Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-11-11
MEETING Or THE COUNCIL.
The East Side MIL Race Matter Further
Considered-Other Business.


Considered-O Business.
A regular meeting Of the common
council, postponed from November 3,
was held last Wednesday evening, all
members being present except Alder
man Wilson.
The matter of the city's release from
further liability regarding the east side
nill race was opened for discussion by
the reading of the following majority
report from the committee, consisting
of the board Of public works and the
mayor, to whom the question had been
previously referred:
The board of public works, to whom was
referred the report OF the rnayor as to tha
release of liability of the city from it's
share Of the repairs of the mill race on the
east side OF Rock river. report that they have
carefully considered the same and are Ilnani-
mously opposed to the proposition.
NICHOLAS THAUER,
HENRY BIEBER,
ALFRED MEYER
JOHN KESSLER
"A. E. NEEDHAM
1t Will be remembered that the prop
ositlon embodied in the mayors re-
port, above referred to, called for the
payment by the city of ST 900 to each
of the other joint owners of the race,
r. P. Koenig & Co. and the E. Kunert
Manufacturing company, for the city's
release from all liability in the prem
lses and privilege to fill up ae race.
In contravention of the s ntiment
a V NJ -
works, Mayor Rack presented the fol-
lowing minority report:
The board Of public works and the mayor,
to whom was referred the mayors report at
the iast regular meeting, having disagreed
on some OF the most important questions at
issue, beg to submit the following minority
report for your consideration:
hnd there is difference Of opinion be-
tween hOenlg Bro hers and my colleagues
whether or not the Globe Milling cOmpanv's
right to use water from the mill race q t all
stages OF water for steam cOndensing pur-
poses lapsed to koenig Brothers and Kunert
manufacturing company in said race with
the non-rebuilding of Touring mill after the
ola mil was destroyed by fire. Apparently
it was also question of doubt with thp Wa
terWorkS company whether the right was
forfeited, from the fact that the company
did not avail Itself of this water reserve but
constructed, at a greater expense a well in
the river, TO draw the water from. This well
has proved itself incapable of furnish the
required quantity OF water for the Steam
condensers, when at low water mark a very
important matter to be looked after. The
well Is about feet in diameter 4 feet deep
covered with light wire streen which | con
sIder dangerous TO life Reviewing these
IacJs ana considering the expense of build
1n4 a permanent sluiceway, the objection
aO!e, stagnant and filthy water in the mill
race. so near the reservoir th&t supplies the
ci|N with drinking water, the ird2iible liabl-
~. tor race repairs which is Derpetua! and
cciouS TO the plant and the unknown
auount jury would award in case condem-
nation proceedings were resOrted to- lead
me 10 believe ii would be wise and I recon-
menc a release be secured if obtainaIle at
Sz.ihg or less. ! am advised by an eminent
builder, in fact the gentleman who con-
structed the frame work in present use, to
secure the release if the city can get it for
the $1,000 The race could be shut off with
cOuer dam at the. designated place for the
present at small expense. The railroad COM
pany rs wiling to fill up the bridged part of
the race, and when the city's finances per-
mltted, I'LL up the race up to q line south of
Milwaukee street bridge. using the remain
der as a reservoir to be supplied with pure
water now running to waste fion the arte-
slan well This miniature lake could be
stocked with fish and would furnish ample
water Tor the steam condensing pumps al
gravity pressure, thereby a great saving in
coal. An avenue for surface water from
East Milwaukee street, and its tributaries,
could be opened up into the river.
In course OF time when the Plank road
bridge viii have TO be rebuilt the east end
section of the Milwaukee street bridge could
be used for that purpose and the chasm filed
up with earth thereby shortening the pres
ent bridge IL feet which would be great
saving in keeping the bridge in repair.
with this bridge span out Of the way the
railroad company might be induced to place
It's track west OF the power house following
snort curves east Of the power house, and the
city of the present railroad track.
E. RACK Mayor.
Both reports were thoroughly dis
cussed, and the opinion was pretty
general that the city could not at pres
ent afford to pay the amount. asked.
1t VAS claimed the interest on tie
money would keep up all necessary
repairs. The mayor differed with the
aldermen on that idea Finally the
matter was settled By adopting the
majority report and ordering the
minority report filed.
Alderman Stone introduced the fol-
lowing, which was adopted:
Resolued, That the city attorney give the
common council his opinion whether the
city is obliged or not to maintain the sluice-
way, and whether or not the city may be
able to obtain relief through the courts from
any further expense in repairing the race,
ana may not ODUdln 1ull control OF the race
in the city's property, and at what probable
expense.
Upon resolution the board of public
works was instructed to take the neces-
sa1y measures whereby sufficient water
supply will be provided for the con
densers of the pumping station, and
also furnish storm doors and windows
for the water tower.
1t was also resolved to have the
board of public works advertise for
bids for furnishing heating apparatus
for the waterworks power house.
Joseph Reinehr was awarded the
contract for furnishing the city with
coal, at $3.50 per ton for Lackawanna
and 81 Is for Hooking Valley.