~ 1909 INAUGURAL ADDRES ~ Nearly 100 years ago this address was made...... how well did the Mayor and the Council do?January 4th, 1909
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL:
In assuming for the fourth time the responsibility of Executive of this city, I appreciate the great honor conferred upon me, and it is my duty to be ever mindful of the obligations required of me both by my oath of office and in accordance with the laws of this Commonwealth.
You, gentlemen of the City Council, have assumed the responsibilities whereby you have pledged yourselves to the faithful performance of the duties of your respective stations. We all fully realize the great and grave responsibilities which we have now assumed, and we feel that the work which has been placed upon us cannot be honorably performed without great fidelity and unwearied exertion. It is extremely important, therefore, that we closely affiliate ourselves with those cardinal virtues of prudence, justice and fortitude which shall ever enable us to discharge these duties with honor to ourselves and to the satisfaction of the inhabitants of this, our Highland City.
During the past year we have made additional loans of $38,000 for Fire and Police Station, ,$13,000 Sewer Loan and $15,000 additional loan for Fire and Police Station, still the increased permanent debt is but $2,847.00.
TAX COLLECTOR AND ASSESSORS.
There has been a steady increase in the amount of money collected by the Tax Collector since we became a city. In 1891 there were 3,875 polls assessed ; in 1908 there were 4,553. In 1891 there was $ 145,136.85 collected, and in 1908 there was ,$212,000 collected. The collections for 1908 exceed by more than $l0,000 the collections for any year since the city charter was accepted. This means that there has been an increase of more than thirty percent in the amount of money collected, and a consequent amount of work required in handling the business of this office.ASSESSORS' DEPARTMENT.
I recommend the extension of the Assessors' plans to the city limits. By new plans I believe the Assessors will find considerable land at present untaxed, and more that is under-taxed, because, under the old methods of deeding or conveying land, there was very little attempt made at exactness of property lines.
There is a growing demand for exact information regarding the character and location of the outlying lands, which the Assessors are unable to give with their present plans. The plans used in the Assessors' department have served their purpose well during the past fifteen years, but the time has come when they should be enlarged. The work of extending their scope, which would increase their value and usefulness to the citizens should be undertaken this year. I recommend that we have new plans made of at least one ward each year until the several wards are completed.
SCHOOLS.
The people are gratified at the high standard maintained in our schools, and while the maintenance of our schools seems a burden, yet the taxpayers, without regard to expense, are willing to keep our schools tip to the standard required by other cities. Manual training and industrial work in the schools have made rapid progress during the past year. Too much credit cannot be given the Superintendent of Schools for his practical instruction in this line.
For the second time I call the attention of the School Board and the City Government to the necessity of installing a new heating plant in the High School building. The present heating apparatus has passed its usefulness. A new plant should be installed as soon as possible and so constructed as to heat both the High and Center Schools. This would save the city a vast amount in fuel together with janitor service. The night schools have given the working people, both young and middle-aged, an opportunity to receive at least a primary education and a lasting benefit.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The appropriation for this department may seem large, but tinder the circumstances I cannot see where it can be reduced as the conditions which will exist the coming year may demand ail increase in the number of officers. Under the statute laws, each patrolman is allowed one day's absence each month with pay. Considerable criticism has been made concerning obstructions on our sidewalks. I would ask the public to remember that our limited force has but three patrol men at night covering the district from Pleasant street through Main street and Maple street to Bridge street. I desire to recommend, that if, after years of service, or if disabled in the performance of duty, a patrolman should be retired with fair compensation.
INTOXICATING LIQUOR.
The people of Marlborough by their vote have decided that the sale of intoxicating liquors must be abolished. According to our oath of office, I, as Executive of the city, and subordinate officers are required to enforce the laws, and it is my duty to see that the laws are enforced in all parts of the city without fear or favor.
There are various methods used to deceive the police, principal among these is the securing of a United States revenue liquor license. I shall make it a personal duty of mine to see that these persons shall not use this method of deception.
I have reason to believe that the City Marshal, aided by our energetic Sergeant of Police, who has shown his efficiency since the time of his appointment, will enforce the law to the letter, and as desired by me. I call on all law-abiding citizens to aid and assist in the enforcement of the law, according to the verdict of the people rendered at city election.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Fire Department of our city is in a high state of efficiency and compares favorably with any in the Commonwealth. I congratulate the officers and men of the various companies for the splendid work they have always clone, and the readiness and willingness with which they respond to the call of duty.
The new Fire and Police Station is well along toward completion. This will give the east part of the city a protection which they have long desired and will add much to the appearance of our Main street. I also -recommend an appropriation for the annual field day of this department. I believe that the department should have a sufficient amount of hose to meet any emergency.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
The management of the City Farm appears to give satisfaction not alone to the inmates but to the people in general. The Board of Overseers and the Warden are to be congratulated for bringing so much pasture land into cultivation. The crops raised on these lands will help reduce the expense. In my recent visit to the institution I found the buildings well cared for, the cooking utensils and heating apparatus in first-class condition.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
One of the greatest blessings which can come to the inhabitants of any city, and one which is often too little appreciated, is an unlimited supply of clear, pure water. But, while we are in the enjoyment of this beneficient and necessary article, we should not be unmindful of the needs of the future. This department has given satisfaction and should, in the near future, be self supporting, without specific appropriation. I have repeatedly called attention to the fact that water is used without the meter system in many places. Thus there is a great waste of water and an unnecessary expense to the city. I again repeat that meters should be supplied, even if it has to be done on a small annual rental system. If installed in this way it would be a burden to none.
The extreme low water at Lake Williams emphasizes more than ever the necessity of improving the shores by paving the sloping and removing the brush. The work could be done to the best advantage under the present conditions, and a little money spent here would show a great improvement and benefit to all our people.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
It is a pleasure to note that our city has been free from contagious diseases and the death rate has been comparatively low during the past year. I recommend that some provision be made by which the milk supply of the city shall be looked after with special regard to its sanitary production and distribution. I sincerely hope that the Board of Health will take immediate action on the above recommendation, as too much care cannot be given this important matter.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
During my administration the condition of our thoroughfares has often been a criterion upon which strangers form an estimate of our progress and prosperity. Within the past few years the majority of our streets have been substantially rebuilt. It will be my endeavor to see that the taxpayers receive full value for every dollar expended the present year. Our present Superintendent of Streets gives his undivided attention to the construction of our highways. He has conducted the department in a thoroughly economical manner and is in perfect harmony with the entire city government. Our appropriation for highways in 1908 was $18,000, the smallest appropriation for a number of years, yet there is an expanded balance of ,$2,000 on hand.
I recommend that a suitable dressing of tarvia, or some other good material, be placed on East and West Main streets to protect these streets from the ravages of automobiles.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Our Public Library has proven to be one of the most popular institutions in our city, well patronized by young and old. From all who patronize this popular institution, we hear nothing but words of praise for those in charge. The book racks in the library at present are insufficient. A number of volumes are now stored upon the floor. The Trustees request that additional racks be built, the estimated cost to be $2700.
CLAIMS.
Many dwellings have been built on land subject to the overflow of water from the water shed of the surrounding hills. The city has been put to a great expense in obviating this flow of water from the hillsides, and yet the city is continually paying damages on this account. All just claims should be adjusted. Considering the many drains which the city has constructed, these demands should cease.
STATE HIGHWAY,
The city is now connected by State highways to the east and west, and State roads are now under construction to the north and south. These will be completed during the coming year, which will relieve the city of further expense of keeping these highways in repair. I shall endeavor to have the State highway east of the city farm repaired the coming year.
COUNTY HIGHWAYS.
The County Commissioners have been quite generous in building a county road, Bolton street. This gives us two excellent entrances from Hudson to Marlborough, a thing which has long been desired. It will be my endeavor, through the County Commissioners, to get other roads leading to our city constructed the present year.
CITY CHARTER.
The present Mayor is in accord with the recommendations of all previous mayors, that our City Charter should be revised. The Mayor's authority is so limited that very often the City Council's interpretation is at variance with the Mayor's on matters of vital importance to the city. This has been referred to so often and no action taken, that I firmly recommend that certain sections be changed the coming year.
CORPORATIONS.
Corporations enjoying the rights and privileges of a franchise must always remember that, although in possession of vested rights, they are tenants in the house of this municipality. The courtesy extended to them should be reciprocated towards every citizen in their mutual relations to each other. Should circumstances necessitate the digging up of streets or sidewalks for leaks or breaks in their respective systems, restoration of the same to the original conditions must and shall be expected. If this administration must be a safe, business-like and economical one, it is fair to assume that all be instrumental in the success of the same, and contribute such motives as shall further the attainment of that desirable end.
PARKS.
Our city has voted to procure a public playground. I recommend that an appropriation be made, to be expended under the direction of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. A playground, if secured, should be centrally located, and contain, if possible, a skating pond, which would not only eliminate all possibility of the loss of life, but would relieve many anxious parents.
STREET LIGHTS.
I am pleased to note the improvement in the lighting of our streets by exchanging one arc light for five tungsten lights, thereby distributing the light more generally, The lights have been extended along the Berlin Road to the city line without additional expense to the city.
CITY HOSPITAL.
During the past year a great demand has been made for the further extension of our hospital. This has been carried out in the acquisition of the new house for nurses. This gives additional room for the treatment of patients. The city at present is not in financial condition to erect a new hospital. The present structure could be greatly enlarged by raising the roof, which would give another story. I would recommend an appropriation, not to exceed $700, for this purpose.
BROWN TAIL AND GYPSY MOTHS.
The work of the extermination of these pests must be continued. The money expended in this department the past year brought good results, as noted by many taxpayers. The expense is not great to the city at present as the state pays eighty per cent. of the total expense. The elm tree beetle made its sudden appearance during the past year and our trees were cared for by the use of hand spraying machines. This relieved the city of the expense of buying a costly motor power machine. However, we must be prepared to meet any emergency in this line the coming year.
STATE ARMORY.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has, by act of the Legislature, taken our state armory under its control and will pay all expenses of maintaining the same, thereby relieving the city of any further responsibility.
DEPARTMENTS IN GENERAL.
There is a tendency on the part of some departments to contract bills without first obtaining proper authority. The appointment of committees does not warrant the same to build, relocate or construct any structure or work without reporting back to the city council. I find that in some departments the appropriations are unnecessarily exceeded. These appropriations should not be exceeded, as temporary loans have to be made to meet these emergencies, and transfers of appropriations are not in strict accordance with our city charter.
CONCLUSION.
The city is to be congratulated upon securing a branch of the W. L. Douglas Shoe firm, which is located in the factory on Maple street. This will add to the taxable property and the population of Marlborough. We hope that at no distant day the Hall factory will be put in operation by some such enterprising firm as has lately been brought into our midst by the united efforts of our Board of Trade and the citizens in general.
In conclusion, gentlemen, let me ask of you, that in all your deliberations upon the recommendations offered in this inaugural you have constantly before you this fact, that the money necessary to meet all expenses comes from the pockets of the taxpayers. Let us forget selfish motives and think only of the greatest good to the greatest number.Next year, 1910, we shall celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Town of Marlborough. I recommend that a committee from the city council and a committee of citizens be appointed, with full power to arrange for this celebration the present year.
The morning of this municipal year awakens us to action. Let us hope that at the expiration of the year we shall hear the people acclaim, " Well done, thou good and faithful servants."
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