USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1904 > Part 2
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To add to our already large expense, the Davenport
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ANNUAL. REPORTS
school, damaged by fire December last, will cost in the neighborhood of $3500 to repair it, if modern heating and ventilating methods are to be added, and provisions for the payment of these repairs must be made by the city council of this year. The pupils from this school are pleasantly and comfortably housed by the courtesy and kindness of the trustees of the Methodist church, who for their favorable consideration of our request deserve much praise.
TREES
During the past year much attention was given to pro- tecting our beautiful trees from the ravages of the pests now so common to this section of the country. The joint special committee having the matter in charge devoted much time to the care of the trees, and the results were of such a nature as to demonstrate the thoroughness of their work. The amount expended last year was $1499.01. I recommend that as far as consistent with the preservation of the trees, the Bromfield fund be utilized for such pur- pose.
PARKS
Our park system as comprehended by the Bartlet Mall, Cushing park and Brown square is the source of much pleasure to our citizens. Under the direction of the pres- ent board of park commissioners the first three named have been much improved and enjoyed by all our people. The Atkinson common is still being improved and will always remain a striking example of the progressiveness
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and public spirit of those connected with the organization who first conceived the idea of its improvement.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF
The appropriation for this department was $4000, in- come $375.46, disbursements $4852.71, showing an over- draft of $477.25. During the last session of the legisla- ture a bill was introduced whose import was to cause the state to assume the liability for the amount expended un- der this head. The fairness of such a proposition will be readily acknowledged when thought is given to the fact that there are communities of ten times the assessed value of Newburyport which do not pay one-fourth as much out in soldiers' relief.
We today are paying, and will continue to pay (as we should), the cost of being patriotic during the "dark days." The communities whose prosperity was builded on the sacrifices made by those men whose rights this ap- propriation protects should be made to bear a part of the burden.
The bill was referred to the next legislature. I recom- mend the passage of such an order or resolution as will place before our representatives in both branches of the legislature the wishes of the city council in the matter.
POOR DEPARTMENT
This is a department that as far as my personal obser- vation extends is faithfully managed. The appropriation
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for this department last year was $21,000, its income was $5409. 16, making a total credit of $26,409.16. Its expen- ditures were $26,492.08, showing an overdraft of $82.92. Out of its appropriation the sum of $10,000.00 was paid for maintenance of the insane poor. Beginning with Jan- uary I of this year the state assumes the care of all insane people; this in itself will be a saving to the city, and I feel safe in saying that the appropriation for this department may be reduced $7000.
SEWERS
The system throughout the city is reported to be in good condition, and during the year many property owners have availed themselves of its advantages. The report of the superintendent fully sets forth the additions to the sys- tem.
The financial affairs of this department seem to be well managed, as from a glance at the report of the year, I find that from an appropriation of $650, $525 of which is for salary of the superintendent, there is an unexpended bal- ance of $11.87. With no claim to originality in this sug- gestion, I cannot but feel, with the limited time called for to perform the duties of superintendent, that this is a posi- tion whose duties might well be combined with those of the superintendent of highways, and I so recommend.
HIGHWAYS
The appropriation for this department was $16,000, its income amounted to $2807.05 and its expenditures $18,-
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322.75, showing an undrawn balance of $484.52. As the best evidence of the work done, the following streets have been in part or whole treated to a top dressing of crushed stone : Titcomb, Fair, State, Purchase, Ashland, High, Winter, Spring, Boardman, Merrimac, Parker streets, and Curzon Mill road. This necessitated the use of about 2500 tons of crushed stone at a cost of $2852.49, with a labor cost of $4121.32.
As this is a department that must be considered when curtailment is absolutely necessary, as at the present time, its needs have been carefully considered, and I find that the running expenses of this department amount to about $6200.
Under these conditions I recommend that $12,000 be ap- propriated, which, with its income of about $2500, making a total of $14,500, is, in my judgment, all that the city can afford to spend upon its highways under present cir- cumstances.
The details of this department have been fuily set forth in the published report of the superintendent.
THE CLAM LAW
By an overwhelming vote was adopted the law placing in the hands of the board of aldermen the authority to make such regulations as will best protect the interests of our own citizens. I recommend the earliest possible at- tention to the matter, and the adoption of such legislation as will remedy the present unsatisfactory conditions.
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INDUSTRIAL
From an industrial standpoint, all reports confirm the statement that we are indeed prosperous. During the past year our city has been fortunate in the acquisition of several new industries. The rapid assimilation and the demonstrated willingness of those who represent these different industries to become a part and parcel of our city in the broadest and fullest sense are matters pleasing to all our citizens. It can but show plainly to all the desira- bility of some trade organization that will at all times be prepared, through its membership, to place the advan- tages of our city as a manufacturing center before those seeking new locations, and when these advantages are taken into consideration from a manufacturer's standpoint they are unsurpassed. We have excellent water and sew- erage systems, a fire department the peer of any call de- partment in New England, well-kept and at night well- lighted streets, good schools and churches of all denomi- nations, and a plentiful supply of skilled and unskilled labor. These, coupled with the fact that we are on the seaboard, must of necessity operate in our favor when pre- sented by any organization representative of our business interests, and I trust at some day not far distant, to see such an organization perfected.
PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE
To this committee falls the work of caring for our public buildings. I would ask this committee, when appointed,
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to exercise all possible economy in its expenditures. Dur- ing the past year the schools, and nearly every other pub- lic building, have received needed repairs and improve- ments, and under these conditions will not require any great amount expended upon them this year. I therefore recommend that this appropriation be reduced $1000, be- ing firmly of the opinion that such an amount-viz: $2800 -with an estimated income of $1500, making a total credit of $4300, will be amply sufficient to cover the expenses of this department if care is taken in spending the money.
THE HIGH SCHOOL
This is a subject which has taken a prominent place in the discussions of the two last years, and it is, without doubt, a matter for much congratulation that the price of land and building was settled upon without the uncertain costs of litigation.
At a conference consisting of a joint special committee or the city council, the trustees of the Putnam fund and the mayor, a price-$37,500 with interest from time of tak- ing-was agreed upon, and later on received the endorse- ment of both branches of the city council. By authority of the city council bonds were issued, and from the pro- ceeds thereof payment made for the property and all claims thereon.
The cost of the building and its equipment is as fol- lows :
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Building and land .$37,500 00
Interest from June 5. 1902, to December 2, 1903. 3,385 01
Rebuilding and equipment. 45,286 17
Total $86,171 18
The above amount has been paid by an issue of 312 per cent bonds of $35,000, from which a premium of $1115.45 has been received ; $50 from the sale of the boiler ; $63.16 rebate on freight of school furniture, and a second issue of bonds, in amount $50,000, at 31/2 per cent; which was sold at par, and which sale is said to have been favorable to the city, a total of $80,228,58, leaving and unexpended balance of $57.40,
In the furnishing and equipping of this building, while the city's interests have been safeguarded by the greatest possible economy, nothing of an inferior quality has been introduced, and, though from an architectural standpoint it may not meet with universal favor, it has been pro- nounced a model building for the purposes for which it was designed.
NEW BRIDGE
The bridge over the Merrimac is now complete and is considered a miodel structure in every particular. The cost of the same has not yet been apportioned, but it is assumed that Newburyport's part of the cost will be about $50,000, which will call for a payment this year of about $3500. And in connection with the payment of the bonds and interest thereon, it has been suggested to the county
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
commissioners that the plan formulated and adopted by the state relative to the payment of the cost of abolishing grade crossings be adopted, viz: that the county assume full responsibility for the loan, apportioning and collect- ing each year the amount due from each city or town upon which the levy is made. This plan, which has the ap- proval of many financial men about town, would keep the city debt so much less, would possibly be a factor to the city's interest when called upon to borrow money, and would obviate the necessity of creating a sinking fund to meet the payment of the bonds at maturity, Should this suggestion be considered favorably, I will ask the city council to pass such resolutions as will officially call the attention of the county commissioners to the matter. In view of the condition of this bridge and other matters per- taining to the department, I recommend that this appro- priation be reduced $1000.
I cannot refrain at this time from making open acknowl- edgment of the fair and generous treatment which the city has received from the present board of county com- missioners.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The high standard of excellence for which this depart- ment has ever stood is still its record. The personnel of its membership is responsible for its well-merited reputa- tion for efficiency and good discipline. During the past year nearly every piece of apparatus connected with the department needed and received extensive repairs, until
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today it can be safely said that the department was never in better condition, and while this department shows an overdraft of $715.80, it was made unavoidable by bills contracted by the previous committee and paid by the committee of 1903. And after a careful estimate, made in conjunction with the chairman of last year's committee and the chief engineer, I believe that this appropriation can be reduced $1000 without in any sense impairing the efficiency or usefulness of a department to which we owe so much, and I so recommend.
THE WATER CASE
Nearly a year ago an arrangement was effected be- tween the respective counsel for the city and the water company, by which the company agreed to accept pay- mient of the award, with a sum by way of interest substan- tially less than the full amount claimed. This would have put the city on the most favorable footing in the matter of interest, as at that time the city bonds could have been issued at 31/2 per cent or less, and was believed by the best judges to be advantageous for the city. In- stead of accepting this arrangement the city council en- gaged in controversy over it, and before this was· ended the bond market became so depressed that the city lost the opportunity to issue the bond at a favorable rate, 110 bids being received when they were finally offered. By this action of the council a substantial sum of the city's money was practically thrown away, to say nothing of the injury to its credit. Later in the year various orders
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
looking toward a settlement with the company were adopted in the council, some of which I could not ap- prove, as they seemed to be more in the interest of the company than of the city, and it appeared to be poor pol- icy for the city to put itself in the position of a suppliant to the company for a settlement which the company had not openly invited and might not accept, especially as all the results of the litigation thus far have been in the city's favor. Such mistakes can be, and ought to be, avoided hereafter. The whole subject is now put aside for the time being, by the prospect that the case will soon be reached and disposed of at the present term of the supreme court of the United States.
STREET LIGHTING
This is a department that, from the large amount of money necessary to its maintenance, deserve careful con- sideration. I am firmly of the opinion that under no cir- cumstances or conditions should a long-time agreement or contract be entered upon, for if the standard of American genius, higher today than ever, is to be further developed; if the studies of advancement in the electrical world dur- ing the past decade are indicative of one fact, it is that the enlightened unselfishness that has prompted the wizards of electrical research to ignore personal comforts, and in many cases proper financial returns for their great achieve- ments, will from time to time bring forth from wonderland such improvements and inventions as will lessen the cost of production; then our city should not be so embarrassed
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by agreement or contract as to be unable to demand and receive such benefits and advantages as may accrue. And these demands to be made upon a corporation whose weight of obligation the city discharges with never-failing regularity in its approval of the monthly bill of this con- pany, rendered with commendable promptness and I trust with equal accuracy.
The question of all-night street lighting has been much discussed during the three weeks preceding the city election. The agitation upon this subject is significant but, notwithstanding the fact that it has been emphatically advocated, I fail to see how, under existing financial condi- tions, the expenditures of this department can, in fairness to the taxpayers, be increased. In common with all citi- zens, I recognize the value, from the standpoint of conve- nience and possible protection from crime, of all-night lighting, but this is a strict business proposition, and we should assume no responsibilities we are unable to carry at this time.
This company today, in electric and gas prices, are practising little less than extortion in the prices charged. During the hours that we are lighted we are as well- lighted a city as there is in the commonwealth, but we are paying for it, and at prices eminently satisfactory to the company. There should, in my judgment, be a readjust- ment of prices between the company and the city. And if the company is as fair with the city as the city is and has been generous with the company, we will be able to an- nounce all-night lighing at such a figure as will make no stated or important raise in the tax rate.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Before passing from this subject I wish to call the at- tention of this company to two facts, and one is, that the poor quality of gas furnished its patrons, non-competitive product that it is, should be made better. The second is, that your price is too high. Our sister municipality, Haverhill, buys gas at $1.00 per 1000 feet; your price is $1.50 per Icco feet. If Haverhill's price is fair, Newbury- port, with the great advantage of water transportation, effecting thereby a large saving in the price of coal, is paying that which is inequitable and grossly exorbitant.
Can it be possible that the franchise of this company has been capitalized, and that the people, whose free-will offering it was and whose patronage has made it valuable, are being charged to make it a dividend payer?
LIQUOR LICENSES
By a vote as decisive as it was unexpected, in some quarters, the people have declared in favor of no-license for a year, beginning May Ist. Since the declaration of that vote many and varied are the causes ascribed for the change from that of last year. The ideas expressed are assumptions purely, and these discussions, particu- larly the one that would make my humble personality a factor, I refuse to have an interest, for the memories of one post-mortem examination of election returns in which I had a striking interest and the result of which was, in all candor, as strikingly unsatisfactory, firmly convinced me that the retrospect in matters political is useless, and
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that our time could be more profitably spent in preparing for the problems of the future.
The sacredness of your trust and mine cannot fail to be comprehended by any man amongst us who, as he takes his oath of office, is sincere in subscribing his affirmation as his Maker's name is pronounced. This oath of office, backed by the rugged purpose to hold to a strict accounta- bility all those to whom the enforcement of the law is re- ferred, strengthened by the intelligent co-operation of all good citizens, which is now invited, will be of unspeak- able value to the administration that is now entering upon its term of office, absolutely free of entanglements or alliances, and devoid of animosities or personal preju- dices.
With no friends to reward by protection, no enemies to punish by persecution, repudiating everything that savors of the hysterical or sensational, its one hope on this par- ticular subject is that it may be blessed with a successful outcome in an honest effort to enforce the law.
COMMON VICTUALLER LICENSES
I cannot but feel it an imperative duty to urge upon the members of the board of aldermen the greatest care in the granting of the above-named licenses. If the police are to be aided in the enforcement of the law, the dictates of pru- dence and fairness demand that every application should receive the most searching investigation before being granted, and all such applications tainted with the specu-
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
lative purpose of being a cloak for anything but what the law designs should be refused.
POLICE
Inasmuch as to the police department is assigned the duty of protecting the lives and the property of the com- munity, then for an assurance of proper guardianship we must and will call for activity and vigilance upon the part of those upon whom that responsibility devolves. The administration of any official connected with the enforce- ment of law and order, no matter how highly creditable, will not be free from criticism, but when that administra- tion has the approval of the people who, after thorough and careful investigation, confer upon it their cordial en- dorsement, it is fully prepared to meet the disapproval that malicious envy and disappointment so often prompt.
This department during the past year has been free from breaches of discipline, and should and must so con- tinue. Accurate and comprehensive work will be looked for during the coming year, to which no suspicion must be attached, but absolute equality and justice must be dealt out to all those with whom this department is called upon to meet. The duties and official movements of this department might easily be generalized, but undoubtedly there will be looked for, upon the part of many, specific mention of the liquor law and its enforcement.
The discipline and good feeling in the department is of such an order as to call for harmonious, temperate and sincere action upon the part of all the officers.
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Plain and unmistakable is it made known that, while no attempt will be made to inflict needless or profitless wounds upon suspected parties, no condition that justifies honest criticism of any officer will be tolerated, and a laxity in line of duty must be taken as evidence of collu- sion, a condition which is so distasteful and repugnant to all citizens as to seem an impossibility, but if created will be met by heroic measures upon the part of the adminis- tration.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
This institution is one of the prides of our city. The library and the free reading room, with their almost un- limited supply of wholesome and inspiring reading, re- ceive and merit the unmeasured approval of the commu- nity. It is a happy thing to record that these institutions, through the generosity of friends, are assured of a perma- nency.
In conclusion, gentlemen of the city council, after hav- ing commented upon matters pertaining to the proper con- duct of the business of our city, may I suggest that during deliberations of the coming year, when the perplexing problems now unforseen develop, service to the city, and not to the individual, be our aim; may the duties and obli- gations which we have assumed be our incentive to high- est effort, to give to our beloved city such comprehensive attention as will redound to the credit of all, and which will result in a sound, progressive and business-like ad- ministration.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT, December, 1904.
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 Treas- urer and Collector and the City Auditor for the financial year ending December 17, 1904.
The books and accounts of the City Treasurer and Collector have been examined, under direction of the committee, by the City Audi- tor, and found by him to be correct and properly vouched.
For the committee,
JAMES F. CARENS, Chairman.
-
Fifty-Fourth Annual Report OF
The City Auditor
FIFTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CITY AUDITOR
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT, AUDITOR'S OFFICE, December 17th, 1904.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE:
GENTLEMEN,-In conformity with the requirements of the city ordinances, I herewith submit the fifty-fourth an- nual report of the receipts and expenditures of the City of Newburyport, for the financial year ending December 17, 1904, together with a statement of the city debt and debts due the city, and a schedule of the real and personal prop- erty belonging to the city.
I audited the books of the city treasurer and found them correct and properly vouched.
I examined all securities belonging to the city, in pos- session of the city treasurer, including the sinking fund investments and trust funds of the Newburyport public library, and found the same properly accounted for. They
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ANNUAL REPORTS
are in deposit boxes in the Newburyport Five Cents Sav- ings Bank.
I verified the accounts of the collector of taxes, includ- ing the amount committed to him by the assessors, the abatements made by them during the year, and the amount collected.
I audited the books of the treasurer of the board of water commissioners for the year ending November 30, 1904, and found the same correct and properly vouched.
I examined the cash account, kept by the cityclerk, of all moneys received by him as fees or otherwise, (except dog licenses), during the year ending December 17, 1904, and found the amount to be $489.30. Of this amount the sum of $398 has been paid the city treasurer and a receipt taken therefor.
I examined the cash account kept by the city messenger as agent for rental of City hall, of all moneys received by him during the year ending December 17, 1904, and found the amount to be $1, 163.00, all of which has been paid the city treasurer and a receipt taken therefor.
I examined the cash account kept by the sealer of weights and measures, of all moneys received by him dur- ing the year ending December 17, 1904, and found the amount to be $112.85. Of this amount the sum of $101.00 has been paid the city treasurer and a receipt taken there- for.
I examined the books of the clerk of the overseers of the poor, and found that the bills as approved correspond with the payments made by the city treasurer.
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CITY AUDITOR
I examined all bills passed by the committee on ac- counts, as presented weekly and monthly, and found the same correctly cast and accurately placed upon the books.
The books of the city treasurer show an increase of the city debt, during the year ending December 17, 1904, of $277,131.86. The overdraft for the year 1904 is $22,753,95.
Very respectfully, WILLIAM H. WELCH, City Auditor.
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