Smyrna times., 1902-07-02
COUNCIL UNANIMOUS FOR
IMPROVING LIGHT PLANT
BUT ARE STILL IN A QUANDARY ABOUT
THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO START 1T.
Will Meet in Special Session This Evening to
Hear Plan 10 Detail Suggested by Mr..
Harry A. Miller, Of Wilmington.

hear Plan 10 Uetaii suggested by Mr.
Harry A. Miller, of Wilmington.
At the regular semi-monthly meeting
of the Smyrna Town Council last Fri
day evening there was much discus
sion over the report of the consulting
engineers, T. Chalkley Hatton and
William G. Spruance. All the mem
bers were present with the exception
of Dr.. Moore, and each seemed to feel
the responsibility that rested upon
them individually in doing the best
thing in putting the Electric Light
and Water Plant in proper condition.
They realize that something must be
done and that must be in the very
near future. The detailed and ex-
hsustive report of the consulting en-
gineers was entirely satisfactory and
the Council fully believe that if their
advice is carried out, Smyrna will
have an up-to-date plant and fully
equipped to meet every emergency.
Engineers Services Amounted to S45O.OO.
The bill for services rendered by
Messrs. Hatton and Spruance amount
ed to $3.50, which was passed by the
Council without a murmur. The lat
ter feel that they have been given val
liable services, and while the bill may
seem high, it was money we'll invested.
Had the town employed consulting
engineers three years ago, they think
we would have saved five or six thous-
and dollars.
The advisability of making the
change being unanimous, the question
now with the Council is where will
they get the five or six thousand dollars
to defray the expenses of the improve
ment. If S1700 can be saved in
coal year, our citizens seem heartily
in favor of the change, and the sooner
it Is done the better. 1t is possible
that a hot water heater will be put in
at once, but many would rather see
the improvements made entire than
by piece meal. The Council has not
the right to borrow money without an
act of the Legislature, and as this
body will not be in session until next
January, the only way open is to bor-
row money as individuals and make
themselves individually responsible
until given the right by the Legisla-
ture.
Mr.. Miller Will Meet With the Council.
Just what course the Council will
pursue is to be determined later. Mr..
Fl. A. Miller, of Wilmington, who
placed in the steam heating plant at
Asbury NJ L. Church, this town, and
who just recently has completed put
ting ID the electric light plant at
Lewes, Delaware, was in town last
week, and to members individually he
suggested plan by which he, in the
event Of the Council employing him,
would be willing to assume the obi.
cations of putting our plant in order
as recommended by the consulting en-
gineers, the council to pay him what is
saved in the cost of coal. To be more
fully ac- quainted with his plan, Coun
Gil will meet Mr.. Miller at a specia
meeting tonight to hear his report il
detail.
The following bills were read ant
allowed; Sylvanus Rose, $500; P. W
& B. Railroad, S12.64; Charles Warner
Co., $126.57; John @. Mannering
$12.4O; total, S252.6O. On motion, an
order was drawn in favor of S. G
Wilds, cashier, for $7s5 to pay interes
due on bonds to the first of July.