The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1889-08-15

The REPORTER mas always maintained
that could the voters of this Corporation
get Il fair opportunity to vote directly
- lydrant in the village at a fair price
their action would be favorable. If this
is a correct premise and the theory that
the works are satisfactory 10 the people
of the village is a correct one, the point
for consideration is simply what is fair
price and it is useless to lumber up the
question with side issues.
First let us examine the matter In the
light of the cost Of the works putting the
figures at 500, 900 which is somewhat be-
low the actual cost. The cost Of carry
ing the works along involves, interest,
expense Of running, repairs, taxes, insur-
ance and incidcntals. The works could
have been put in without the hydrants
aud with pipe pumps and reservoir sulli-
cient for supply for domestic purposes
for 50 per cent of the present cost or
$4,000. If this IS so the difference in
the one item of interest is $500 to say
nothing in regard to the difference In the
running expense, the taxes, insurance,
wear and tear, etc. which would bring 1t
up to 5000, Therefore basing the rem
tai upon the absolute cost of building,
maintaining and running the work,
fair rental would be s. 300 and this the
Water Company should have to get an
even and fair deal with the Corporation.
Second look at the question in com
parson with what other towns in Maine
pay for hydrants. Fairfield pays $1,000
per hydrant Wateryille pays $40; Gardi-
ner so Richmond, so; Bath, $40; Cam
den, S50 Rockland 800 Dover and Fox
craft, 500 Norway, s4si Calais, $50;
Brewer, $40; Pressure Isle s6O Houton,
37j Fort Fairfield, $50; Biddeford, $50;
Randolph, $50; Farmingdale, $50,
Augusta furnishes so hydrants at S2j
per hydrant and Auburn has combina-
ton arrangement with the Company
whereby the city bears part Of the con-
structlon expense.
Thus the average price of MIGRANTS in
TO WINS above stated is SIS II and If there
are not too many hydrants in our village
the cost of the 10 MIGRANTS would be
$36j7.75 rental per year to bring them to
an average with the hydrant rental in the
10 towns and cities in Maine mentioned
above.
In view of the above figures the Offer
made by Mr.. Weston at the last corpora
ton meeting to furnish Is hydrants for
an annual rental Of 81 600 is 500 below
the fair interest upon the extra cost Of
domestic supply purposes; is $1,000 be-
low this with the extra expense of main
tanning and running, and is SlG57.75 be-
low the average hydrant rental in 10
towns and cities in Maine.
The sum Of 1900 Is the very lowest
figure that the Water Company ought to
take for hydrant rental, and they better
take out their MIGRANTS and store them
than to take less.
The proposition submitted at the last
corporation meeting by Mr.. l.. l., Nor
rison, If we remember Alright, was that
water for flushing sewers, for several
watering troughs, water for drinking
fountains and the village school houses
be included in the contract he would in
struct the committee to make with the
Company. Mr. Morrison and every other
intelligent man In the village knows that
the Village Corporation has nothing
,9..-hes..eereF 10 do with these things These
are town matters, and the town of Show
fairs.
One duty of the Village Corporation Is
to give the property of the village the
best possible protection from destruction
by fire, and, until this is done, we humbly
suggest that 1t better not NEEDLE with
town affairs, more especially as whatever
it attempts In this line will be null and
void.
There is no reason why Skowhegan
Village Corporation should pay more than
any thing Is worth, neither Is there any
good reason why, because 1t is a corpor-
alive body for specific public purposes,
it should haggle with Il company of It's
citizens to get things at half their worth,
and we do not believe there are any con-
siderable number of men In this village
who justify this method, and shall not
believe 1t until we are obliged to.