Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-03-21
THE QUESTION OF SEWERAGE

give the figures as supporting the
statement that the city is possessed
Of full power in the premises. The
to be appropriated rests in the
sound discretion of the inhabitants of
the city and the city council. ...
The initial step looking to the con.
struction of work of local improve
ment is q resolution to be passed by
the city council declaring such work
or improvement necessary to be done,
and the publication thereof at least
once y week for four consecutive
weeks in the official newspaper. Within
twenty days after such publication q.
Of the owners of the, property
liable to be assessed therefor may
protest in writing fled with the city
in case there is no protest the
council shall have power to cause such
to be done and to con-
tract therefor and to levy and collect
the assessment. All work done shall
be let to the lowest responsible bidder.
The only part of the system of
sewers considered in this report con-
templated to be borne by the city at
large, is just proportion of the trunk
sewer along Main street, and the con-
tinuation thereof from the westerly
boundary of the city to the point of
final disposition of the sewage. The
estimate Of such expense is shown
elsewhere in this report. In view of
the condition of the fiscal affairs of
the city, 1t is clear that such expense
could only be met by an issue Of
bonds. This the city council can
easily provide for, but only when
authorized 50 to do by a majority vote
OF the people of the city, at an election
held after twenty days notice duly
published, stating the purpose for
which such bonds are to be issued and
the amount thereof To meet the in
terest on such bonds, it is required
that all annual levy Of taxes shall be
made upon all the assessable property
of the city, and such levy shall in
clude each year, a levy for sinking
fund sufficient to meet the principal
Of the bonds at maturity. The ex-
pense of constructing the sewer con-
templated in this report, other than
the, part of the trunk sewer to be
borne by the city generally as already
shown, would be met by special as
sessments against the lots and parcels
of lands benefited and according to
benefits.
10, establish a general system of
sewerage for the city, an affirmative
vote of at least two thirds of the mem
bers Of the city council is required,
but after the establishment of such
system, a majority vote of the city
council may extend the same into
any street or part of street upon petit
ton of a majority of the residents on
such street or part Of street, own
ing land abutting on such contem-
plated extension.
In carrying out the provisions of the
statutes authorizing the city council
to establish general system Of sewer
age, it is provided that the city shall
have power to create sewer improve
ment districts, within the limits OF
such city ; that they shall be consecu-
lively numbered and of such size and
form as the city council, after con-
sultation with the city engineer, shall
decide most practicable to effect the
drainage Of that part of the city en-
braced within the districts established
respectively. Upon the letting Of the
contracts for the construction Of any
sewer, (such contracts are to be let
upon competitive bidsl, the city coun-
ell shall create "a special sewerage
committee Of three persons from the
citizens Of such city, and it is made
the duty Of such committee to assess
against the lots or parcels Of land Id
the sewer Improvement districts, after
personal dnspe lection. . sum not exceed
Ing the benefits to such lot Or parcel
After 50 doing said committee shall
make 9 list Of the same and cause
such list TO be published and specify
Ing time and place when persons In
terested will be heard. II any objects
thereto. Such list shall then be de-
posted with the city auditor and
thereuDon . hearing may BE had
thereon before the city counciI il de-
sired.
Such special assessment NAY V