The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-18

feature of the 1901 law was in its
making the assessments made by the
council final, without appeal.
Mr.. Schmitt suggested that the board
of public works could continue to figure
out the assessments, to be approved by
the council.
Judge Severance did not see any need
for board of public works, if the pro-
visions of the law of 1901 are adopted.
He did not see how it could be brought
in. He asked why the commission could
not wait for the next legislature to meet,
and whether the city is suffering under
the present charter.
Several thought that the city is suffer
ing because Improvements cannot be
paid for in installments.
Judge Severance said that he did not
think that the council could delegate the
making of the assessments to the board
of public works, but must do the work
itself.
Chairman Cmrier suggested that the
matter be referred back to the commit
tee for further investigation as to how
far the board of public works can be
used This was the most important see
ton of the charter, and great care should
be taken.
DR.. Andrews moved that chapter 1923
of the law of 1901 be incorporated in
the new charter, and it was carried
unanimously.
Several members favored doing away
with the board of public works. Mr.. Hal
stead favored retaining the board, and
Mr.. Long said that there is general
sentiment in favor of retaining the
board of public works. If it cannot be
thought that the commission had better
wait until after the legislature meets
again before it completes the charter.
Mr.. Schmitt said that the next legis-
lature could pass laws that would
knock our charter sky high.
DIR. Andrews moved that the matter of
what duties of the board of public works
might be under the law of 1901 be re-
ferred to the subcommittee to investi-
gate, and this was carried.
Judge Severance said that the law
would take away many of the duties
of the board If it does so, he did not
see the necessity of keeping the board
to please anyone.
Mr.. Long said that if the board is
knocked out, the present charter will
probably remain in force. He thought
that the fewer radical changes that one
made in the present charter the more
likely the new charter would be to pass.
Judge Severance said that the evil
dent purpose of passing the 1901 law
was to get rid of the board of public
works.
Mr.. Schmitt did not agree with this,
but said that it was passed for the bene-
with its charter.
1t developed that the deferred pay
ments on assessments under the law of
1901 shall bear not to exceed five per
cent interest. Some thought that it
would be impossible to dispose of them
at so low rate.
The chapter relating to the fire de-
partment was discussed. Mr.. Long
moved that the provisions of the present
charter relating to this be adopted. This
was carried unanimously.
Mr.. Long moved that the committee
be instructed to draw up a provision for
municipal lighting, following the lines
of the law of 1908, which allows cities to
issue bonds in addition to the limit of
bonded indebtedness. This was car
ried unanimously.
Whether limit should be placed on the
amount of light bonds that could be is
sued was discussed, and some suggested
a $4,000 limit, but action on this was
delayed.
The provision in the present char
ter in regard to the water works system
was discussed, and no one suggested any
change.
The commission adjourned subject to
the call of the secretary.