Smyrna times., 1903-05-27

VOOHVIL IUUuLnUIU nhLU
AND ELECTRIC LIGHT RATE
OBLIGED TO LEVY MORE TAXES IN ORDER
TO SAVE THE CREDIT OF THE TOWN.
Property Tax Rate Increased From 80 Cents Ou
the Hundred to IS Cents and New Light
Schedule Adopted With an Increase.
At the regular meeting of the Smyr-
ma Town Council Friday evening the
tax rate on the recent property
assessment was fixed at 35c. on the
500, and one dollar poll. The light
rates after considerable discussion.
were raised to increase the revenue
about twenty-five or thirty per cent.
the new schedule being 4Oc. per month
for all 16 caudle power, 25c. for all 10
candle power, 15c. for all candle
power lamps. All night lamps: 16
c. p. $1.OO; 10 C. p. 75c. and c. D. soc
additional to the regular rates Those
! wishing meters must purchase them
at the consumers expense, and the
town will make connections and
charge at the rate of Sc. per thousand
watts, the minimum meter rate being
liked at $3.50 per month. These
rates were made after long and con-
tlnued debates occupying the atten-
tlon of the Town Council for many
meetings. In fact, the subject has
been before that body ever since it re
organized and while the new schedule
of rates may not be satisfactory to all
| concerned, the Council in it's endeavor
to save the credit of the town, has met
the situation the very best they could.
The new schedule goes into effect the
first day of June.
Light and Water Committee Recommendations
There was full board present Fri
day evening when Chairman Grieves
of the Light and Water Committee
read the report and recommendation
concerning the new schedule of rates.
So carefully had the committee con-
sldered every point, it met with the
approval of the other members pres
ent and even those who had all along
advocated the meter system were sat
lsted that the new schedule would
work to the best advantage. When
Councilman Reynolds moved its adop-
tlon, every member voted in the afir
native. This was Immediately fol-
lowed by a motion of Councilman
Stockly to raise the tax rate from 3Oc.
on the 500 to 35c. which was likewise
carried unanimously.
Councilman Stockly who has given
much of his time to figuring out the
expenses and receipts of the Light
and Water Departments, gave the
Council an exhaustive statement of
its financial condition. Taking last
years statement as a basis, he ap-
proximated the necessary expenses for
the coming year to be $40, 1876, which
including the floating debt of 81 ,156.
incurred by the old board, and the !
bond of $1,000 which must be paid off.
made the total $12, 291. The resources
of the town, figured on last years
basis, he calculated would be about
SIS, ,263. Adding to this the increased
income from the new electric light
schedule at 5000; and the tax rate 35c.
on the hundred, 50, 500; he made the
total resources $12, ,363. The expenses
of 1909 including outstanding debt for
coal and reduction in the stock of
coal on hand at the beginning of that
year, amounted as per last printed
statement to $12, ,898, owing to unusual
on plant not needed this
year, and the coal strike If bond had
been paid it would have been S13. $40
Condition Of Affairs at Electric Light Plant
The Electric Light Flant expenses.
including salaries, coal, interest, oil,
Nc, he figured at So, 541 for the COM
ing year. The receipts he estimated
as follows: Lighting streets and Opera
House, 81, ,S76; rents from lamps on old
basis, So, 060; and estimated increase
lnder new rate schedule, S6O5; total.
S5,541. The total number of lamps
n use as shown by the books calculat-
I'd at 16 C. p. equalled to not more
han 800 16 C. p. lamps. 1t is obvious.
le said, that 40c. per 16 C. p. per
month must be charged to cover the
xpense, which at So, Sal is estimated J
t the very lowest sum possible with
oal at present rates. Deducting
1876 for town service leaves s., ,665 {
ctual receipts. 1t will therefore be {