The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-02-21
SEWERS IN SIGHT AT LAST.

oUA uOb "a oOWO "a SJ QUILL w q oPOOldl
meeting of the Board of Aldermen
on Friday evening and it was unani-
mously approved by that body.
This bill provides that upon applica-
ton by fifty residents and freehold
ers the Board of Aldermen shall apply
to the Circuit Judge to appoint four
commissioners, only two of whom
shall be of the same political party
These commissioners are empowered
to employ engineers and cause maps
and surveys to be made, and report to
the Board of Aldermen the sewer
system it is most desirable to estab-
lish in the town, the streets to be
severed, and if trunk line system is
adopted the location.of such line, and
the total estimated cost of the COM
pleted system. If the plan is adopted
by the Board of Aldermen the ques-
ton is then submitted to the people
at a special election. If the act is ac-
cepted at said election the commits
sioners proceed to put the plan into
execution by contract given to the
lowest bidder, after due advertisement
If the Board of Aldermen refuse to
accept the plan or if the election is
against accepting the terms of the
act, the Commissioners duties cease
and no sewers are built. The total
cost can not exceed five per cent. of
the assessed value of the property of
the town, for the year preceding
the special election.
The money required to do the work
is to be raised by issuing bonds to
run for not less than ten or more than
fifty years, the interest not to be over
four per cent. Upon the completion
of the system the commission goes
out of existence, and the town takes
charge and operates the system, and
fixes rate to be paid by persons us
ing the same in proportion to the
benefits derived. The difference be-
tween the amount so received and the
cost of operating the system is carried
to sinking fund to pay the bonds.
There is also to be raised each year
not less than one or more than two
per cent. of the amount of such bonds
outstanding to form part of such
sinking fund.
The act provides that after the sys-
tenn is completed two thirds of the
property owners of any street not
severed may apply for sewers in such
street and the Board of Aldermen
shall build the same at the public
expense, but not more than five thou
sand dollars shall be expended on such
sewers in any one year There is q
provision i'll the act that the Board of
Aldermen may allow other municipali-
ties or institutions to use the system
upon paying a just compensation
to the town.
The Sewer Committee are to be
congratulated upon the result of their
labors and the Board of Aldermen
upon their unanimous action in ap-
proving the same, as the bill appears
to meet all the requirements in pro-
viding that the people shall know
fully about the plan before they are
called upon to decide whether sew
er system should be adopted. Every
voter will know the system to be adop-
ted and the estimated cost before the
election is held, and will have an OPP
portunity to intelligently express his
views at the special election.
The bill was introduced by Assem-
blyman Whitehead on Tuesday and is
almost certain Ito become law, as
it is good bill, and our Senator and
Assemblyman have enough influence
in the Legislature to secure its pas
sage.