Newspaper Page Text
Wednesday Morning, Jan. 4, 1922.
LLLEDOEVILLE NEWS
MHjLEDOEVIU. Bi
May
or Miller S. Beil Delivers
Annual Message City Council
8TREET8 ■=
Excellent work has been done on the streets and sidewalk
■ Uroi'ghoul tWe pant year. The recommendation made in my rni ° f the clt
co put the road from corner of Wayne and Green streets to s° n la8t ?«»
<u or e graJe and to change the track of the MllledgeviUe Rail* rl ' en 8tree
l to the center of the street has been carried out and this ha Cora P a a
j one of the best lmprovemnt? made on our dirt roads In many ;! P « ; r " r Ven to *>
nly as the ftp^earfthcd of the street been generally Improved
'tniiffa hna rrrnnllo ffinlHtotnJ «•» At* I- a .a c . DUt
GIVES ACCOUNTS OF
CITY’S AFFAIRS
Message Embraces General
Conditions of the City and
Progress Made During Las!
Twelve Months.
Mayor Miller S. Boll read his an
nual report before the members of
the city council of Milledgeville Mon
day morning.
The message of Mayor Bell embrac
ed every detail concerning the city's
affairs. The report showed that mark
the sewers were constructed according to tbe original plans and specifica
tions as drawn by the Engineer employed by the city.
Thus the city was saved a large sum of money by delaying the work
and using Judgment as to when it should be done. The contract for the ex
tension made was satisfactory to the city in every respect, the contract was
completed within the time given to the contractors, and the homes of 144
innge has greatly facilitated traffic in this part of the city a’. .v 11 1,11
i.mmeudation made last year which has been carried o. t is the e ai ,ec
the hill and cutting down the sidewalks near the residence of Dr tv 8 01
i bis has proven a splendid Improvement to this part of the ri»v ' *" 1,1,1
In A- thl. n.«nl.lln -A A 1 A a«#_ _ •
In
addition to tnis, Franklin street between Wayne and
been graded, clayed and sanded. erson hai
5600 square yards of surface has been covered by sand on
tree; lv tween Montgomery and Hancock street. Colu ®tla
McIntosh street between Columbia and Clark also has been oi„, ,
rtert “ Lia >ed
sanded.
aoi
Liberty street between Wall and Montgomery, North Boundary
ertv and Wilklnnnn. and Mnntanmnrv hntwnan PUrk ...i ... “ el, W
citizens are on the line of the new sewrs. Many of these have lately made j 'Liberty and Wilkinson, and Montgomery between Clark and Liberty h***
is one of the best contracts ever been greatly Improved by being resurfaced with gravel. , “*’•
ed Improvements had bene made by
the city d ring the year of 1921 and
>n top of all acompllshments brought
about a decided reduction it: taxes
were made possible.
The past year was the winding up
f Mayor Bell's fourteenth year as
he chief eexcutlve of this city and
donday he wa3 sworn In for an
ijglith term. In his report he showed
n a precise way what has beau ac-
'omplished for the city during his
nnny years of administration.
Thn me .-.sage of the mayor will be bonds, which were authorised by a vote of tbe people June 11, 1919, for tbe ! ' a5li - work was don principally on Green etreet, the walk extending
w i --j t j _ a _i__a al. -ja.. .it 1 from .Tfiffersnn to Clark Rtroot. also nn 'Wavn« ntropt from . ... u ®
■ewer connections. It is believed that this
made by tbe city. The new line gives to the cltixens in the Southern part | Repair work to streets, drains, and bridges was done in all section
of the city, the luxury and convenience that they have so long deserved, j the city; many dead trees throughout the city have been removed and ? f
and which has been enjoyed by other citizens, who have lived along sewar many Instances young trees have been planted to take their places i n ,v 8
lines which were built years ago '*»•— i- —-*- • n the
ADVANTAGEOUS 8ALE OF WATER BONDS
The city purchased the water plant from the American Pipe Manufac
turing Company of Philadelphia, March 1st, 1920, at the low cost of $55,-
summer the street force spent several days in cutting weeds in various
of the city. The trash wagon has been operated continuously durin Ts*
and the street Sprinkler has been in use at intervals. It is gratif.i
year
to report that considerable work of a permanent nature has been dono^ 1 "*
year, and the policy of extending sidewalk paving was renewed.
this
all
000.00. Cn account of the low price offered to the city for the water works , twenty-five thousand seven hundred square feet of cement sidewalks were
rintod in pamphlet form and geueral-
y distributed to the citizens of Mil-
mlgeville. Tlye report In full is print-
i below;
purpose of buying and improving the water plant, the city refused all bids from Jefferson to Clark street, also on'Wayne street from Green to \v»»s
i t . • ■ i . a.. ... _ _ _ .. • i • i • m ... . Invtnn Aten nr 'I lira umru laid lnodltur from 4lm n 1 d anrn 11. a „ . t
Milledgeville, Ga., January 1, 1922.
TO THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF MILLEDGEVILLE.
Gentlemen:
In accordance with my custom find with a desire to fully inform you and
the public of our work for the past year, I take pleasure in submitting the
Annual report as Mayor of the City of Milledgeville for the year 1921. In
this report a full and complete financial statement is given, showing r.
celpts and disbursements for the year, and also comment is made on the
Activities and accomplishments of the various departments of the City, to
gether with such suggestions and recommendations believed to be advisable
And for the best interest of the city.
In beginning this report, permit me to give expression of appreciation
that I am sure is felt by all of us In the endorsement given by our fellow
citizens at the polls in our re-election to official responsibility without op-
poslton. No higher tribute could be paid to the servants of the public than
has been rendered to this board; and the confidence of our citizens in lb as
City Officials should hearten us to go forward in the upbuilding of our city,
for the honest admiration of Its varied business and for the securing of the
very best results from the expenditures of the money the taxpayers have
entrusted to us for disbursement. Looking backward, Milledgeville has
avery reason to he thankful. Looking forward, Milledgeville has every rea
son to he hopeful. The past year has equalled our most sanguine expecta
tions in regard to City finances and Improvements. No other city of its
Aise presents plainer evidence of growth and Improvement as a municipality.
The year through which we have Just passed goes down in history as one
ef our very best years for service and accomplishment.
Notable Improvements have been made in the extension of the Sani
tary Sewer System In the southern section of our city.
188,500.00 City of Milledgeville bonds have been sold at par and accrued
inteiest. The loan of $55,000.00 for the purchase of the water plnnt has
been paid and a contract has been made for changes, alterations, additions
and enlargements of the water works that will give us an up-to-date system
in every respect, with an abundant supply of pure water .and with ample
pressure.
We have cont!n”Cd the policy of permanent improvements on our streets
and sidewalks, have added equipment to the street department, purchased
and paid for 400 feet of fire hose and secured the property in our city ceme
tery at a cost of $1,250.00, that was formerly owned by the Colored Metho
dist Church.
Every obligation of the city has been met promptly when due. There
is no floating debt whatever against the city. A11 maturing bonds have
keen promptly redeemed. All interest on bonded indebtedness paid. The
and obtained a loan of $55,000.00 from a Macon bank and paid for the water
plant.
The bonds were advertised and offered for sale several times In lit*,
hut each time the city refused to sell at the price bid, preferring to continue
to borrow in the hope taht the bond market would improve; in the mean
time, the Macon hank called the city to pay the loan, which was done within
the time specified in the agreement at the time the loan was made. The
loan was paid by obtaining $20,000.00 at the Savannah Bank and Trust Com
pany of Savannah, Ga., $11,000.00 from (he Bibb National Bank, Macon, Ga.,
nn1 borrowing with the consent and approval of the trustees of Georgia Mil-
ary College from the city school bond fund the $24,000.00 that had been
n deposit in a Macon bank at five per cent.
The water bonds were offered for sale several times the early part of
is year. Previous to the sale of the bonds on November 20th, 1921, the
est price offered for the whole issue of these bonds was on May 25th, 1921,
he bid being $82.50 and accrued interest.. Then on June 8th, 1921, the city
affered under competitive hid the first $26,000.00 of these bonds maturing,
>nd the best offer obtained was $87.53. The city refused ail bids for her
bonds and continued the loan for the purchaso of the water plant. However,
the bonds were again offered November 30th, 1921, and the bid of J. B. Me-
Crarv Company of Atlanta for $88,500.00 unmatured water bonds at par and
all accrued Interest to date of payment was accepted.
The sale of these bonds at par and accrued interest by the city was an
unusually good business deal, especially when Liberty Loan Bonds were
selling at $94.00 and $95.00 at the time of this sale.
The $55,000.00 loan obtained for the purchase of the water plant has
been paid in full. A contract for all the improvements as called for in
plans and specifications of the. Engineer employed by the City has been
made, the contract price being' $28,750.00, and the balance of the money
for the sale of the Water bonds, viz. $4750.00, will he used in extending and
enlarging the pipe lines In the Streets of the City.
Both the sale of the bonds at par and interest and the contract made
for improvements at the Watsr Plant are highly satisfactory to the City.
Had the City accepted the highest bid made for these bonds May 25th, 1921,
they world have received $15,487.50 less than they brought when sold Nov
ember 30tli, 1921.
There was only $667.00 difference in the estimate made by the Engineer
ington. Also walks were laid leading from the Bidewalk to the ntrancc I
the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches. Seven hundred feet of
curbing were laid on Green street between Jefferson and Wayne. ° e
Very satisfactory work has been accomplished In this departmnt unde
tho capable supervision of Mr. T. J. Thomas, street overseer. I d 0 not bl
lieve that our streets have ever been In better condition than they are
the present time.
I rcommend continuing paving sidewalks in residential sections, also
placing stone curbing on our streets; this gives uniformity and adds to tbs
appearance of the streets. I recommend that concrete brdges be placed
over Tan yard branch on Jefferson street and also over the double branches
on the Sanitarium road. Thia will result In a great saving to the city and
I hope our finances will allow ua to begin this work in 1922.
I also recommend that the lower Macon road on West Hancock street
be cut down to a three per cent grade and given a sand and clay finish to
the western elty limits.
LIGHTS
The quality of lights furnished last year was up to the standard of pre
vious years. The city now has 102 incandescent lights, the arc lights har
ing all been discontinued by the Company; this was done several month!
ago and the change reduces the cost of lighting as the city wag paying at
the rate of $70.00 per annum for each arc light furnished and $28.00 per an
num for each Ineandeaoent light. The contract with the electric light com
pany expires with the old year, and I recommend a renewal of the contract
for the 1*1 Incandescent lights at a cost of $28.00 each. 1 also recommend
the addition of six more Incandescent lights to be placed at points in the
city where they are badly needed. I hope a plane can be satisfactorily work
ed out whereby a white way can be placed In the business section of the
city; perhaps the merchants might be willing to bear a part of thlB expense
and the city pay a part. If the city owned Its own light plant, additional
lights could be installed with small expense and It Is still my Judgment that
such ownership would be decidedly to the interest of Milledgeville and her
people.
WATER
The city ownership of the water plant by the 1921 operation has proven
to be a most desirable Investment for the people of Milledgeville.
Your Mayor is convinced that the future profits arising from the oper-
representin'? the City and the contract price for the Improvements at the ation of the plant will be sufficient to pay all interest on the water bonds
Water Plant.
Thus the citizens will realize that in both the sale of Bonds in letting
the eon'ract for Improvements of the Water Plant, that splendid results were
obtained.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE WATER PLANT
The Water WorkB System owned as it is by the City of Milledgeville.
should be thn pride of every citizen. The new improvements are being
provuietl * .
quarter u hundred dol
the state, servic
(if $9,692.11 to l« in the year 1
lion i oii.p.ot til" plant
’u
p (>pei t ■
• s , ' , cr"d
vp'untioTi
. an 1 the
lie low i
on hand
riE-ouncr-,
li have t 03 the City $RS.300.00, and double thi
tive estimate of its value,
at-od from e Philadelphia owners cost the City
; t'.o "I ’"nm v ompn : :o- i.-nprovemeu
> ovoid''
M n
on lirnd
1 duo. '• ’
Hall and
Idlrg
Cash
Tnxr
City
Fire n
Fire E-'glno an 1 »
Puro 'aso pri c war-r
Cash on lv ml for \vs
Accrued Inter'"t err.
Sanitary Sowers ~
City Hall FiimPnro
Two rifo nuwl*:;;* eons
Land on < itv comm avi .
Stables no 1 lot
Untold Ceuicto '• lo‘a
Tanner House and lot
Property and convict camp
I n ;
-t (
■til"
slant
r i—.proven •
i cn water '
1. •
for the Fit • bv a firm of Ea;r
eomqetmi' '-lag'iv er for cn: -
• • - ns to . Th** plan was approve
is e tinat ■ or co-'t of the work co'
••on ’ ne: pr'ce The Con'motors nr
install the improvements complete r
7.10.»q
600.00
1,500.00
500.00
t ,250.00
1,500.00
200.09
Equipment street department 4,000.09
Miscellaneous items abov.t
S50.0O
Total - - $191,664.61
LIABILITIES
Deferred payments on fire engine $ 4.100.00
Interest on outstanding bonds 6,962.50
Oi (standing unapproved accounts, about 500.0#
Total — $ 11.568.50
Resources over liabilities 180,102.11
Total $1*1.664.61
BONDED INDEBTEDNESS
Redemption bonds outstanding $ 19,406.90
Barracks bonds outstanding 9,300.6#
Sanitary sewer bonds outstanding (old issue 4,000.06
School bonds, 1919 issue, outstanding 44,000.06
Sewer bonds, 1919 issue, outstanding 5.000.06
Water bonds, 1919 issue, outstanding s8,500.00
Total outstanding bonded indebtedness $170,209.06
REDUCTION IN TAXES
It was suggested in last year’s report that on account of the hard strug
gle many of o r citizens were having during these depressed times, that
everything possible should be done to reduce the 1921 tax rate. Last yaar
the tux rate was $1.40.
This year the tax rate is $1.25, this being a reduction of oue dollar and
a half per thousand. While this low tax rate has been posaibte, yet at 111#
same time all the city's obligations have been promptly met, the schools
have been supported, the maturing bonds paid, interest on bonded debt paid,
permanent street work done, equipment added to the street and fir« de
partments, and also land acquired for our city cemetery.
While it is, of course, true that every effort should be made to jnake
tbe city tax rate as low as possible, at the same time our cltlseas should
realize tile many henoftts that they receive from taxation. Mo&ey spent for
public welfare in the form of taxes brings perhaps the best returns of auy
other expenditures in our city.
SEWER EXTENSION
Fourteen years ago when your Mayor assumed office and whea ha firat
ke.amc familiar with conditions in the city, he realized that the citir.ene in
tbe Southern section of the city should enjoy the benefits of better sanitary
conditions, and urged in the first city report written by him that (he saner
line be extended just as soon as financial conditions of the city would per
mit .Each year this recommendation was repeated, until finally an election
wu*c held June It, 1919, and the sum of Five Thousand Dollars was voted by
tbe people for tbe purpose of extending the sanitary sewer system. Owing
to the high cost of newer pipe and labor which prevailed daring I9t9, it was
necessary to delay the work. When the city asked for bids August lKth,
• 929. the lowest bid for the work completed was 914,777.70. Several weeks
later the contractor reduced his bid to 913,700.00, mad finally la the tall the
bid was again reduced and they ottered to do the work for |tt,9*0.00. The
oily, however, declined to let tbe contract, believing that later there weald
be e bMH furtner reduction In the cost oi labor and material. In tha mean
time. $3,500.06 was saved and set apart out ot the general maintenance fund
ef (he city. In 1920, and Added to the $5,000.00 bond money voted by the
people, giving a total of $8,600.00 to be used In extending the sanitary sew-
eis Bids were again invited February 9th, 1921, and the J. B. McCrary
Company of Atlanta was awarded the contract for the sum of 99.500.90, and
v. re e " or ou ly (
- • - »i to a
r • ' < ' ' e‘ re tbe ■ "n*’
(b >■ ! n - ■ T rroJ to and '•
’eip < 't'Fn t ''il' mn nf tbe
• {■■ a’’ v'als a-bl lebo - ;i- !
per r.Vri d nlnns and specifient'ons.
Tbe principal improvents to he made aro as follows;
Tho construction of a concrete dam fiS feet in length across Fishin'
Creek. Thi.- dam is to lie b ilt on a so]kl foundation and v.-ill be 7 fee
'•''-It nil :: feet .•••ida, with an abutment on o:ie eel. and un Intake box when
the water will be taken from tbe o'her end. Tile purpose of this dam b
to check all flow of water through the sand in tho bed of the creek and
alscj to secure n better supply of water in dry seasons.
Additions will be made lo the present raw watr pump pit in the nature of
building a concrete water tight pit. This pit is to be 10 feet in lucumfranee
and 10 feet high and will bo constructed so as to be always above the high
water line.
Very extensive improvements will be made on the coagulation basin; its
height will tin Increased f> feet and the walls and bottom will he strengthened
with 6 inches of re-inforced concrete. When completed it will be used as
a clear water basin, and will have a capacity of 200,000 gallons.
A very large setting basin or reservoir will ho built on the hill on tho
premises of the Water Works property that will hold Two Million and One
Hundred Thousand gallons of Water. The purpose of this reservoir with
so large, a capacity is to enable ,.:s to keep a large supply of clear water
on hand so that it will not he necessary- to do much pumping ot raw water
during rainy weather. Thus, we will be able to furnish clear water and
at thi 1 same time there will he considerable saving of expense on account
of tbe decrease in the use of chemicals.
The Improvements will also give us two units of gravity typo, re-in-
forced concrete coagulation basins, together with two units of gravity type
reinforced concrete filters of 250,000 gallons capacity each; also mixing
‘roughs, chemicals tanks, pipe gallery with all pipe fittings and valves pro
perly connected for operating same. A liquid chlorine apparatus manufac
tured by Wallace Tiernan Company will be added to dose the filtered water
with liquid chlorine automatically, which will insure pure and healthful
drinking water at all times.
There will be a frame building erected of corrugated galvanized iron,
with concrete floors for the coagulation basin.
A suction float will be installed in the largo reservoir so as to take
only the settled clear water from tile top
Two 700 gallon per minute, electrically driven DeLaval centrifugal pumps
will be installed—one pump to pump tho raw water to the reservoir against
n 60 foot head, and the other to pump dear water to tho City against a
250 foot head.
Tiie motors will be fully equipped with starting and stopping devices
and all proper wiring and connections will be made in the building. All
pipes, valves, and all necessary fittings will be made from the pumps to our
present system.
This electric unit will pump 200 gallons of water per minute more than
we have at present with the steam units we now use, which is only 500 gal
Ions per minute capacity. This gives additional protection in case of fire.
All necessary pipes, valves and fittings to connect the electric units
with the present steam units will he installed, also all drains from flltrs
and coagulation basins, and etc.
When the contract is completed in all if its details by the contractors
a ten days test will be made before the final acceptance of the work by the
as It becomes dee each year, and also to pay the entire amount ot the water
bonds as they mature annually. Thus the water plant will pay for itself
retiring all bonds and all Interest so that the plant will finally become the
property of the city without a cent of taxes being levied for its purchase.
This can be accomplished without any increase whatever in the cost of water
furnished the consumers.
The results obtained from the operation of the plant in 1921 fully Justify
this conclusion, notwithstanding the high cost of labor during the early
"art of the year, and also the high cost of coal that prevailed the first few
lonths when $14.00 per ton was paid for coal delivered at the plant.
This department of our city government has in<H all of the operating
n<- -s for tho entire year, has paid all the interest on the $55,000.00 bor-
"d for the original purchaso of the p'nnt (up to an including December
th, the date tha monev was paid for the purchase of the water bonds),
"1 ha i made a clear profit in ad-Vt’on to this of $6,737,00.
V.'Itli thin remarkable record of nccompl'shmonts! "der trying condi-
n il rs prevailed tills veer, it. is ent'rely reasonable to assume ’.hat
he p-of't for future years will be greater, especially when it is cons'dcred
at thn improvements, now being made to 1ho water plant, will materially
educe t e coot of operation; among tehese improvements to reduce the
o t of operation is tho change from the use of steam to the use of eiectrieilv,
;d '• installa'i'-Ti of an un-to-date liquid chlorine anpara us.
Thus, it will readily he seen that the purchase of tha water plant linn
emi a good investment for the people of Milledgeville.
Th following statement submitted by Snpt. Cl. P. Schell shows the -I-
anclal operation of the plant for the year of 1921:
Milledgeville, Ga., Dec. 31st, 1921.
STATEMENT OF THE M1LLEDGEVI1TE WATER WORKS.
From January 1st, 1921, to December 31st, 1921.
RECEIPTS
ater rentals , c $16,458.37
'ire hydrants 2,964.35
eter readings from Sept. 1, 1921, to December 31, 1921 1,853.41
laics supplies 226.54
Total $22,502.67
DISBURSEMENTS
Interest ..... .....$ 3,844.67
Insurance - „ 274.9*
Chemicals 968.47
FVel ; 4,694.74
Lub. oil and waste 142.54
Office expense 110.12
Pipe — 20.14
Repairs * 575.63
Salary, labor and wages 5,067.97
Supplies 66.56
Profit for 1921 6,737.06
Total $22,302.67
RESOURCES
Purchase of plant $ 55,000.04
Bond money on hand 33,500.04
Permanent Improvements made in 1920 579.70
Permanent improvements made tn 1921 2,719.53
Bills payable 1920 paid 4,000.04
Supplies on hand 3,926.22
Accounts receivable 1,773.1'*
Cashier's account 200.04
Due on meter readings from Sept. 1, 1921, to December 31, 1921.. 1.853.41
Cash In bank 107.92
City
The contract especially stipulates that all material and labor used in
the installation of the system must be first class In avery respect.
The Oconee River Mills have agreed to furnish power to operate the
plant at a cost to tho City on the same basis as that charged the State of
Georgia In the operation of the plant owned by the Sate Sanitarium.
It is believed that perhaps Two Thousand Dollars per annum can he
saved tho City by using electricity over coal and there will also he a con
siderable saving as the use ot chemicals will be out at least fifty per cent.
Your mayor Is highly gratified at the purchase of the wafer plant and also
with the contract made for improvements. When the improvements are
made, it Is his Judgment that the water department of the city can easily
maintain its operating expenaea, retire all maturing water bonds and pay
annually th interest on the deferred bonded water debt. Thus, by this plan
eventually acquiring this most valuable asset for the city without expense
to our CititABA . I —I
Total $103,659.93
LIABILITIES
Water bonds sold $88,690.04
Bills payable 1920 j 4,964.74
Bills payable 1921 _ . .... 2.146.5*
Surplus 1920 1.. 1,811.5*
Net earnings 1921 ... I 6,737.6*
Total $103,659.92
It will be noted from the above that there ha# been spent for permanent
Improvements, enlarging pump from 500 to 600 gallons per minute, extension
of service lines numbers 17 and 18. the sum of $2,711.5?, same being In addi
tion to Interest $3,844.67 and repairs $675.63 for general upkoep. It will aR»
be noted that bills payable hare been reduced.from 84.9B4.78 in 1920 to 8 3 **
111.37. making total net earnings for 1921 of $6^737.0(1
Respectfully submitted,
C. P. SCHELL, Supt.
L. 8. FOWLER, Auditor.
FIRE
The report of Mr. Chas. P. Schell, chief of our fire department, shows
that the firemen responded to fourteen alarne during the year.
The largest fire was on Thursday. Marc> Slat, when the Colored O**
Fellows building was destroyed and consldeieble damage wae done to
storage warehouse and stock of the A. J. (5arr Company, and also to tas
building and stock of their wholesale groiAry store. The fire occurred 11
(Continued on I age 3)