USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1922 > Part 2
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It can readily be seen that when such a business it located next door to a piece of property, it depreciates the value of such property and the city is a loser financially, besides giving our city the slack appearance such business must give, and I recommend that your Honorable Board appoint a committee to select a piece of ground and that all junk, rags, etc., be stored as directed by your committee, and I further recommend that the old Boston and Maine city gravel pit be prepared for the storage of such junk; that a track be installed and scales, and the lot divided and each licensed junk collecter be obliged to hire a part of this lot on which to conduct his business; that the price be made nominal but enough to reim- burse the city for the expense and that all such business be segregated to this location.
William Horton Home:
During the year, I have visited the home and have always found the dependents comfortable and well taken care of and I believe Mr. and Mrs. Davis do the best they can for the comfort of those entrusted to their care.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The Poor Department of the city, including the Horton Home costs $22,152.96 to run. We had an income of $5,860.62 and an appropriation of $17,000. We have a balance left of $707.66. leaving the cost of this department for the past year $16,302.74. At present there does not seem to be any prospects of its being run for much less, nor is there anything in sight that would cause it to be more expensive the coming year.
Water Department:
The Water Department is under good management and run as economi- cally as it is possible to run a department of this size with one exception. I believe the rent that is being paid for office and work shops could be saved and better accomodations could be had in City Hall. I hope the Honorable Commissioners will carefully consider this matter and take offices in City Hall where plenty of room is available and better adapted for the accommodations of this department and the public, and an annual saving to the city could be made and where the city is under such an enor- mous expense, I believe it to be the duty of every department of the ctiy to co-operate and save every dollar possible, and this department is no ex- ception.
Police Department :
The Police Department seems to be doing good work. I believe our city is as free from crime as any city of its size in the Commonwealth. There is considerable of a traffic in illegal sale and manufacture of liquors for which the police are on the lookout and do the best they can.
During the year and almost daily I receive anonymous letters telling how much liquor is being sold but these letters do not furnish any evidence that I can work on. If any person has positive evidence and is willing to give it to me, I will promise not to divulge the names and will do all in my power to stamp out this illegal business and if all law abiding people would assist, this traffic could be eliminated during the coming year.
I believe we will have to have more special officers to act as traffic officers on account of the increased automobile traffic. We must main- tain officers at the busy corners to prevent accidents.
Parks and Playgrounds :
Newburyport has no parks worthy of the name with the exception of the Bartlett Mall and Atkinson Common. Cushing Park would have been a fine breathing place for the section in which it is located if the lot had not been taken up for Engine House and Schools. However, as it is, it affords some breathing place for the residents of that locality.
When the new park above the bridge, composing of about eighteen acres, is developed the upper end of the city will be well provided for. There is enough of this tract of land filled now, so that the development
17
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
of it can be begun this year and before fall we hope to have made quite a good start so that the tax payers will have something for the money we have spent and that each year will show improvement, until its final de- velopment when it will prove to be a' source of comfort to those who fre- quent the park and an asset to the city, greatly in excess of what it will cost.
The city has been hiring a portion of this land for many years past for playgrounds. The amount paid yearly will be saved and the land fur- ther developed so the larger boys can have a base ball field without inter- fering with the childrens' grounds.
Also, on this park, swimming pools should be constructed as soon as possible and so arranged that fresh water could be supplied each high tide. I think these swimming pools will prove popular for both young and old and fill a long felt want. While I believe that we should take the seventy- eight acre piece of ground at the lower end of the city, on account of the many projects to be undertaken this year, I am not going to recommend it for the present.
During the past year the city has assumed control of the Jackman Pines, that were so generously donated to the city by the late Charles W. Moseley, and as time goes on they will prove more useful and attractive, and more of our residents will find comfort and pleasure in visiting this splendid piece of wood land and we want our people to know it is theirs and they should make use of it.
Co-operation :
During the past year there has been splendid co-operation between the city council and the Mayor's office, also between the school board and the Mayor's office.
There has also been a fine spirit of co-operation and good will between the heads of departments, all of which seem to be working for the best in- terest of the city and such co-operation must eventually show good re- sults.
The Highway Department and the Public Welfare Committee who have the care af parks and playgrounds have worked harmoniously and these two departments should continue to do so, on account of the great amount of material the highway department has to dispose of that can be used by the park department to good advantage for many years to come.
Winter Street:
I would be negligent of my duties if I did not again recall to your at- tention the dangerous corner at Washington and Winter Streets.
In my recommendations last year, this matter was called to your at- tention but nothing ever came of it. However, I am going to ask your Hon- orable Board to appoint a committee to make an investigation into the cost of making this corner reasonably safe and to ascertain the cost thereof.
If this corner is not made safe and a fatal accident takes place, then the amount it would cost to have this improvement would look small, es-
18
ANNUAL REPORT
pecially so if it happened to be one of our own near and dear friends, and if not ours, it would be someone's, and it is our duty to try and see if we cannot do something to make this corner safe.
It is with regret that I call your attention to the fact that during the past year our city has lost one of its most prominent citizens, Eben F. Knight, who served the city as councilman and alderman and for seventeen years as assessor, and in all the years he served with honesty and ability.
Also, Honorable Thomas C. Simpson, who served as alderman, and rep- resentative in the legislature, and Mayor of Newburyport in 1885, and Judge of the local court for twenty years and in all the public offices he held, he performed the duties with ability and a high sense of justice.
In his administration as Judge, while conducting the duties with dig- nity, he also administered the affairs with patience and compassion, for those who had the misfortune to come before him for minor misdemeanors, and those who came came before for the settlement of disputes, were as- sured of justice, and the strict interpretation of the law. He leaves a re- cord for kindness, patience and ability that his successors will find hard to emulate.
Planning Board :
Your Honorable Board of Councilors must assume the duties of a Planning Board and give consideration and assistance both moral and mat- erial, as much as lies in your power, to the industrial, commercial and edu- cational organizations of our city.
It is not long ago when our young men were going off to war. We were so grateful for their patriotism that any request they would have made at that time would have been granted. Now many of them are back home and out of employment and we should make it a personal matter and see to it that these ex-soldiers are put in line for some kind of employment that will allow them to live comfortably. We are jointly charged with the responsibility of assisting in every way as above outlined.
Comfort Station :
The city should provide a comfort station and I would suggest that your Honorable Council appoint a committee to investigate into the cost and advisibility of taking by eminent domain a portion of Printing House Square on Inn Street and erecting a suitable building and letting a portion of same to someone for boot black parlor, or other use, and for the rent of such space they could take care and keep in order the part used of public.
Plains School :
The Plains School was ordered to be sold by last year's Council but the conditions under which the city acquired that property were such that it cannot be sold. If we have no further use for it as a schoolhouse, we can remove the building and use the land for park purposes. This was pro- vided for in the deed to the city when the city acquired the land. Or, we
19
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
can rent the building as it is. It will bring some little revenue to the city and as the building is there, I would recommend that your Honorable Board instruct the Committee on General Government to let the building for the best rent they can get for it, provided this suggestion meets with your approval.
The City has been fortunate the past year in having as a virile working organization, the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce. It has lent its co- operation in many ways to the aims of the administration and has gone along with us in those ways which seem to make for the better welfare of the city and of those who live in it.
Though I am now speaking as the eletced Mayor of the City, I can also speak as a director of the Chamber, with some knowledge of what the chamber has accomplished and what its aims and aspirations are. The directors, representing the membership and the citizens at large, are endeav- oring in every way to make Newburyport a better place in which to live; to encourage industry, not only that which we have, but from the outside; to set the example before the young people of the community that this is a city to be proud of; to enlist community effort for all good things and to get behind every movement, material and social, that has to do with the ad- vancement of the city of Newburyport.
I sincerely believe in the organization and bespeak for it the cordial support of all those who have a real desire to lend a hand towards the im- provement of the city's industrial and social welfare.
Never in the seventy-one year of existence of a city, has Newbury- port been called upon to carry on so many important undertakings, and conditions have so shaped themselves that these improvements should be carried out.
Our schools must be improved; traffic conditions should be relieved and in order to do this Merrimac Street should be rebuilt and widened as sug- gested.
If we make all these improvements we must be careful not to waste one dollar on unnecessary improvements and to insist in getting value for every dollar spent. If we do this, these improvements can be completed and no hardship imposed on our tax payers.
We must expect to make some sacrifices in order to carry out and com- plete these several undertakings, but after they are done, Newburyport will be a better city to live in, a better city in which to bring up a family and a better city to do business in.
We must have no illusions relative to the task set before us. When we consider the undertakings contemplated and the financial condition of our city, the hardship to many of our tax payers, it is imperatively essential that we exercise our best judgement and pray to God to direct us and give us the wisdom that we may intelligently solve the many problems that con- front us'and to do so in a way that it will be all for Newburyport, that we love so well, and that God has so bountifully blessed in many ways, so that in future years, we may look back with satisfaction knowing that what we did was done honestly, conscientiously and unselfishly for Newburyport.
20
ANNUAL REPORT
SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CITY AUDITOR
City Auditor's Office
December 16, 1922
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council:
The undersigned herewith presents a report of the receipts and pay- ments of the City of Newburyport for the year beginning December 17, 1921 and ending December 16, 1922.
The first part of this report consists of schedules, which are made up from receipts and payments arranged upon the schedules for Uniform Municipal accounting as issued by the Department of Corporations and Taxation, Division of Accounts, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It will be noticed that the terms "revenue" and "non-revenue" are used, "revenue" meaning money accruing to the Municipal treasury under gen- eral taxation, police, powers, gifts or services rendered. "Non-revenue" meaning Offsets to Outlays, such as permanent improvements, bond issues, money hired in anticipation of taxes, temporary accounts, etc. Following these schedules are presented detailed statements. arranged in the same order, to-gether with the usual matters given in the Auditor's report, in- cluding a schedule of the City Property, City Debt and Assets, a state- ment of the securities held by the sinking fund commissioners as sinking funds, also a report of Trust Funds and a statement of funds held by private trustees, the income of which is for the benefit of Newburyport or any of its inhabitants.
SCHEDULE
Schedule A is a consolidated statement of total cash receipts and payments during the year, and the cash balance at the beginning and end of the year. This schedule shows that during the year the City has re- ceived $46,366.78 more than was expended.
Schedule B is a consolidated statement of the receipts and payments for operation and maintenance of the different departments, showing total receipts from revenue $525,067.94 and expense of maintenance to be $500,618.52 making the excess of receipts over payments for the year $24,449.42 which amount with the balance of non-revenue payments for the year are indicated in the increase cash on hand. The excess of re-
21
CITY AUDITOR
ceipts is accounted for by the receipt this year of income in excess of es- timate.
Schedule C is a statement of revenue receipts and payments by de- partments, less transfers, which make up the figures for Schedule B; also a statement of non-revenue receipts and payments, during the year, show- ing an excess of non-revenue receipts of $21,917.36. This added to excess revenue results in cash shown in Schedule A.
In making up actual cost of maintenance and operation "Agency Transactions" such as State Tax, County Tax, etc., are eliminated.
I would report further that I have audited the accounts of the Water Department, Sinking Fund Commissioners, Trust Fund Commissioners, Trustees of Wheelwright, Peabody and Public Library, Building funds, Treasurer and Collector, Treasurer of Public Library, City Clerk, City Messenger, Sealer of Weights and Measures, and examined all bills pre- sented, verified same, and when approved charged same to proper appro- priations, signing orders on the Treasurer for their payment; also have countersigned all notes and bonds, and have ascertained that issue of same was properly authorized.
The net debt of the City has been increased in the past year $29,161.13. The appropriated accounts for the past year were overdrawn $436.00; in- come exceeded estimate $13,823.28, leaving surplus for the financial year $13,387.28 which was carried forward for contracts made.
WILLIAM BALCH,
City Auditor 1
22
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF CITY AUDITOR
For the year ending Dec. 16, 1922.
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR Schedule A.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
Cash balance at beginning of year-
General Treasury
Library Fund . Water Commissioners . .
$27,824.63 812.31 2,292.55
$31,929.49
Total Cash on Hand-
Receipts during year
$1,008,322,24
Payments during year ..
961.955.46
46,366.78
Excess of Receipts
Cash balance at end of Year
General Treasury
70,076.65
Library Funds
1,710.19
Water Commissioners
6,509.43
78,296.27
23
CITY AUDITOR
Schedule B. GENERAL EXHIBIT OF THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
Receipts
Payments
Revenue Accounts-
General
$403.968.62 121,099.32
$500,618.52
Commercial
Total Revenue Accounts (Operating and maintenance)
525,067.94
500,618.52
Non Revenue Accounts (Note issue, construction, etc.)
483,254.30
461,336.94
Total transactions for the year less transfers
1,008,322.24
961,955.46
ACTUAL FINANCIAL RESULTS OF THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY FOR THE YEAR
Revenue receipts, as above, from taxation and other sources, not including money borrowed
$525,067.94
Revenue payments as above, for operation and mainte- nance (running expenses)
500,618.52
Excess of revenue receipts for the year Excess of non-revenue receipts for the year.
24,449.42
21,917.36
Excess of receipts for the year
46,366.78
24
ANNUAL REPORT
Schedule C.
EXHIBIT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS, REVENUE AND NON-REVENUE GROUPED ACCORDING TO FUNCTIONS
General and Commercial Revenue
Receipts
Payments
General Revenue
Taxes
$400,502.33
Licenses, permits and grants
3,466.29
Commercial Revenue
Special Assessments
4,137.78
Departmental
General Government
1,597.88
$26,649.67
Protection of Life and Property
2,154.19
73,349.36
Health and Sanitation
1,177.08
17,299.66
Highways and Bridges
365.46
48,851.05
Charities
8,217.32
29,759.46
Soldiers Benefits
5,864.25
11,390.91
Education
6,502.58
125,148.66
Library and Reading Room
151.33
10,502.20
Recreation
49.00
3,938.93
Pensions
3,300.50
3,900.48
Unclassified
110.67
8,209.59
Public Service, Water Works
66,432.48
61,014.00
Cemeteries
119.00
744.82
Interest
22,597.12
29,937.05
Indebtedness
14,000.00
65,000.00
Sinking Funds -
600.00
540,745.26
516,295.84
Less transfers not deducted from depart- ments
15,677.32
15,677.32
525,067.94
500,168.52
25
CITY ANDITOR
Non-Revenue
Receipts
Payments
Departmental
Protection of Life and Property
2,000.00
Health and Sanitation
512.95
1,842.35
Highways and Bridges
65.23
114,565.26
Recreation
8,982.16
Public Service (Water Department)
226.06
2,427.66
Indebtedness
373.274.91
260,000.00
Agency transactions
73,960.02
71,124.41
Refunds
215.13
395.10
Sinking Funds
...
35,000.00
483,254.30
461,336.94
-
26
ANNUAL REPORT
REVENUE ACCOUNTS
TAXES Taxes of 1922 Dr.
For City Purposes, inside the limit
$250,810.69
For City Purposes, outside the limit
5,000.00
Debt requirements, less income
71,600.00
State Tax
28,680.00
State Highway Tax
1,251.45
County Tax
22,885.67
Overlay
14,118.78
Omitted Assessments
375.00
Judgements
3,383.51
Civilian War Poll Tax
13,191.00
Total levy
$411,296.10
Cr.
Tax collected for city
$249,797.74
Tax collected for State
43,122.45
Tax collected for county
22,885.67
Tax abated during year
4,349.94
320,155.80
Uncollected
$
91,140.30
Taxes of 1921
Dr.
Uncollected balance from previous year
$94,306.81
Additional assessments . .
1,144.34
$94,451.15
Cr.
Taxes uncollected during year
58,692.61
Taxes abated during year
1,653.89
$60,346.50
Uncollected
$35,104.65
27
CITY AUDITOR
Taxes of 1920
Dr.
Uncollected balance from previous year $28,498.11
Cr.
Taxes collected during year
$22,668.19
Taxes abated during year
129.80
$22,797.99
Uncollected
$5,700.12
Taxes of 1919
Dr.
$3,384.50
Uncollected balance from previous year
Cr.
Tax collected during year
$865.82
Tax abated during year
2,518.68
$3,384.50
CORPORATION TAX
Receipts
Foreign corporation
$422.85
Public Service from State
1,374.81
All others from State
24,300.09
Interest from State
8.45
To income account
$26,106.20
National Bank Tax
Receipts
Stocks held locally in banks outside city $3,161.56
Stocks of local banks held by non-residents 7,809.65
$10,971.21
28
ANNUAL REPORT
Payments
To State for non-resident stock 7,660.74
To income account
$3,310.47
Street Railway Excise Tax Receipts
State of Massachusetts $150.42
State of Massachusetts Income Tax
Cr.
Balance
$25,253.04
Received from State, 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1922 38,746.97
Dr.
$64,000.01
Amount used by assessors in tax rate $6,022.31
To income account
30,000.00
$36,022.31
Balance
$27,977.70
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
Street Sprinkling for 1922 Dr.
Assessment on abutters
$2,841.00
Cr.
Amount collected during year
$1,969.87
Amount abated
333.29
$2,303.16
Uncollected
$537.84
29
CITY AUDITOR Street Sprinkling for 1921 Dr.
Uncollected balance from previous year .... $819.42
Cr.
Amount collected during year
$438.54
Abated
3.30
$441.84
Uncollected
$377.58
Street Sprinkling for 1920
1
Dr.
Uncollected balance from previous year
$751.12
Cr.
Amount collected during year
$599.51
Abatements
28.86
$628.37
Uncollected
$122.75
Street Sprinkling for 1919
Dr.
Error in commitment
$11.20
Cr.
Balance
.85
Amount collected during year
4.53
Amount abated during year
5.82
$11.20
30
ANNUAL REPORT Assessment for Moth Extermination, 1922
Dr.
Assessments for work done $1,052.95
Cr.
Amount collected during year
811.20
Uncollected $241.75
Assessments for Moth Extermination, 1921
Dr
Uncollected balance from previous year $324.78
Cr.
Amount collected during year
$142.63
Uncollected
$182.15
a
Assessments for Moth Extermination, 1920
Dr.
Uncollected balance from previous year $64.20
Cr.
Amount collected during year
$45.35
Uncollected
$18.85
Assessments for Moth Extermination, 1919
Dr.
Uncollected balance from previous year
$9.55
Cr.
Amount collected during year .25
6.50
Amount abated during year
$6.75
Uncollected
$2.80
31
CITY AUDITOR
Betterments
Uncollected balance from previous year
Dr.
$150.00
Cr.
Amounts collected during year $125.90
Uncollected Dec. 16, 1922
$24.10
Soldiers' Exemption
Cr.
From State of Massachusetts
$417.62
Dr.
To income account
$417.62
Taxes Refunded
Taxes of 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1922
Cr.
Taxes charged off, afterward collected
$4.00
From general treasury to balance 233.97
$237.97
Overlay Account, 1919 Levy
Cr.
Balance of previous year
$18,691.75
Dr
Abatement of tax 1919
2,518.68
Balance to Overlay, 1920 $16,173.07
Dr.
$237.97
32
ANNUAL REPORT Overlay Account, 1920 Levy
Cr.
Balance of previous year
$2,938.90
Dr.
Abatement of tax, 1920
129.80
Balance
$2,809.10
Overlay Account, 1921 Levy
Cr.
Balance of previous year
$9,659.18
Dr.
Abatement of tax, 1921
509.55
Balance
$9,149.63
Overlay Account, 1922 Levy
Cr.
Overlay, 1922 levy
$14,118.78
Dr.
Abatement of tax, 1922
3,974.94
Balance
$10,143.84
Statement of Massachusetts Tax Account
Cr.
State Tax
$28,680.00
State Tax for Highways
1,251.45
$29,931.45
Dr.
Payment to State
$29,931.45
33
CITY AUDITOR County of Essex Cr.
County Tax
$22,885.67
Dr.
Payment to County
$22,885.67
Civilian War-Poll Tax
Dr.
State of Massachusetts for 1922
$11,748.00
Balance forward 1,497.00
$13,245.00
Cr.
Appropriation from Tax levy, 1922
$13,191.00
Refund for taxes abated 54.00
$13,245.00
34
ANNUAL REPORT
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
City Council Department
Appropriation
$1,900.00
Supplementary appropriation
200.00
Receipts from advertising
47.70
$2,147.70
Payments
Printing annual reports of 1921
$542.00
Salary of Clerk of Common Council
400.00
Inspection of elevators
22.00
Rent of safety deposit box
20.00
Post office box rent
3.00
Printing and advertising
151.23
Posting Civil Service notices
16.50
Stationery and office supplies
5.80
Legal assistance on Plum Island case
50.00
Traveling expenses
63.60
Ringing church bells
42.50
1,316.63
Balance to general treasury
$831.07
Mayor's Department
Appropriation
$1,350.00
Payments
Salary of Mayor
$1,200.00
Telephone rental
36.10
Stamps
7.00
Traveling expenses
22.20
Services of stenographer
1.80
$1,267.10
Balance to general treasury
$82.90
35
CITY AUDITOR
Auditor's Department
Appropriation
$1,700.00
Telephone tolls
.45
From general treasury to balance
49.15
$1,749.60
Payments
Salary of Auditor
$1,299.00
Clerical allowance
3.00.00
Telephone rental
32.00
Stationery and office supplies
51.12
Postage
5.00
Financial Statement
23.00
Printing warrants and payroll blanks
51.45
Traveling expenses
7.40
Directory
5.00
Typewriter
74.63
$1,749.60
Treasurer and Collector's Department
Appropriation
$3,400.00
Supplementary appropriation
100.00
Use of telephone
.40
From general treasury to balance
47.56
$3,547.96
Fees credited to income
$248.64
Payments
Salary of treasurer and collector
$2,000.00
Salary of treasurer's assistant
900.00
Telephone rental
26.55
Express
4.83
Books, stationery and office supplies
213.75
Premium on treasurer's bond
165.00
Distribution of tax bills
50.00
Postage stamps
92.08
Printng and advertising
95.75
$3,547.96
36
ANNUAL REPORT
Assessors' Department
Appropriation
$3,200.00
Supplementary appropriation
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