City Bureaus Keep Costs Within Budget for 1937

Camden Courier-Post – February 11, 1938

Brunner Lauds Rulers for $40,000 Saving by Co-operation in Offices

$302,000 IS VOTED ON STREET BONDS

All departments of the city government were operated within the budget appropriations during 1937 and the city’s saving, as a result, was $40,000, Mayor George E. Brunner announced yesterday. “I believe it is the first time in years that all departments have finished a year without a single departmental deficit,” Brunner commented.

The Mayor expressed public thanks and commendation to his fellow commissioners for “whole-hearted cooperation with me, as the city’s chief fiscal officer, in giving the taxpayers a break.” Brunner’s announcement was made at the meeting of the city commission in connection with approval of routine interdepartmental transfers of unspent funds to balance the various bureau budgets. Figures for the individual departments were not released.

The commission approved the form of a $302,000 bond issue to pay the Pennsylvania railroad and subsidiaries for the right of way in Seventh street, purchased but not paid for by a previous commission.

The bonds will mature serially and will bear interest at 3% percent.

An ordinance amending the 1924 ordinance on protection, regulation and control of trees, in city parks and streets was passed on final reading.

Michel Explains Ordinance

Commissioner Frederick von Nieda asked Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., to explain the new provisions, and Hartmann referred him to City Solicitor Firmin Michel, who explained:

The 1924 ordinance vested powers to permit plantings or removals and to fix penalties in the “Department of Parks,” which does not exist.

The amendment vests these powers in the Bureau of Parks, the body which has control of trees and “other arboreal improvements.”

The amendment also substitutes for specific arbitrary penalties for violation, as provided in the original ordinance, the blanket city ordinance penalties of fines not to exceed $200 and imprisonment not to exceed six months, or both.

“In my opinion the old penalties were not valid because they were not left to the discretion of the magistrate presiding,” Michel said. “The city has the right to fix penalties, but must not attempt to take away the discretionary rights vested in magistrates.”

The vote was unanimous after this explanation.

City Fund Increased

Approval of two resolutions providing adjustments on taxes and other liens on two properties will give the city $1450 in cash.

The commission approved acceptance of $1000 from Sylvan I. Seligman in settlement of unpaid taxes and liens, including the year 1937, on premises designated as the North side of Baird Boulevard, Bridge boulevard and Maplewood street.

The other resolution provided acceptance of $450 in settlement of municipal claims on a property at 331 Royden street. The adjustment was made with the Beckett Building & Loan Association.

“In both these cases Mayor Brunner was successful in obtaining more money than was offered originally,” Hartmann said.

In the first settlement,Hartmann said, the original amount was doubled and in the latter instance the amount was increased to give the city $150 additional. He then commended the Mayor for his record of driving consistently good bargains in tax settlements.

The election of three constables was approved. Hartmann nominated Peter Giardini, of 331 Beckett street, and Cyril J. Hughes, of 2262 South Eighth street. Commissioner Mary W. Kobus nominated Eugene Livingston, of 1025 Cooper street. All were elected for three year terms.

Bonds posted by James P.Conaghy, of the Sixth ward, and Frank J. Suttill, of the Seventh ward, both elected constables two weeks ago, were approved.

Title Sales Approved

Sale of three tax title certificates on as many properties was approved. Margaret A. Powell purchased the certificate covering the property at 506 Broadway upon agreement to pay all municipal liens.

Walter Dumbleton purchased certificates on property at 130 North Eleventh street and 2012 Arlington street, under a similar agreement.

Seven properties were acquired by payment of $175 for assignment of deeds. A resolution authorized the payment of $75 to Edward Handlers and wife for deeds covering 1418, 1420 and 1422 South Fourth street; payment of $75 to Elvena Simpson, for properties at 136, 138 and 140 Stanley street, and $25 to the Juniper Investment Corporation, covering premise’s at 1029 Segal street.

The commission approved cancellation of taxes and liens on three properties acquired by foreclosure.

A used car sales license for Walter Viegel, 1169 Cooper street, and transfer of the license of George R. Van Sciver from Twelfth and State streets to 2610 Federal street, were approved. Hartmann objected to granting licenses to dealers who leave cars parked in city streets.

“Between billboards, used car lots and cars parked in our city streets the City of Camden looks swell,” Hartmann said. He voted in favor of both licenses.