The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-05-09
SHALL THE SEWER SYSTEM BE
EXTENDED
Is the Question Demanding the Thought
full Consideration of Every Resident
of Somerset

Is the Question Demanding the Thought
full Consideration of Every Resident
Of Somerset.
Work on the system of public sewers
authorized by a vote of the electors OF
this borough, at an election held eighteen
months ago, when the town council was
authorized to issue bonds to the amount
of $40, 900 for that purpose, was begun ten
days ago under the superintendency OF
Mr.. James $. Haring, Borough Engineer.
The contractors-Ott Bros, Pittsburgh
have sublet their contract to Mr.. Simon
Harold, of Beaver Falls. Pa, one of the
best known contractors in Western Penn
sylvania. Ground was broken on the
South end of East Street, where a gang
OF twenty-five laborers has been engaged
at trenching for ten days past. The work
has been retarded owing to the fact that the
council at the last regular meeting by a
unanimous vote decided to include cellar
drainage in the system, which necessitat
ed securing several miles of additional
shale pipe. Pipe for cellar drainage
should be received this week when the
contractor will push ahead as rapidly as
possible in order to comply with the
terms of his contract, which requires
him 10 complete the job at the expiration
of 100 days after April Is, 1900.
Now that cellar drainage has been pro-
vided for, every objection that has been
urged against the sewer system adopted
by council has been removed, and the
members Of council feel satisfied that
when the work is completed Somerset
will have one Of the best sanitary sys-
TENS for the disposal of sewage aud
cellar water that expert skill is eaps-
BILE of devising.
1t is a matter of sincere egret that the
electors did not vote larger appropria-
tion for the purpose of constructing sew
ers, as the fund at the disposal of coun-
ell is insufficient to meet present require
ments. When the first estimate of the
probable cost of the system was made,
the parties responsible for the estimate
did not foresee that the outlet of the pro-
posed system would be removed almost
one mile from the South borough line, or
that the cost OF constructing the outlet
would involve an expense OF fully one
third of the total appropriation asked for.
Such is the case, however, aud council is
powerless to provide sewer accommoda-
tions for any of the streets running Eas;
ald West-with the exception OF Main
street-with the funds now available.
The situation is one requiring the earn
est attention and thoughtful considera-
tion of every resident of Somerset. In
case Of the voters authorizing an addi-
tioaal expenditurei of, say 5000, coune
| will be in position to increase the work
contracted for with OFT Bros, aud to have
sewers laid on four or five. II not six OF
the streets running East and West
throughout their entire length, thus Civ
ing immediate sewer privileges to 90 per
cent Of the improved properties and to
an equal proportion Of the residents OF
the borough.
| The work can be carried forward 70
better advantage now than at any time in
the future, owing TO the contracts now
in force not only with the contractors. but
with the capable aud efficient engineer
who has charge of the work.
Residents living along the streets
traversed by the sewers now being laid
will assuredly not wish to deprive their
less fortunately located neighbors OF eu-
joying similar advantages, while those
whose properties are az present denied
the privilege of connecting mp with the
sewers should be eager to avail them
selves of that privilege, especially when
the additional tax would not exceed more
/ than ono mill