HomeMy WebLinkAbout2798 Report of Committee on Water Department, no date but presumed 1906Art 2
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON WATER DEPARTMENT.
The Committee appointed to investigate the conditions of the
Water Department made a report under date of May 21st, 1906, and at an
adjourned Town meeting, the Town received the report as one of Progress,
continued the Committee in existence, adopted its recommendations, and
at the same time authorized the selectmen
"To see all Water Works buildings and machinery, including the
"dwelling house on the Lincoln Street property, and a sufficient
"parcel or parcels of land adjoining such buildings to make them
"available to purchaser".
Upon seeking a customer for this property, the Selectmen found
that to sell it in separate items was not the best course to pursue,
particularly as there is some question as to some of the boundaries of
the different lots. Therefore, it appears to be necessary for the
Selectmen to come to the Town for a broader and more specific authorization
to sell this property.
The recommendation of the Committee is that the entire property,
consisting of buildings and meadow lands, be sold at a price not less
than a sum to be determined by the Assessors and Selectment, - reserving,
however, some five acres of land now used for a play-ground.
It is the intention of the Selectmen to insert an article in the
warrant for the next March meeting asking for this authorization.
The sale of this property will, certainly, prove beneficial to
the Town, inasmuch as it will produce enough money to reduce the tax rate
for 1907 about $1.50 per $1000, - besides placing the property in the
hands of individuals who will improve the same, and pay annual taxes
thereon.
While the Committee does not known the exact condition of the
finances of the Water Board, the account must necessarily show a great
improvement over the conditions of May last, inasmuch as the receipts for
water from the Town, and from individuals, will include fifteen months'
income,- that is, the last three months of 1905 and the full twelve
months of 1906,- and this additional three months' income is estimated
at $5,000. Besides this, a large income has been obtained from various
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sources which will not be available in future years, so while the
over-drafts of this Department will be practically wiped out on April
1st, the income which has enabled the Department to bring about re-
sult has not come from the increased rates charged the water takers.
We understand that this increase has amounted to only $800.
during the last six months of 1906; therefore, we can only depend upon
some $1500 or $1600, increase over the old income from the present
water rates. Therefore, we believe it would be extremely unwise to
make any reduction in the rates, - at least for the present.
We believe, however, that the Town should be metered, and to
this end we suggest the passage at this meeting of the following vote;-
"VOTED that the Water Board is hereby authorized and requested to
"procure and install from time to time water meters upon the premises
"of such takers of water as shall apply for meters and pay the actual
"cost of procuring and installing them.
"The rates to be paid for metered water shall, in the absence
"of a determination of them by vote of the Town, be those from time
"to time established by the Water Board; and the Board may deduct
"from the water bills of one taking water through such meter two
"dollars a year, or at that rate for part of a year, until the
"aggregate of such deductions shall amount to the original cost of
" the installed meter. SUch meters shall be kept in repair by the
"Water Department at the expense of the owner, the cost of repairs
"made from time to time to be added to his water bill.
"Each applicant for a meter shall sign an agreement with the
"Town to abide by the foregoing terms of this vote and such other
"provisions not inconsistent, herewith as the Water Baord may deter-
"mine. Each application shall be accompanied by a deposit of ten
"dollars as an advance payment on account of cost of the installed
"meter".
Under such vote a good beginning may be made during the present
year, and if at the end thereof it should be found that a considerable
number of takers, - especially the larger users, shall not have availed
themselves of the privilege accorded, it will probably be best to pass a
vote making the installment and use of meters obligatory upon all users.
The Committee will offer at this meeting revised By-Laws covering
the Water Department affairs which are more in accordance with the
present conditions.
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This report is submitted as Report of Progress.
Respectfully ,
Geo W. Taylor
Frank D. Peirce
Henry A. C. Woodward
G. D. Milne
F. W. Johnson
Art 2
Taylor motion
V o t e d that the Water Board is hereby authorized
and requested to procure and install from time to time water
meters upon the premises of such takers of water as shall apply
for meters and pay the actual cost of procuring and installing
them.
The rates to be paid for metered water shall, in the
absence of a determination of them by vote of the town, be
those from time to time estabished by the Water Board; and the
Board may deduct from the water bills of one taking water
through such meter two dollars a year, or at that rate for
part of a year, until the aggregate of such deductions shall
amount to the original cost of the installed meter. Such
meters shall be kept in repair by the Water Department at the
expense of the owner, the cost of repairs made from time to
time to be added to his water bill.
Each applicant for a meter shall sign an agreement
with the town to abide by the foregoing terms of
this vote and such other provisions not inconsistent herewith
as the Water Board may determine. Each application shall be
accompanied by a deposit of ten dollars as an advance payment
on account of cost of the installed meter.
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