The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-06-18
A System of Sewerage.

n Cl vi sewerage
In connection with the local discussion of
the sanitary condition of this village we in
vite careful perusal Of the following letter,
which, though private communication,
has been kindly furnished us for publica-
tion. The writer, former resident, retains
an active interest in the village and its well
fare and expresses a hearty willingness to
help the movement for better sanitary ar
rangements by any means in his power.
Following is the letter, dated the 10th inst.
received a copy of the WATcHMAN this
morning and thank you for sending the
same. | find many items of political and
state, as well as of Montpelier news, of in
terest to me- The announcement of meet
ing called for tomorrow evening, to discuss
measures for improving the sanitary condi-
tion OF the town, prompts me to address you
few words Of suggestion in that line.
Long before | left Montpelier | felt that
a radical change should be made in respect
to the disposal of household waste, and that
II was time to at least begin the discussion
of plans for improved sewerage. One argu-
ment brought against the Introduction of
the Berlin water was that il would necessi-
tate the construction of a system of sewers
at cost approaching, perhaps, that of the
proposed water-works Not doubling, even
then, the desirability of a proper system of
drainage for the town, | went on the prn-
ciple of doing one thing at time, and
favored the immediate introduction of the
water, and letting the question of drainage
come up later for consideration and definite
action.
The water-works are an established
thing and are already returning such a rev.
enue as to make the expenditure for their
construction paying investment in direct
returns, saying nothing of the very great in
direct advantages to the village and to in
dividuals. If worth their cost HOlC as an in
vestment OF funds they are sure to increase
in value with the growth of the town, and
become in time source OF net revenue.
The water debt, therefore, need not be re-
garded as a public burden, to stand in the
way OF further expenditures which may be
decided upon as necessary or desirable for
the public good. | see no reason why Mont
pelier need hesitate, on the ground of ex-
pense, from doing whatever a careful con-
sideration OF the present situation and the
immediate future of the town shows to be
necessary and desirable in the way of drain
age works.
- feel anxious that whenever move is
made to improve the drainage of the village
that no halfway or ill-considered measures
be undertaken. Considerations of economy
would require that when the work is done
it be well done-that is, in a thorough, work
man-like way, and according to the best OBJ
tainable plans. Now it may seem to almost
any one simple matter to provide for the
drainage of the town without the advice or
services OF a sanitary engineer, but it is my
firm conviction that a few hundred dollars
paid to a man like Waring or Bowdtch
for professional services in planning
and supervising the work would be
worth five or ten times as much
expended in any other way. Montpelier
has had the reputation Of being somewhat
slow in undertaking anything, but doing
well and getting something worth having
when she did get around to act definitely.
Drainage is something that requires more
special knowledge than water supply, and
there are half dozen or more men in the
country, | might perhaps say in New Eng.
land, who have made a special study of
sewerage systems and have had a wide
practical experience in the line of construc-
tion. Let such man look the town over,
under the direction of a carefully ly-selected
committee of three or five citizens, and
then submit plans and recommendations to
the committee, to be by them submitted,
with their opinions and suggestions, to
village meeting for dicussion and action. 1t
is important that no money be wasted in
experiments and make-shifts. An engineer
would determine not only the best location
for sewers, but their proper size, shape (that
is, section), grade, form of connections, To-
cation OF openings, ventilation, etc, and be
able to offer many practical suggestions
which could not be expected from non
professional. An engineer would also he
able TO offer valuable advice as to how far
the existing public drains could be utilized
safely in general system of drainage for
the village, and whether it would be de-
sirable TO have the same sewers, or any of
them, carry both surface water and house
hold drainage. My idea has, in a general
way, been that the sewage of the town
should be carried into the Winooski at two
points only-one near the mouth of the.
North Branch and the other below John
Clarks place, in both cases carrying the
outlet well into the iver, instead of simply
dischargng it on the bank or in shallow
water AT all dead ends and perhaps
other points, / would have automatic flush
ing tanks, supplied from the water-works,
which would at intervals discharge, in
fOOd, hogshead or more of water-carry-
ing all accumuations before It TO the river.
A portion of the cost of the main sewers
could properly be charged against those
making use OF the same, thereby lessening
the public charge for construction. Any
sewerage committees report should outline
a plan of division of expense.
" Colonel George Il. Waring planned the
eral supervision OF construction. His
charge was $500, and | have been told that
the town or city was well satisfied with the
work, and also with Colonel Warnings
charge for his professional services. | think
a public address by Colonel Waring on
house drainage and the sewerage of cities
and towns would be a good thing in Mont
pelier, and might be arranged for without
very great expense.
=" / shall be interested in hearing what the
result OF the meeting tomorrow turns out
to be, and hope that much good will come of