Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-04-18

Fines. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. N.oO
| Dog tax collected. .................... l.6O
| Special tax collected .................. 1884
| Total. .S2l7.5|
The report included over so pro-
posed iusolvents, amounting to $7O.S6,
of which amount 1926 were allowed,
The report included also collections
of water rents from $S0.1l, due March
81.
Mr.. Hosken reported that an open
drain at corner of Bowery and German
streets made that locality very muddy.
Bills amounting to $l,O72 26 were
audited and ordered paid.
Quarterly report of Water Board
was read as follows:
FRosTBuRG, MD, April ID, 1891.
To the Honorable, the Mayor and Council:
The weather and season have been such
since the last quarterly report was made that
little work has been done and, therefore,
little is to be said.
A contract has been awarded to Henry
Williams to concrete part of the bottom and
sides of the reservoir. This would have been
done last fall but the lateness of the season
prevented.
Up to date thirty additional connections
have been made, adding to the annual rev.
enue about $3.50. We have now total of
seventy-fye connections and $3.50 of an
annual revenue. Judging by the demand for
Ivy oil bo oftb a
old water company will connect with the
town system, and others should be made to
see the propriety and economy of doing so
by maintaining the additional 15-cent tax for
interest and sinking fund until competition is
entirely shut off from what is natural
monopoly owned and controlled by the
people.
Abont one-fifth of our connections thus
far are what might be called new; that is
were not consumers of the old system. A
large number of such are asking for connec-
tions and the Board will satisfy them as fast
as possible.
The Baliiff has collected all the rents for
the quarter ending March 31st, excepting one
upon which an appeal has been taken and
which the Board has under consideration.
The amount collected was $SO.l1. The sum
expended in putting in connections, pudding
part of the reservoir, &C., was S47S.O2 The
amount received from the sale of the shanty,
pipe and other material was $84.46.
This is the last quarterly report which the
present Board will make to the present
Mayor and Council. In another month a
new organization will be effected in all de-
partments Of the town government. 1t may
be well, therefore, if the present report should
suggest some amendment to the Water
Board Act, as the result of one years ex-
perience of its working These can be laid
before the next Legislature of the State by
your successors.
The Act provides no method for filling a
vacancy i'll the Board. In case the seat filled
by the Council should become vacant there
would probably be no dispute as to the
method of filling the vacancy. But in case
of vacancy occurring in a seat filled by the
the people, dispute might arise between the
Board, Council and the people, each claim
ing the right to fill the vacancy, or the men,
bers from which by tie vote inconvenience
and even stoppage of business might result.
1t would also be advisable if one of the two
members elected by the people held over, as
is now the case with three members of the
Council. There should always be one men,
Der in each new Board conversant with the
affairs ofthe preceding Board
1t is question whether the Baiiff is the
proper person to collect the water rents, one
of the most important departments of the
Board. He is not appointed by the Board
but by the Council, yet the Board is IN a
measure responsible for the faithful perform.
ance of his duties. If, however. he is to
collect the rents, should he receive extra pay
The whole of his time belongs to the Mayor
and Council, and he should be expected to do
all that is required of him for an equitable
sum fixed before his election and not
changeable during his term of Office. 1t
would, however, be best if the Board was
permitted to arrange for collecting it's own
rents by person under its supervision and a
proper bond. All of which is respectfully
submitted
~. JONES, President
ALEXANDER C. HAvERsTrcK, Sec.
GEORGE HosKEN.
NIL hdHtuNTl FepOTleu tudC several
leaks had sprung in the mains of the
Frostburg water company, whereupon
the Mayor instructed the Bailiff to no.
tify superintendent of the company to
stop the leaks.
Mr.. Doub inquired whether there
had not been a committee appointed
to confer with railroad officials con-
corning better and more convenient
station accommodations for the town,
Mr.. Dewitt said Council should take
action at once. He thoughtif Council
or citizens would approach president
Mayer with $4,000 or $1,000 to aid in
getting the station near centre of town,
that he would negotiate to that end.
Mr.. Doub moved that committee
to call public meeting for Tuesday
evening. April 81, to hear the senti-
ments of the people on the subject,
and that Mayor elise be one of the
committee. Carried.
Mayor elise appointed Messrs. Doub
and Michael his associates.