The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-01-04
IMPROVEMENTS.
Some City Work That Has
Been Done and What 1t Has
Cost.

There has been a considerable
amount Of public work done in the
city during the year 1894, the most
important of which is the putting in
of the Byron street sewer, and that on
Broad street, by which connection
with the brewery was made, thus
settling question which has agitat-
ed the city for several years back.
While the manner in which it was
settled may not have been as salts
factory to all parties concerned, as it
would had some other course been
adopted, yet the fact that it is settled
is matter of congratulation.
There has been a more general
movement toward making sewer and
water connections this year than ever
before. The city authorities have
carried on condemnatory proceedings
in many portions where better sani-
tary precautions were becoming more
urgent, while the general value, COM
fort and convenience of such modern
improvements are becoming more gen.
orally impressed upon the minds of
the people, and as the residence por-
tion of the city become more densely
populated, the Importance Of such
connection from a hygienic stand
point is becoming more apparent to
all. And it is but proper that greater
use should be made of these advan-
tages which the city has, at great
cost, placed at the disposal of its citi-
Zens. No better water or sewer sys-
TENS can be found anywhere, and
great as the cost may have been, it is
a mere bagatelle when the public
health and human life is taken into
consideration. 1t is to be hoped that
that the work which has proceeded so
well this year will be carried on to a
greater extent next year, and so con-
tinued until the city is well provided
for in this respect.
During the past season there has
been 6,915 feet of sewer pipe laid.
This exceeds any seasons work for
several years, and brings the total of
sewer mains laid in the city, up to
26,427 feet. The exact cost of this
we have been unable to obtain.
The water system has also been
greatly extended in various portions
of the city, and total of 3, 209 feet of
water mains have been laid, making
total of ten and SiX-tenths miles of
water mains in the city. Five n.y.
drants have been put in during the
year.
Extensive improvements have been
made in the matter of sidewalks,
some IL, 1856 lineal feet of new walk
having been laid, beside a large
amount of repairing done. Cross
walks of stone to the extent of 1,620
lineal feet have also been put down.
The condition of the city in this re-
spect is good, and is constantly i'm
proving. Much street work has
been done in the way of repairs and
grading, so it will be seen that the
board of public works has been busily
engaged in looking after the interests
of the city.
AS above stated we have been un-
able to obtain from the city officials a
detailed account of the improve
ments made, but up to November
18th contracts for city work had
been let aggregating $26, 1886. This
is exclusive of all work undertaken by
the city itself.
The city pay roll for street work
for the year will reach in round num-
bers $4,000. This with the sum paid
out for contract work, has gone largely
to the laboring men of the city and
and has had most beneficial effect
in these close times.
Besides the above there has been
expended on the city park the sum of
ST, 1889.
There has been pumped during the
year by the city water works some
where in the neighborhood of 3l8,-
OBS, 666 gallons of water, or an aver
age of 81, 1888 gallons daily. This is
about third more than the amount
pumped last year. The board of pub
lie works state that the increase is
legitimate, and as the mains are ex-
tended, and connections made, there
will be continued gradual increase.
They further state the above amount
represents the full pumping capacity
of the wells, and that whenever
there is any increase another well
will have to be put down.