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Street Lighting And Other Recommendations

Street Lighting And Other Recommendations image
Parent Issue
Day
6
Month
March
Year
1903
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Mayor Copeland sent the following message to the council Monday evening:

 

Ann Arbor, Mich., March 2, 1903. To the Honorable the Common Council:

 

Gentlemen - There are three matters of municipal importance to which I desire to cali the attention of your honorable body. The condition of our funds is such that the effect of any decision on your part must in all probability be postponed until the tax levy is made. However, each proposition is one for which there is a popular demand.

 

STREET SIGNS.

The question of street signs has already received some attention. In order that it may not be overlooked when next year's budget is made up, I suggest the appointment of a committee consisting of the junior aldermen, with Alderman Johnson as chairman. This committee can investigate the various schemes used for designating streets and make its report after the reorganization of the council.

 

PUBLIC SCALES.

The charter contemplates and provides for an official scaler of weights and measures. While it designates the city clerk as this official, to my mid the proper place for the public scales is the fire engine house corner, where one of the firemen could be deputized to preside over it. The city engineer estimates the entire expense of installation at $350. This amount of money can be invested in no other way to bring more direct benefit to every citizen. I suggest a committee consisting of the junior aldermen, with Ald. Grose as chairman, to investigate and report on this matter.

 

THE LIGHTING SYSTEM.

The Electric Light company has indicated its willingness and desire to spend a large sum of money in improving the lighting service. I have taken pains to get from about twenty cities representing both public and private contracts, copies of their franchises, hours of lighting, expense to the city, etc. These papers I will turn over to the committee raised by your order.

 

In the hours of lighting and efficiency of the service our system needs improvement. To consider this matter I suggest a committee consisting of the junior aldermen, with Alderman Schlenker as chairman.

 

I have no desire to usurp the functions of the next mayor or for you to impose upon the next council, but these matters will require action very early in order to be cared for in the next budget. Each will require the study of the committee and cannot be settled except after careful consideration of systems used in other cities.

 

I respectfully suggest the appointment of these committees. Undoubtedly the next council will hear their reports and take proper action thereon.

 

Respectfully, R. S. Copeland, Mayor.

 

On motion of Ald. Koch the message was laid on the table.