ... $317,000 00
12
90
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward . . . . $317,000 00 Notes payable ( bridge loan) 31/2 per cent 6,000 00
15,000 00
Notes payable (ten year loan) 4 per cent Notes payable (City Railroad loan, so called, now secured by 424 shares B. & M. R. R., common stock) 31/2 per cent.
74,000 00
Notes payable (temporary loan) 3 and 4 per cent. .
50,467 73
Notes payable (trust funds) 4 and 41/2 per cent. 69,750 00
Due commissioners of Atkinson com-
mon .
190 99
Gross city debt.
$532,408 72
ASSETS.
Taxes of 1892 uncollected. $ 2,349 00
1893 66
13,996 70
1894 66
44,349 97
Betterment assessments uncollected ...
8,241 70
Due from the state for State aid, chap. 301 .
6,218 00
Due from the state for Military . aid, chap. 279 .
454 74
Due from the state for burial expense, chap. 395.
205 00
Due from the state for armory rents. .
112 50
Sinking funds.
41,758 47
Cash on hand Dec. 15, 1891
17,256 83
134,942 91
Total net debt as above stated Dec. 15, 1894. . $397,465 SI
The city owns four hundred and twenty-four shares of Boston & Maine railroad common stock, which has a market value this fifteenth day of December, 1894, of one hundred and sixty dollars per share, making the stock worth $67,840. This has not
91
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
been figured as an asset in making up the net debt of the city. If deducted it would make the net debt of the city $329,625.81.
UNDRAWN AND OVERDRAWN BALANCES
DEC. 15, 1894.
UNDRAWN.
OVERDRAWN.
Poor department
$ 32 86
School department .
624 33
Fire department.
349 75
Public property
668 79
Fuel.
206 27
Abatements, tax of 1893
263 0I
Parks and public grounds
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