The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-01-31
EVERYBODY FOR WATER

A Large Town Meeting in Bel Air-The Town
Commissioners Instructed to Contract for
Water Supply.
A large public meeting of representative citi-
zens and Taxpayers of B ! Air was held in the
Court House, last Saturday night, Jan. 25th.-
1t was called by the Town Commissioners. in
accordance with provision of the town char
ter.
Mr.. George Y. Maynadier was called to the
chair and VIM. d. Ilnrryman appointed srcre-
tary.
At the request of the chair Dr. ]. Camp But
Ter, County Health Officer, made a statement
concerning an analysis OF water from certain
wells in the place, made year ago by Prof.
Tony. This showed that much Of the water
is absolutely unfit for domestic USE few |
months ago there was almost an epidemic |
oftyphoid fever, aud while he would not say |
that the water responsible for this, he |
could say that imperfect drainage is the cause |
OF most of the sickness we have here. He |
thought that the only pure water in the place
is in the artesian well at Mr.. W. Smithson For.
woods new house.
Col. Ohio s. Lee said that few weeks ago
a move towards securing protection of our pro-
perty from fire. We might do, he said with
out railroads or liquor saloons, but we can't do
without water. These gentlemen had deter
mined that if backed up by the people of Bel
Air they would organize water company and
put pure water at every mans door and fire
plugs throughout the town, provided the town
corporation would agree to pay the company
a certain amount per Year for a Term
of years, sufficient to justify them in undertake
ing the risk.
The water here may may not be impure,
but it is absolutely necessary 10 have water of
some kind to put out fires. When brought
here people can have it put in their houses or
not, as they please.
Col. Lee read Engineer A. K. T Lackie's re-
port and estimates of supplying Bel Air with
water from Winters and Bynum's Runs. From
the former it would cost the company S33 50S05
and from the latter S36, 103.O5. All things con-
sidered Mr.. Lackie regarded Bynum's Run. as
the cheapest source. The company proposes,
Col Lee said, 10 get the purest water to be
had.
Mr.. s. a. Williams said that investors must
be satisfied that The water supply is sufficient
and that the revenues of the company will Fay
a reasonable interest on the investment. With
a guarantee from the town of $500 the first
year, 500 the second yea and 5000 annually
thereafter, for from 10 to 90 years. and assur-
ances of water being taken by the Carriage
Factory, the Mill at the depot, the Railroad
company, the County Commissioners for the
use of the Court House and Jail, and by indivi-
duals there would be some prospect that the
water company could pay reasonable interest
to those who pledge their credit 10 establish
the water supply. 1t might be some time be
fore the citiz,ns generally would abandon their
pumps, and therefore for the first year or two
the company asked for little more money to
interest on their debt.
Mr.. A. r. 7. Lackie, in reply to questions,
said his estimates provided for 35 fire plugs $50
| feet apart, with two hose attachments on each,
so that four streams, at least could be thrown
at once upon fire occurring anywhere in the
town. The water can be thrown TO a height Of
so or 60 feet by the pressure from the stand
pipe, which is 10 be 65 feet high and So feet in
diameter.
| Mr.. Lackie said ii would be uncertain about
getting sufficient supply by an artesan we'll.
Two or three thousand dollars might he spent
in boring for water, 10 no available purpose.
Col. Lee said the proposet company had
under consideration a plan for getting water
from several large springs near Rock Spring
Church.
Mr.. John j. Alexander moved that u commit
tee of seven citizens be appointed to confer with
the water company and report To an adjourned
public meeting.
Resolutions were offered by Mr. j. NJ. Street,
which after amendment authorized the Town
Commissioners, in their discretion, to contract
the proposed water company for sufficient
number of fre-pugs and water for the same,
to give the town of Bel Air fair and rea-
sonable fire protection, said contract to be for
fifteen years, at an annual charge not exceed
ing $500 for the first year, S700 for the second
year and 5000 annually thereafter for the re.
mainder of the term, the number of fire plugs
and their location TO he designated by he Town
Commissioners and the Engineer IN charge of
the work. Also that the Town Commissioners
make application To the Legs ature for the
necessary leg islation to enable them TO make
valid contract with the water company.
After the resolutions were amended Mr.. Alex
ander withdrew his motion.
Mr. F. w. Baker, chairman of the Town
Comm iss ioners, stated that the taxable basis
of the town is $500, GOO, and it would require for
the first year an additional tax of 20 cents on
the 500 to provide the sum required by the
water company.
Remarks were made by Messrs. John Bauer,
N. n. Mock and others, and after adopting the
resolution as amended by rising vote, the
meeting adjourned.