City Manager's Letter to the City Council. Gentlemen: In this report I shall not attempt to emphasize the amount of work or the difficulties encountered because of the National emergency and its impact upon local government administration; but shall give you a plain statement of fact be it favorable or unfavorable. In order to arrive at true values over a period of time it is necessary to make comparisons. The several charts in this report are, therefore, definite comparisons. In reviewing the accomplishments and activities of the City Government during the past year the development of the Airport is seen as outstanding. Although the actual work did not come under City control, excepting that specifications, etc., required City approval, the contribution of $75,000 by the City, supplemented by an additional sum by the Maine Military Defense Commission for the purchase of the necessary land, made the development of an Army Air Base here possible. While preliminary negotiations had been made and considerable construction carried out prior to 1941, the change in construction plans resulted in practically the whole existing development as of December 31 having been accomplished during the past year. During the progress of this work many conferences with Government officials were held and agreements and leases entered into, all of which while cooperative, fully safeguarded the City's interests. The Housing Project on Thirteenth Street, for the accommodation of military personnel, came as a direct result of the development of the Air Base. Again, although the City was not involved in the actual construction, certain agreements had to be worked out and ratified. As one unit of government cannot tax another the City is to be reimbursed by the Federal Government for rendering certain services such as fire and police protection, snow removal, garbage collection, etc.

The reports of the various City Departments for the year 1940, as printed herein, are in condensed form, showing the more important functions of the departments that are of interest to the general public. The detial reports are on file at the office of the City Clerk.

This report, covering briefly the municipal activities of the City of Bangor for the year 1939, has been compiled and edited by the City Manager in the hope of a better understanding by the people of our City as to the functions and the accomplishments of their City Government. Without doubt, the vast majority of our citizens lack real knowledge of the operations of their City Government; and it is truly hoped that this publication will not only interest them, but will also aid them to become more civic conscious from a governmental viewpoint as to the activities of our City.

A sample paragraph, regarding Bass Park: "This ever-increasing popular recreational area was greatly enhanced in appearance this past year by acquisition of the old house and garage at the corner of Buck and Main Streets by the Trustees. This, in company with another old house owned by the city, on the Dutton Street side of the property, were both torn down. As a result, the Auditorium area of this park has been developed into lawns and wide parking areas for automobiles, thereby making this Auditorium a most excellent and convenient place for conventions, large gatherings, etc."

As a forward step towards better safeguarding pedestrians and motorists, State Street from Exchange to the Hogan Road and Hammond Street from the City Hall to West Broadway were relighted by the installation of the most modern up-to-date highway lights. A convertible prowl ambulance car -- the first vehicle of its kind purchased by a municipality in this section of the country -- was put in operation in the Bangor Police Department on May 5th. This vehicle, designed for speed and efficiency of operation, was an important addition Lo the department as it is available instantly for ambulance service when an accident occurs.

Again for the fifth time in five consecutive years, despite most adverse conditions brought about the the floods of last spring which wrought havoc with Bangor's bridges, roads, sewers, sidewalks and the Water Works Dam, the City of Bangor not only lived within its budget and finished its fiscal year ending December 31, 1936, with an unexpended balance in its appropriation account, but also was able to conserve $62,355 to the city's Surplus Account, as against $64,455 in 1935. In other words, during each of the past five years, the city spent less money than was appropriated...On March 12th, the Fire Department received an emergency call in the late afternoon, to rescue people by boats, etc., in the Broadway Park and Center Street district, from flooded houses caused by the Meadow Brook Bog breaking loose, flowing over the section of the city, and covering the territory for several hours with many feet of water. [includes photograph].

A report submitted by the Public Works: "SNOW REMOVAL-Bangor was visited last January with the worst snowstorms in many years and snow removal costs for that month went over the $13,000 mark which made a heavy drain on the greatly reduced budget of this Department. However, streets and roads throughout the City were kept open to traffic and this achievement won much praise for Bangor. The public today expects an entirely different service from what satisfied them a few years ago and this cannot be given with inadequate or obsolete equipment."

From the Traffic report: "The handling of automobile traffic today is rapidly becoming the most difficult and the most important part of a Police Department. The traffic situation in Bangor has been handled in a more satisfactory and efficient manner than ever before due to improvements in operating the Traffic Division to changes in the personnel and to modern equipment. The Bangor Police Department is now making a thorough check-up of all public automobiles and trucks as regards proper lights, brakes, etc. and requires defective equipment to be placed in proper condition before these cars are allowed on the highway. In order to make streets safe, this department is carrying on a determined war against speeders, reckless drivers and drunken drivers, in a firm, courteous but impartial manner."[...Bangor Centennial 1934 marked Bangor's one hundredth year as a corporation. Fitting exercises including Firemen's Muster, Races, etc., were held in June. CWA and ERA. Many worth while projects were undertaken and carried out with CWA and ERA Funds. To enumerate all these projects would make this abstract too lengthy. The Water Works Park--a veritable fairyland--has been a wonderful addition to the park system of this City. Another really worth while project has been the Bass Park Municipal Playground, with tennis courts occupied last summer from daylight to dark--its baseball diamonds--football field, and children's playgrounds...]

December 31, 1933 not only marked the end of the second year of the Council-Manager Form of Government in Bangor, under the new charter adopted by the people in September, 1931, but also the end of what has proven to be one of the most difficult in the history of the City. The year 1933 was a trying year, a year when depression and employment were at their lowest ebb, a year of great bank failures, but yet with all it was a year in which Bangor advanced definitely. It was a year in which this City faced the same problems of falling revenues and decreased business activities that have harassed all municipalities, but all in all, Bangor came through 1933 with an exceptionally good record as compared to most other cities. [From the Foreword]