Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-01-03

it until the final determination of the suit
now pending, which may make q radical
change in the whole system.
A much needed sewer was began the
past year and is we'll under way in the
Brooklyn district, viz A trunk or main
sewer to discharge at the outlet of the
main sewer from the east side of the
river. A large sewer from the south to
connect with this new sewer will be
needed in the future, and if the means
were at hand could proftably be construc-
ted now, but 1 apprehend the available
funds can best be used in putting sewers
into streets where an outlet is already
provided.
The demand for sewers is growing ra-
pidlY, and there are sufficient petitions
pending to exhaust your entire appropria-
ton. None of these petitions are without
merit, and in most of the cases are
necessities.
Whether the work of this department is
fully appreciated by the public or not,
am unable to say, but l think few cities of
our size have so efficient service at SO
reasonable expense. The business por-
ton of the town is now well protected and
the residence portion fairly 50.
The board of fire commissioners re-
commend an appropriation for a new
engine house in the northern part of
the town, additional protection is needed
on account of the low pressure upon the
water mains, and the difficulty of drawing
an engine TO thst part. The city owns
lot at the west end of Burton street, near
Bishop, bought for fire purposes.
There is much doubt whether this is so
desirable a location rs others, particularly
at the juntion of North Main and Cherry
streets or North Main and Hill streets
While the council refused to make ap-
propri 4tion and no work can be done
this yea1, it may be well to consider
whether different site from the one
now owned will be preferable, and the
desirability of an exchange if opportunity
offers.
It is high pra' Sc to department, from
an official standpoint at least, to say that
there is little complaint from the public
about it, that it lives within its appropria-
ton, and causes little trouble to its com
missioners. This may be truthfully said
of the police department..
The commissioners, by a committee of
discipline, have patiently listened to all
complaints and diligently sought to re-
move their causes. 1t is an efficient force
both of officers and men.
WATER SUPPLY.
regret to say another year has been
wasted in fruitless discussion over an ad-
ditional water supply, and the city prac-
tically is no nearer the solution of this
question than when the discussion began
So much has been said on this subject
in your boards, in the public press and
elsewhere, that you are familiar with the
arguments for and against each source of
I supply, and it seems useless to go over
them again. The opposition to Hop
brook is mainly on the ground of i'm
purity, and most that has been said on
this score has been said in ignorance
No one familiar with the ground will
claim that Hop swamp is a ranker and
more mucky bog than is Cedar swamp,
and no chemist or expert has ever
shown or claimed there was any material
difference in the purity of the water from
either source. The purest mountain
stream will as surely carry the germs of
an infectious disease as any other, if they
find access to it, and one of the proposed
sources is as liable to such contamination
as the other. Leaving out of account the
report of the special committee, which is
so skilfully drawn that ingenious men
read it either way to their liking, and the
| reports of the board of water CT mmission
ers, and considering the question solely on
| the ground of expediency and public neces-
| sity and utility, is it wise to attempt by
| legislative enactment to take away from
| the board of water commissioners some of
the powers now vested in them, when
comics sedly no department of the city has
| been better managed than this when,
if you shall accomplish it, you are not
certain majority of the, council
will favor your plan, and when
you will certainly delay work at least a
year? To accomplish what! To get lit
tie larger supply of little purer water,
but not of sufficient difference to be de-
tected except by chemist. And this is
| true, as to purity, only of the water of
Chestnut hill and Lindley brooks, and not
of Mad River, for the special report of DR.
Smith of Yale university of September 10,
| 1890, shows indications of sewage contain
ination in that stream greater than in wa
\ ter from either of the other sources
and this is the most dangerous of all i'm
purities.
| l. it not wiser to adopt a recommends.
| ton of the board of water commissioners
| and proceed at once to secure supply OF
pure and wholesome water, to be turned
| into our mains as soon as possible without
hindrance or l gal obstacle; avoiding pos
| sible embarrassment to manufacturers
along Mad River and the liability to heavy
damages from that source, and securing
the great advantage of more equal pres
sure by discharge into our mains at oppo
site parts of the town.
TROLLEY SYSTEM.
The determined opposition to the intro
duction of the trolley system, so called, on
the part of so many, is hard to under
stand, but hope, before the close of this
year, quicker and more extended means