THE FIEST $1,000,000 



111 



COURTS AGAIXST ASSESSilEXTS. 



"I am advised that under the decision of the courts these 

 assessments cannot be collected. So far the losses discov- 

 ered aggregate $1,000. 



"This matter you will understand is a serions one to the 

 city. Believing, however, that an adjustment can be made 

 satisfactory to you and the county of Essex, I respectfully 

 request that you attend a conference in my office Friday 

 morning at 10 o'clock. An invitation has also been sent the 

 counsel of your board. 



"Pending the conference, the ordinance of the Board of 

 Street and Water Commissioners vacating certain streets for 

 park purposes will be held under consideration. 



"Very truly yours, 



"James M. Setmoue, Mayor." 



There was apparently no objection made to closing the 

 streets, but, as this letter indicates, both boards were, so to 

 speak, fencing for position. There were questions both of 

 ethics and equity involved. The city officials were naturally 

 desirous of recovering if possible on the assessments as they 

 appeared on the official books, and to obtain as large a con- 

 tribution as could be secured toward the costly sewer. The 

 courts had ruled out the assessment claims as against the 

 commission, but they were not omitted as a factor in the 

 negotiations. After various conferences, $40,000 was the 

 proportion or share the city officials asked the commission 

 to contribute toward the Millbrook sewer expense. 



The commissioners contended that the assessment matter 

 was in no way under consideration; that the expenditures 

 for park improvements were of great benefit to the city ; and 

 that to divert public funds from the purpose thus designated 

 to pay for municipal necessities such as drainage, would be 

 an unwarranted procedure, and, under the circumstances 

 then existing, on the principle of "robbing Peter to pay 

 Paul." 



