Waterbury Democrat., 1900-12-05
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Recommend That the City Pay 5000
 to Mad River Water Co.

to Mad River Water Co.
 The board of public works held a meeting yesterday afternoon. there being present Mayor kilduff, Commis- sioners Whiting. Chesson, Mahaney, Blakeslee, Scully, Superintendent Rei ley of the street department, Superin- tendent O'Brien of the bureau of water, Engineer Cairns and City Clerk Ryan,
 Contractor Pidgeon appeared before the board and asked if there were any law denying the board the right to pay over to him the five per cent retained on his contract. He has good bond and he. thought that q sufficient guar antee that the work is all right with out holding back $700 for five Years, an amount which represents more than he made out of the job. He said that if , per cent of all contractors work should be retained for five years 1t would cripple him. unless he had almost unlimited capital. No action was taken.
 In reference to the petition of James C. White ct al for a building line on North Main street from the terminus of the present line to Grove street, it was voted to recommend 10 the alder men that public necessity and conven- fence require that the work be ordered done. The petition of George Hartley for change of grade of sidewalk ill front of his premises at the corntr of Vine and Cherry streets was referred to Superintendent Kelley for investi gation and report. The sidewalk op- posite the residence of Sarah J. Hayes on North Main street was reported i'll shameful condition. and a vote was passed referring the matter to MT ltei- fnp inv ti.,.lf ion, 1,n ,l,,r.- standing that he ascertain the name of the plumber who tore up the walk, order him to rep;fr it as quickly as possible and if he refuses so to do he will get no more permits to open the streets and will have his license re voked. This is one of tile walks that was torn up on account of the paving of North Main street and was relaid in better shape than ever before at the expense of the city, and the board thought it too soon to be receiving complaints on account of the condition of the walk at that place and decided to take stringent measures in the, prem iSeS.
 The petition of the Helmann Brew ing Co for permission to make q con duit in Bank street. opposite their plant. was referred to q committee con sisting of Superintendent Kelley and Engineer Cairns. with instructions to report back to the board.
 A communication was received from the |. NJ. C. A.. asking for the return of about S1G water rent, which they considered an overcharge. Upon eX animation the bill was found to be correct, and it was voted to so report to the association.
 It was voted to recommend to the aldermen that the sum of 5000 be paid to the Mad River Water Go and constituent companies in settlement of all claims against the city for water taken from the Mad river by the old water board.
 \ communica ton was received from the Scoyill Manufacturing Go asking for payment of S2,922.63. their claim upon the city for their portion due the Mad River Water Co. The communi- cation was received and ordered placed on file. It will be remembered that the Scovil1 Co has refused to pay their water bill of about S1.100. preferring to have it go towards offsetting a part of their claim against the city. The board voted to request the company to pay it's taxes in the usual way. be- lieving it is the proper way to do busi- ness. and when this matter is adjusted let the city settle with the Mad River Water Co. This whole thing looks as if it will end in big law suit. and if it reaches the courts it would be hard to tell where it will end.
 All the other matters referred to the board by the aldermen were placed on the list for investigation. Another communication was received from L.. H. Toucey regarding the condition of the brook in the rear of his property on East Main street. It was voted to cite Mir Toucey to appear before the . board at its next meeting to be heard in the premises.
 The city engineer was instructed to make a contour map at five feet inter- z yals of Hamilton park and to make title searches and prepare maps for levying assessment for sewers laid during the present year. The engineer was also instructed and authorized to purchase smoke tester. at price not to exceed S2o, for use in the office of the plumbing inspector. It was voted to recommend to the aldermen that the matter of assessing property on streets where paving has been put down the present year be referred to the bureau of assessment. NJ. J. Dalys bill pumping station. was sent back for an itemized statement.
 The payrol1s of the several depart ments were read and approved as fol lows: Streets. S1.S69.20: sewers S161.6S; water, S1,351. .5S; engineering $52S.
 The board adjourned subject to the call of the chair