Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-08-29
The Sewerage Question.
Letter From Judge Kinsman.

Letter From Judge Kinsman.
EDITOR CHRONICLE:
As the work on our public Sewers has fully
commenced, it seems to produce some agita
ton in the minds of some individuals who
are apparently forgetful of the action and ex.
preston of public sentiment IN reference &c
town improvements, for the last eighteen
months at least.
think it will be recollected that the SUBJ
jeet of street paving was very generally agi,
tated last year. Proposals were asked for
paving and grading our streets, a number OF
propositions were received for that object,
none of which were satisfactory TO the coun-
Gil and were rejected.
In connection with paving it was thought
by many that a system of Sewerage should be
adopted before paving, as in many instances
the paving would have to be removed to
place the Sewers, mucht to the damage Of the
paving.
This sentiment seemed to prevail, snd last
winter a law was asked to extend the privi-
lege granted to cities of the second class for
Sewerage.
Such a law was passed, as also one author
izing the levying of a tax to grade and pave
the public streets through and by public
grounds, to meet the apparent wants of this
community, and a Mayor and Council were
proposed at the spring election that were un-
derstood - be in favor of action under those
laws. indeed it was expressly understood in
the meeting that made the nomination, that
the Council, if elected, were to take action
under those laws; the nominees at that meet
ing were elected, and they felt instructed to
go on with the improvements.
That the public might be fully apprised of
the law, and the action of the Council as
they progressed, the Sewer law was publish
ed in various papers. Next, the division Of
the town into Sewer districts, and the line of
main Sewer in district number one, was de-
fined as proposed, and that was also publish
ed before any action was taken by the Coun-
Gil, for the purpose of promoting discussion
as to the proper line of Sewerage.
That notice did promote some discussion,
and an alteration in the line proposed was
made so as to fix the discharge north, in
of south, of the Hoyt & Co., Block
An ordinance was then passed fixing the dis
and line of main Sewerage n district
one. That ordinance was published.
committee consisting of L.. j. Iddings, Il.
B. Perkins and j. Dana were then appoint
I'd to make the assessment of the tax.
That committee labored more than two
weeks faithfully to properly adjust the assess
ment and in due time made their report. I
learn that upon the examination of the law
the general bearing of the whole subject
they were compelled to adopt a different line
of assessment from that which the first view
of the subject presented to them. That they
acted honestly in making the assessment
there can be no doubt, that in some cases in
mayb found, there can be but little
doubt, but in general upon investigation, its
bearing 1 think will be found as uniform as
most assessments of the kind. Their report
was placed on file, giving the xactassessment
on eachproperty holder, for acceptance or re-
lection by the Council. Ten days notice
was then given by the Council to all interes-
ted, to file their objections and come to a meet
ing of the Council appointed for that purpose
to urge their objections. The Council then had
it in their power to accept or reject the whole
on good cause being shown. No OBJ
lection at that meeting was urged to the
Council and the report was accepted and levy
made in accordance with it.
A Sewer committee was appointed, who
proposals for the work; the first propo-
sitions received by the committee were re-
garded too high and rejected. Recently a
favorable proposition was received which
was accepted and the work went under con-
tract.
With the commencement Of the work an
effort is apparently being made to create a
prejudice against the whole action of the
Council and if by possibility induce the stop
ping of the work.
1t can only now be said thatif objections to
the work exist, there was certainly time
and opportunity given to show them, and it
would seem a little too late to denounce the
Mayor, Council and committee of assess
ments for doing what they were virtually in
to do. The tax as a matter Of course
is heavy on real estate owners, but not like a
common ordinary tax, as it Will add value to
the property in most cases equal to the
amount of tax. f. KINSMAN.