USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1895 > Part 18
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One thing in particular to which I wish to call your attention, and that 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 to beimmediately suspended thereafter.
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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 pli- able, 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 mak- ing 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,
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
has been assessed upon abutters; there remains un- collected, $5,846.38.
In view of the great amount of work accom- plished, I would recommend that no more enforced improvement 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 re-organize 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 deport- ment and character command the respect and es- teem 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
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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
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be 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 re-organization, and with the advice and consent of the board of aldermen, this shall be accomplished.
WATER QUESTION.
The 10 years having elapsed, when under the act of 1880 the city was given the option of pur- chasing the water plant, this question was present- ed to the people. Since that time it has in various phases occupied their attention to the exclusion of other important 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 counsel 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
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honor and 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 authorities excessive, the necessary steps shall be taken to protect the city's interests.
PARKS.
During the past few years considerable atten- tion has been given to the development of our parks, and with but one exception they have been greatly improved and now present a fine appearance, add- ing 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 "Atkinson common," containing some 13 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
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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 large- ly increased, owing to a requirement by the under- writers to keep and maintain at the Central Fire Station an extra pair of horses and one permanent fireman. It was deemed advisable to comply with same to prevent a large increase in the rates of in- surance.
The machines and appliances used in the ex- tinguishment 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 con- tributes much to the feeling of security and confi-
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dence the people have in the ability of our firemen to successfully 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 pro- vide the means this year, I am unable to say.
We may feel assured, however, that the commit- tee, composed as it is of citizens devoted to the in- terests and welfare of our city, will not urge its construction unless it is a public necessity.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
This department is controlled by a board of overseers who have full power to expend the ap- propriation to be provided for by the city council. As their report has been submitted and approved by you, it will be unnecessary for me to repeat.
I feel compelled to say, however, that the board is composed of members who have demonstrated their abilities to successfully manageits affairs, and
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to insure for our city a department that is second to none.
RECOMMENDATION.
In view of the increasing burdens which are be- ing imposed by the state upon the city clerk, in addition to his arduous duties in connection with municipal affairs, I would recommend for your con- sideration the expediency of electing an assistant city clerk, who will be qualified to assume the du- ties of this office in case of a prolonged absence of the present official, by reason of sickness or other causes.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion permit me to say, that as there is al- ways more or less concern in regard to the policy of the incoming administration in dealing with the illicit liquor traffic, and enforcement of other laws affecting the morality of our city, I feel compelled to define mine.
While I am opposed to the present monopolistic method of legalizing the sale of liquor, yet, as the sworn servant of the people, I shall do all in my power to prevent and suppress the illegal sale there- of.
The enforcement of all other laws which will in
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any way tend to elevate the morals of our city and place her in the van of all the cities of our common- wealth, shall receive my earnest support.
And now, gentlemen of the city council, as we are about to enter upon our duties, let us do so with a firm resolution to work in harmony, keeping in view the welfare of our city and the success of our administration.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
CITY GOVERNMENT, 1895 .. 5
1896. 425
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS, 1895 . 19
1896 44I
OFFICE HOURS OF CITY OFFICIALS, ETC
3
REPORTS :
Board of Assessors 261
Board of Health . 303
Bridge Tender 251 Chief Engineer 227
City Auditor 63
City Marshal 255 City Physician 223
City Registrar 285
City Solicitor 245
City Treasurer IOI Overseers of the Poor 219
Public Library 335
School Committee. 361
Sinking Fund Commissioners.
95
Surveyor of Highways. 315
Tax Collector
II2
Trust Funds
267
JURY LIST 327
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ANNUAL REPORTS
DETAILED ACCOUNT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES : PAGE
Abatement of Taxes II4
Armory Account II5
Aslies and Rubbish I16
Board of Health . 118
Bridges and Culverts · I20
Bromfield Fund
City Bonds. I24
125
Fire Department
I26
Fuel Department .
I31
Highway Department 132
Incidental Department. · 144 Interest Department . 165
Lighting Streets and Public Buildings 167
Memorial Day
168
Notes Payable 69
Parks and Public Grounds. I71
Police Department 173
Poor Department .
. 176
Printing Department . 183
Public Library .
183
Public Property 185
Salaries of City Officers 190
School Department . 192
Sewerage (Construction) . 199
Sewerage (Maintenance) 200
Sidewalks and Edgestones
.201
State of Mass., Armory Rent 204 State of Mass., Military Aid 205 Soldiers' Relief . 205
Water Supply
206
Miscellaneous.
·207
NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 2128 00338 660 5
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