USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1907 > Part 2
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Our streets and sidewalks are in a very poor condition, but it is not my intention to unduly criticise this depart- ment. However, it cannot be claimed that the streets are in the deplorable condition we find them today from lack of money, not if the expenditure in this department is com- pared with that of other years. Our highways have cost the city the past 12 months ending December 15, $20,569 .- 69. We must see to it that we get the worth of the city's money expended in this department the ensuing year.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The public schools of the city I believe compare favor- ably with any city in the commonwealth, especially as re- gards management and efficient teachers. The accommo- dations furnished in some instances may not be as satisfac- tory as our citizens desire, but we are obliged to rest con- tent until such a time as the city's resources will permit the erection of a new schoolhouse, which I feel is much needed.
The appropriations for school purposes are constantly being increased, and the expenditures keep ahead of our
26
ANNUAL REPORTS
means, with the result that we have to face a deficit at the close of each financial year. The overdraft for 1906 show- ing $2,934.95, the total expenditure for this department ending December 15 being $40,979.96.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Much no doubt can be said in praise of this department. It is worthy of our commendation from the point of view of efficiency. The department as a whole I believe to be in good condition. The annual expenditures have been con- stantly increasing during the past 10 years, and possibly the service is that much better, but as to that I cannot say. As the months come and go, I trust by observation and experience to be in a position to learn more of this depart- ment, which is so important a factor in our municipal affairs. The total expenditure of this department for the year ending December 15, 1906, is $11,119.92.
PUBLIC LIGHTING
The cost of lighting streets and public buildings is too large, and the expense is ever on the increase. It does not appear that the city is getting the service it should. For years an agreement or contract, based upon a so-called "moon schedule," has been the rule, but it is far from sat- isfactory to the people. No matter what the appropria- tion, it is a fact that this department of our city always has an overdraft. In 1905 nearly $600. Last year, 1906, $1,332. We are paying too much for what we re- ceive, and I believe this matter should have our urgent and immediate attention. About a year ago, an attempt was made to force a five-year contract upon the city with
27
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
the gas and electric light company and it came danger- ously near being accomplished.
There is supposed to be a system of keeping account of all lights not burning when the lighting schedule is on, but for what purpose I cannot explain. It is not ac- counted for, as far as I can learn, in the settlement of the monthly bills. Not only is the city paying too much for lighting purposes, but I believe the people are not getting the quality they should, while the price is exorbitant. Under existing conditions the city should, for municipal purposes, demand better quality of both gas and electric lighting, at a reduced price. If a movement was started to have the public better served by the gas and electric light company, both as regards price and quality, it would be a worthy attempt to serve the people.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
The public library and reading room need no words of praise or commendation from me. It is all - yes, it is even better than we could reasonably expect in a city the size of ours, and were it not for the liberal donations be- stowed upon this beneficent work in the community we would have reason to envy other cities in the common- wealth. Our city can well take pride in the possession of one of the finest libraries and reading rooms in the coun- try.
POOR DEPARTMENT
I regret very much the stigma cast upon this depart- ment of our city. It has left the impression upon the minds of too many that the poor department is badly mis- managed. . The investigation attempted a few months ago
-
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ANNUAL REPORTS
and so abruptly closed has not been forgotten, and while I have no information at present with which to enlighten you upon this subject, I assure you that this department will have my personal attention as soon as 1 am more fully acquainted with the details of our municipal affairs. The cost of the department for the year ending December 15, 1906, was $15,000.
WATER DEPARTMENT
The statutes under which the city is now operating its water plant were passed in several different years. Some portions have become obsolete, and in several important particulars the meaning of the statutes is a matter of con- siderable doubt. The respective powers of the water com- missioners and the city council are not clearly defined, and the purposes to which the water rates can be legally de- voted are not satisfactorily expressed. Furthermore, as the law now stands, the water bonds which annually ma- ture, to the extent of twelve thousand dollars, have to be paid out of the money raised by general taxation. It is at least open to question whether a portion of this expense ought not to be met out of the water rates. This matter can be wisely determined only after a careful considera- tion of the expenses and disbursements of the water com- missioners for the past few years. I recommend that the city council, through the medium of a committee, confer with the water commissioners, with a view to the prepara- tion of a bill to be presented to the legislature for the pur- pose of revising and simplifying the existing laws.
This year the city will be called upon to issue $50,000 new bonds for the laying of new pipes and for other im- provements.
29
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Regarding the increase of water supply, it is of the greatest importance that immediate action should be taken, and I would suggest that the same committee which you appoint to confer with the water commissioners for the purpose of revising and simplifying the existing laws governing this department be also empowered to act with the commissioners in this matter of increased water supply and report to the city council.
FACTS REGARDING THE FELKER EMBEZZLEMENT
Felker has pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with the larceny of $80,000 in notes and $6,800 in cash. He will be sentenced at the sitting of the court beginning at Salem the second Monday in January.
Apart from the shortage in the cash, the effect of the defalcation is not yet felt by the city, and will not be felt until it has to pay the outstanding notes upon which the city is now contesting its liability. The shortage in the cash was originally $6,800. This shortage nas been some- what diminished by the proceeds of certain securities turned over to the city by Felker and sold by the city as follows :
500 shares Eclipse Oil company. $ 150 00 100 shares Rhode Island Copper company . 512 50
$1500 bonds California King Gold Mines company. 725 78
Total. $1,388 28
Thus the shortage in cash at the present time amounts to $5,411.72. A further reduction amounting to perhaps $3,000 will result from the sale of the stock in the Alumi- num company, which will doubtless be effected before Felker is sentenced. The only remaining asset of value turned over to the city by Felker is a half interest in a cer-
30
ANNUAL REPORTS
tain St. Paul land. Not very much, if anything, will be realized from this source.
With regard to the California King Gold Mines com- pany, Felker invested at least twenty-five to thirty thous- and dollars of the city's money in its securities. He pur- chased some ten thousand shares of the stock and $1,500 in bonds. Shortly after the discovery of his embezzlement, the stock was wiped out by a foreclosure sale in the inter- est of the bondholders and the latter received something less than 50 per cent. of the par value of the bonds.
In order to diminish the city's loss, if possible, several suits have been brought against persons who have during the past few years accepted checks drawn on the city's bank account by Felker in payment of his private debts. It is claimed by the city that the persons taking checks were charged with notice, from the form of the checks, of Felker's want of authority to draw them. One of the suits was very nearly reached for trial in December and will presumably be tried in January.
The notes, however, give rise to the most important legal questions arising out of the defalcation. These notes which fell due on October last aggregate $80,000, $55,000 of which are held by the Citizens Savings bank of Providence, R. I., and $25,000 by Blake Brothers of Boston. The last-named note for $25,000 was held until recently by the Institution for Savings in Roxbury. This institution has brought suit against the city and arrangements had been made with its counsel for a speedy trial in order that the case might be decided by the supreme court of Massachusetts in March, 1907. The institution has also brought suit against Blake Brothers, and at the last moment they took up the note by paying the institution the full amount due thereon. The suit against the city was, of course, then abandoned. Blake
31
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Brothers have not yet sued the city, but intend to await the decision of the United States court in the suit of the Citizens Savings bank against the city. It is hoped that this case will be tried within a few months, but like most litigation it will no doubt drag its tortuous course through the court. The city is represented by able counsel and everything will be done to protect the city's interests.
Until the question of the city's liability on the notes is determined no demand can be made on the sureties on Fel- ker's bonds, because it cannot be known until then how much the city's loss amounts to.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I do not desire to submit a long list of recommendations for your consideration at this time, but it would be a very great assistance to the executive department of our city if the mayor were allowed to appoint a stenographer as pri- vate secretary, the expense to be divided between the de- partment of city clerk and the office of the mayor; said private secretary to be clerk of committees and an assistant to the city clerk. This would expediate matters in the city clerk's office, place in the hands of the mayor such transactions in the committee meetings as should be mat- ters of record, and assist the chief executive in keeping in closer touch with the doings of the various committees.
I would further recommend that the meetings of the two branches of the city council be held on different evenings - the aldermen the first Monday evening of the month ; the common council the second Monday evening in the month. This would prevent the "railroading" of orders through both branches the same evening.
32
ANNUAL REPORTS
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, gentlemen, let us remember that the po- litical ideal of an administration should be a "Square Deal" for all.
This short phrase embodies the awakened hopes of the people of the United States in the administration of their national, state and municipal affairs, and furnishes a safe rule of conduct for all.
Under this standard I therefore ask you to join me, to the end that we may administer our respective offices, not to reward friends or punish enemies, but to justify the faith that inspired our election and to confirm the belief that the people can be trusted to correct all abuses.
Fifty-Seventh Annual Report OF THE City Auditor
FIFTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CITY AUDITOR
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT, Auditor's Department, December 21, 1907.
To the Committee on Finance :
GENTLEMEN - In conformity with the requirements of the city ordinances, I herewith submit the 57th annual re- port of the receipts and expenditures of the city of New- buryport for the financial year ending December 21, 1907, together with a statement of the city debts and debts due the city, a schedule of the real and personal property be- longing to the city and a statement of the securities held by the sinking fund commissioners as sinking funds also as trust funds.
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 the investments of trust funds, and found the same properly accounted for ; they are in deposit boxes in the Newburyport Five Cents Savings bank.
I verified the accounts of the collector of taxes, includ- ing the amount committed to him by the assessors, the
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ANNUAL REPORTS
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, 1907, and found the same correct and payments properly vouched.
I examined the cash account kept by the city clerk, of all cash received by him as fees or otherwise (except dog licenses), during the year ending December 21, 1907, and found the amount to be $877. 12, all of which has been paid to the city treasurer and a receipt taken therefor.
I examined the cash account kept by the city messen- ger, as agent for rental of city hall, of all cash received by him during the year ending December 21, 1907, and found the amount to be $1618, 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, and found the amount to be $99. 14, but $6.91 was turned into the treasury after the books for the year were closed.
I examined the books of the clerk of the overseers of the poor, and found the bills as approved correspond with the payments made by the city treasurer.
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 a decrease of the net city debt during the year ending December 21, 1907, of $34, 184.42. The overdraft for the year 1907 is $12,915.90.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM BALCH,
City Auditor.
37
CITY AUDITOR
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Receipts and expenditures, arranged by departments, for the year ending December 21, 1907 :
Income from
Collections
Payments of Year
Balance in treasury December 15, 1906.
$ 10,620 48 $
TAXES
Real estate, personal and poll.
211,980 4I
Corporation tax.
13,165 74
300 58
National bank tax.
5,879 68
4,273 44
Street railway tax
959 52
State tax.
13,680 00
State highway tax
87 70
County tax
13,038 03
State aid.
11,457 50
11,293 00
Soldiers' relief
7,047 82
Military aid.
302 00
680 00
Soldiers' burial
245 00
253 00
LICENSES
Business
147 00
Dog
648 76
Marriage.
73 00
Milk
40 00
Pawnbrokers and junk dealers
364 50
PUBLIC CELEBRATIONS
Memorial day
250 00
PUBLIC MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS
Mayor's office
1,289 51
Aldermen and council.
2,887 44
City clerk's department
121 37
1,850 58
Law department.
654 64
City auditor's department.
614 25
Treasurer and collector's department.
22 35
2,566 41
City messenger.
900 00
Assessors' department.
1,924 83
Harbor master
100 00
City clocks
75 00
City hall.
1,618 00
2,071 30
38
ANNUAL REPORTS
Income from
Payments of Year
Public landings and other city property . . .
$
$ 139 97
Elections
1,689 35
PUBLIC MUNICIPAL EDUCATION
Putnam trustees
1,200 00
Brown fund.
675 00
Tuition from state, Newbury, Rowley, Salis- bury and miscellaneous
1,013 90
Sale of books.
7 41
From other departments.
73 59
Supervision
1,600 00
Salaries
36,039 37
Supplies
3,749 96
Fuel.
3,447 82
Lighting
166 88
To other departments
77 08
Auction sale of building, organs, etc.
140 31
Repairs on school buildings
3,378 91 .
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Income from trust funds.
1,022 75
Fines collected and papers sold.
29 07
Use of library.
150 00
Supervision and salaries.
3,299 28
Fuel, lighting and miscellaneous payments
1,771 32
PUBLIC RECREATION
Supervision and labor in parks.
960 59
PUBLIC MUNICIPAL SAFETY Police department
Fines
1,294 37
Supervision
III 50
Salaries
13,427 35
Lighting
232 54
Repairs to station house
97 88
Miscellaneous payments.
521 84
Rent of court room.
250 00
Fire department
Miscellaneous receipts.
33 05
Supervision . 300 00
Collections
39
CITY AUDITOR
Income from Collections '
Payments of Year
Lighting
$
$ 453 88
Salaries
6,829 04
Fuel.
667 95
Repairs to fire houses
345 87
Miscellaneous payments.
2,875 5I
Rebuilding No. 2 engine
2,550 00
Fire alarm
Supervision of alarm and wires.
299 88
Miscellaneous payments.
565 18
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION
Supervision and labor
525 39
Inspection of plumbing.
II 00
294 15
Miscellaneous payments and receipts
83 76
2,958 81
Sealer of weights and measures
206 75
353 OI
Inspector of animals and provisions.
437 48
Removal of garbage.
409 22
Removal of ashes and rubbish
5 50
1,520 69
Sewers
1,548 07
1,144 64
PUBLIC CHARITES
Refunds from other cities and towns.
2,390 05
City farm.
401 75
Supervision and clerk's salary.
1,570 00
Expenses at city farm.
4,830 53
Assisting outside poor.
8,396 69
Insane, board at asylum.
491 74
Hospital (Anna Jaques).
600 00
PUBLIC HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES
Sale of materials and miscellaneous receipts
198 43
Newburyport bridge.
956 89
1,025 44
Supervision of highways
1,299 96
Street repairing.
5,495 48
Highway maintenance.
8,735 82
Sidewalks and curbings
596 30
1,058 80
Street watering
4,738 94
7,410 41
Tree protection
396 20
3,587 82
Street lighting.
12,21I 73
- Snow removal.
I42 42
2,386 64
40
ANNUAL REPORTS
Income from Collections
Payments of Year
Rent of sheds
$
$ 110 00
Chain bridge.
56 00
Culverts
I 00
1,484 21
CEMETERIES
Sale of lots.
225 50
Supervision and labor
250 20
Miscellaneous payments
30 87
INTEREST
Interest on deposits.
945 68
Interest on ward six engine house deposit ..
162 40
Interest on taxes
3,325 OI
Interest from water commissioners
10,955 00
Interest on loans.
6,650 83
Interest on bonds.
34,112 50
Interest on trust fund notes
3,452 50
Rebated.
32 70
INDEBTEDNESS
Loans in anticipation of taxes
197,000 00
197,000 00
Water bonds.
12,000 00
Bridge bonds.
6,000 00
Sinking fund commissioners.
18,800 00
Ward six engine house appropriation and interest.
1,162 40
Overdraft bonds.
20,000 00
TRUST FUNDS
Bromfield fund.
400 00
Simpson fund.
900 00
UNCLASSIFIED
County of Essex (seals )
39 00
39 00
J. V. Felker embezzlement account.
447 41
$509,611 82
499,362 14
Cash on hand December 21, 1907.
10,249 68
$509,611 82
41
CITY AUDITOR
TRIAL BALANCE DECEMBER 21, 1907 DR.
Cash $ 255 74
State of Massachusetts, state aid.
10,339 00
State of Massachusetts, military aid
308 00
State of Massachusetts, soldiers' burial
253 00
Sinking fund commissioners
229,875 09
First National bank, Boston
68 02
First National bank, Newburyport
9,907 92
Betterments
2,375 89
Tax of 1904
2,781 00
Tax of 1905
4,248 41
Tax of 1906.
24,575 83
Tax of 1907. .
62,061 49
Watering streets 1905.
15 32
Watering streets 1906
491 78
Watering streets 1907
1,223 62
Preservation of trees 1907
179 45
City of Newburyport.
821,041 85
Ward six engine house ( S. F.), special deposit.
5,162 40
J. V. Felker embezzlement account.
4,964 31
Overdraft for year 1907.
12,915 90
Total
$1,193,062 02
CR.
Sinking fund.
$ 229,875 09
Notes payable
128,225 00
Sewer construction
799 53
City bonds.
827,000 00
Ward six engine house sinking fund
5,162 40
J. V. Felker surety account.
2,000 00
Total
$1,193,062 02
42
ANNUAL REPORTS
CITY DEBT AND ASSETS DECEMBER 21, 1907
Bonds
Refunding 4 percent, due 1908.
$ 65,000 00
Schoolhouse
372 percent, due 1910
27,500 00
Refunding 4 percent, due 1911. 90,000 00
Refunding 4 percent, due 1913 . 25,000 00
Sewer 4 percent, due 1919.
107,500 00
High school
372 percent, due 1922.
35,000 00
High school
372 percent, due 1923
50,000 00
Sewer
372 percent, due 1931 ...
46,000 00
Water
31/2 percent, due 1908-1934
(serial ).
307,000 00
Bridge
31/2 percent, due 1908-1915
(serial).
54,000 00
Overdraft
4 percent, due 1908-1917
(serial)
20,000 00
-
$827,000 00
Trust fund notes
Sawyer 41/2 percent, due on demand
$ 5,000 00
Brown 472 percent, due on demand
15,000 00
Dexter 41/2 percent, due on demand
2,000 00
Atwood
472 percent, due on demand
10,500 00
Frothingham 4 percent, due on demand
1,000 00
Green 4 percent, due on demand
2,000 00
Simpson1
472 percent, due on demand
20,000 00
Toppan 4 percent, due on demand
250 00
Williams 4 percent, due on demand
1,000 00
Follansbee 4 percent, due on demand
3,000 00
Todd
4 percent, due on demand
10,000 00
Moseley
4 percent, due on demand
10,000 00
Temporary loans in anticipation of taxes
Note No. 683, 6 percent, due March 7, 1908
$20,000 00 Note No. 684, 472 percent, due March 7, 1908. 1,475 00 Note No. 685, 472 percent, due March 7, 1908. 1,000 00
79,750 00
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CITY AUDITOR
Note No. 686, 472 percent, due March 7, 1908. $ 1,000 00 Note No. 695, 6 percent, due August 7, 1908. 25,000 00
$ 48,475 00
Gross city debt, December 21, 1907 .. $955,225 00
ASSETS
Taxes of 1904
$ 2,781 00
Taxes of 1905.
4.248 41
Taxes of 1906.
24,575 83
Taxes of 1907
62,061 49
$ 93,666 73
Watering streets 1905
15 32
Watering streets 1906.
491 78
Watering streets 1907 .
1,223 62
1,730 72
Preservation of trees 1907.
179 45
Betterments
2,375 89
Special deposit for ward six engine house ..
5,162 40
ยท J. V. Felker embezzlement account. Cash in First National bank, Newburyport. $ 9,907 92
4.964 31
Cash in First National bank, Boston
85 02
Cash in treasurer's office 255 74
10, 249 68
State of Massachusetts, state
aid
10,339 00
State of Massachusetts, military aid ... 308 00
State of Massachusetts, soldiers'
burial
253 00
Sinking funds
10,900 00 229,875 09
359,104 27
Total net debt December 21, 1907 .
596,120 73
Total net debt December 15, 1906. 630,305 15
Decrease in debt.
$ 34,184 42
44
ANNUAL REPORTS
SINKING FUNDS
DECEMBER 21, 1907
Total amount of funds December 15, 1906 $202,873 81
Appropriation for the year 1907 18,800 00
Net income from investments during year 1907 . 8,201 28
Total
$229,875 09
An Itemized Statement of the Sinking Funds
SINKING FUND - REFUNDING LOAN Due July 1, 1908, $65,000
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 15, 1906
$51,625 52
Appropriation for year 1907 6,650 00
Interest on investment in 1907
1,767 42
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 21, 1907. ...... $60,042 94
SCHOOLHOUSE LOAN
Due June 1, 1910, $27,500
Sinking fund to pay the above December 15, 1906
$13,193 97
Appropriation for year 1907. 2,000 00
Interest on investments in 1907
954 21
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 21, 1907. 16,148 18
REFUNDING LOAN Due July 1, 1911, $90,000
Sinking fund to pay the above December 15, 1906
$62,412 80
Appropriation for year 1907 . 2,900 00
Interest on investments in 1907 2,270 00
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 21, 1907. . . 67,582 08
45
CITY AUDITOR
REFUNDING LOAN Due April 1, 1913, $25,000
Sinking fund to pay the above December 15,
$14,109 00 1906 .
Appropriation for year 1907.
800 00
Interest on investments in 1907
482 68
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 21, 1907
$15,391 68
SEWERAGE LOAN Due September 1, 1919, $107,500
Sinking fund to pay the above December 15,
$44,458 00 1906 .
Appropriation for year 1907 2,350 00
Interest on investments in 1907 1,97I 26
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 21, 1907.
48,779 26
HIGH SCHOOL LOAN Due July 1, 1922, $35,000
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 15,
1906. .
$5,091 88
Appropriation for year 1907. 1,200 00
Interest on investments in 1907. 241 85
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 21, 1907. 6,533 73
HIGH SCHOOL LOAN
Due December 1, 1923, $50,000
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 15, 1906
$4,981 39
Appropriation for year 1907. 1,600 00
Interest on investments in 1907. 181 30
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 21, 1907.
6,762 69
46
ANNUAL REPORTS
SEWERAGE LOAN
Due September 1, 1931, $46,000
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 15,
1906
$7,001 25
Appropriation for year 1907. 1,300 00
Interest on investments in 1907. 332 56
Sinking fund to pay the above, December 21, 1907 .
$ 8,633 81
Total sinking funds as above. $229,875 09
INVESTED AS FOLLOWS
City of Newburyport 372 percent sewer bonds. $ 20,000 00
City of Newburyport 4 percent sewer bonds. 20,000 00
City of Newburyport 372 percent schoolhouse bonds. 27,500 00
City of Newburyport 4 percent refunding bonds 69,000 00
City of Newburyport 372 percent high school bonds. 17,000 00
City of Newburyport 372 percent water bonds. 12,000 00
City of Newburyport 372 percent bridge bonds.
4,000 00
City of Newburyport 4 percent overdraft bonds.
20,000 00
Portland & Ogdensburg R.R. Company 5 percent bonds
10,000 00
City of Quincy 4 percent water bonds
500 00
Deposit in Five Cents Savings bank, city. 1,629 87
Deposit in First National bank, city 28,245 22
$229,875 09
TRUST FUNDS IN HANDS OF SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS
Schedule of investments and purpose for which income is used
FUND
INVESTMENT
DUE
AMOUNT
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