The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-04-21

Boiler repairs .............. IS SO
Pump repairs. ...... 90
Electric lamps ,...... ...... 8 90
steam hose...................... 40
Elec. light PEI contract. go 90
Engineers Salaries. ... .'..".. 1857 20 20
1891 80
requested me TO keep down the expenses of the
water works. system to the lowest possible
amount, and from the above statement IL will
be seen that the request has been complied
with, and that no unnecessary item of expense
appears against the pumping account.
Some needed repairs should be made this
year, however, In order to meet the demand
which will be called upon to supply, and feel
1t my duty to call your attention to them:
A new floor Is needed at the station, as the
old one Is unsafe. 1 am of the opinion that q
concrete floor with an asphalt covering will be
advisable, and could be done at the same time
that main street is paved. will submit plan
OF this If desirable.
The pumps have now been in service for ten
years with little II any repairs, but are showing
much wear, especially the plungers, which are
one-elghth incn less In diameter than when
new: this reduces the capacity to q considera.
bic extent, and as our system is continually
growing and we are called upon to pump more
water: our machinery should not be reduced in
capacity. New plungers are therefore neces
S1ty.
The piston rods for the water ends are badly
worn and If replaced would give us better
service and would result in a saving of packing
III,
to their 81 eatest possible extent of service lad
the experiences OF that fire may be repeated at
any moment, as we have larger buildings and
as infamable ones. Had either pump given
out during that fire Owosso would have suf-
fered n terrible loss. The constant growth Of
the works has made ii impossible for one pump
to give US IRE protection, consequently both
pumps have 10 be used and should one be dis
abled at any time IL would result badly. | am
OF the opinion that one larger pump should be
purchased, With capacity of three times our
present ones tn be used IN case of large fires
and extra occasions, when we are called on to
pump large quantities OF water leaving the pres
at present
The water supply is not adequate to the de-
mands 1t being entirely exhausted AT one time
during the last year, and at the time of the
Woodland fire less than 260L0 gallons were in
the reservoir and the river was resorted TO at
once. As with the pumps so is IL with the
watersupply; more demands are beng made on
the works and less water is obtained from the
present source Of supply. More services are
being added, more fixtures attached sewers too
flush, miles OF streets are being spunkled, and
the people are asking for more, and the supply
OF water Is GROWN less year by year. Some
thing must be done in this direction, and at
once, the present supply is as sure 10 fail dur
inS the summer, as the sun Is 10 rise on each
day.
In the annual buget of last September the
board asked for an appropriation OF $3.50 with
which 10 prcure 100 meters, as 1t was thought
by placing meters on the services using the
most water, the saving of water thereby
would not necessitate the procuring of an addi-
Jional or new supply, but the Appropriation
was not allowed, there seems TO be only one
thing TO do and that Is 10 procure more water
at once, either by deepening our old wells,
making new ones, or getting new supply from
some other point that will give us relief.
During the year 4S meters have been pl ced
on the works, all giving good satisfaction TO the
consumer, with one exception) ana as result
many more are being asked for. AS we have no
meters on hand ask for instructions regard
ing the purchase OF the same.
Only one hundred ninety feet OF new mains
were laid during the year 1898. and was for the
purpose of giving additional fire protection to
Robbins Table Co., and can assure you that it
Is thoroughly appreciated by the company, and
has been good Investment for the city, as it
has been the means OF making circulating
main OF an otherwise dead end, which would have
frozen solid and might have cost more for re-
pairs than the new main. Forty four new taps
were added to the works during the last year at
o cost of $685.. rs, or an average of Sl2 "a.
Our ordinance calls for a fee of five dollars
for tapping the main and the city pays for
taking the water to the curb line, you will take
notice that 1T has cost the city 81 "a to carry the
water to the curb and that II will take at least
two years of domestic water before the city
derives the least income from the tap.
In Detroit, also Grand Rapids, and some
other cities, the city charges the tapping fee.
but the con sumner pays the plumber for the SER
vice pipe from the MAN, consequently the city
is nothing out on new services, as only the cost
of the corporation cock, and the tap itself is
paid for by them. This seems TO me would
be well TO consider, as the prices OF lead pipe
and brass goods has advanced so far as to make
the taps n still larger expense TO the city.
The water troughs all over the city are in the !
worst possible condition and should be replaced |
with new ones and at once. The one on Water |
street is worse than the rest. The Brewing
Company asks for its removal to some other |
point as they desire to build and the trough !
will stand right in front OF u door which would |
cut them fl from using the same
The MIGRANTS are in need of coat OF paint /
and many of them should be raised TO conform |
with the grade OF the streets, or where filling !
has been done by the city since they were first |
placed. Respectfully submitted,
9. II. COSSITT Supt
Aid. Walsh submitted the following report |
( ON the Board OF Health.
Owosso, April 8, 1859.
city OF Owosso.
Gentlemen-Your Board of Health beg leave |
to submit its annual report, and congratulates |
its city upon its general healthful conditions |
The board has had its usual work TO do during |
the year, and In every case reported TO the |
board q personal Inspection has been made. |
In the main our work has been harmonious. |
Our citizens have willingly complied with the |
OF the board in most cases. In this |
we desire to thank them and Owes |
SOS daily newspapers for the publicity given TO |
the suggestions OF the board.
The boaru would sugge that the sewer Sys-
tenn be extended as rapidly as possible, and
that householders use the same for carrying of |
privy and other waste; Also, that the surface |
drainage OF the city be more carefully looked |
after and ar, re%edied We suggest that an or
the emptying OF refuse Of any kind Into Com |
stock creek. and that the creek should be |
cleaned out this spring.
The board has encountered serious obstacle |
In compelling non-residents who own property |
in the city TO put their premises In proper sanl'
tary condition. There is no ordin .nce giving |
the board power to order the work done and |
make IL a lien upon the property M
The city has passed through another epidemic |
OF diphtheria, there being from the 10th of |
August to April a total OF 100 cases under |
quarantine, besides q multitude of cases OF sore |
throat. There were six deaths from diph-
iberia. The board founa In necessary TO prose
cute parent for not reporting case Of diph |
iberia In his family to the health office. con-
viction followed. The Central School building |
was closed for ten days on account of case OF |
diphtheria in the sections family. and was |
thoroughly disinfected before being opened |
The board would suggest that the public health |
would be much better II all school rooms, |
churches and public halls were disinfected oc-
casionally.
During the year there have been ~ cases of
measles, of typhoid fever, of membranous
Group. Alleys inspected, As; privies ordered
cleaned, 2sS, pig pens ordered removed, @;
private drains ordered cleaned, 10; cess pools
40 nd hu tod o. H.