Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-12-08

as iollows: on the basis OF q thirty year
bond issue, there would be in the sinking
fund, when the bonds matured allowing
three per cent annual compound interest.
$2S7S7.SO; or II the interest rate was az
per cent, 1858, 1870, with which to nav
the bonds. '
Should the town grow rapidly, new
mains might require the use OF some of
the money and your sinking fund might
not Increase as rapidly. but as every main
would In all probability bring in n large
interest on its cost we do not see vhv
this should be any detrimental consldera-
ton.
The item of difference in the rate OF
interest alone of 3h per cent and what
private corporation would have to pay
would be large sum of itself in a thirty
year period
Now, in case 1t is thought advisable to
build a new system, in competition with
the present system, against the cost of
$ll,25O per year, then we may credit the
amount paid at interest for hydrant SER
vice, $4,000 the amount paid by sub
scription for watering the streets nv
estimation. about $1,000; the amount paid
for water for school buildings. 5000: for
town buildings watering troughs and
fountains, estimated at $780, I'm all
amounting to 1880. Then, too, in order
TO have proper fire protection, we believe
that the number Of hydrants should be at
present.
which, at present prices would mean an
extra charge OF $4,000. Crediting this
amount 1880 against interest and main
tenance leaves the citizens of the village
to raise about $4,000 per year for main
tenance OF the system. II is unrea soma bile
TO suppose that the extra hydrants would
be charged for at the present rates. and
we would estimate that $1,000 would be
ample allowance for these extra hydrants
This would make a difference OF $4,000 I'm
the figures above mentioned, leaving an
apparent shortage OF $4,000 in place OF the
$4,000 This computation, of course Is
upon the basis that we do not receive any
return whatever from rentals for domes-
tic purposes. 1t is idle to argue that the
village would not get its fair share Of
rentals for domestic purposes with an up
to-date water system. A municipal sys-
TEN would be self-sustaining with a
reasonable patronage OF our citizens, even
with competition.
comparison of the water rates and
income OF localities served by municipal
ownership to the population of the place
with the rates paid and income of the
Chestnut Hin Reservoir company clearly
shows that the people OF Brattleboro are
charged more for water than the average
town when II is owned by the munich
pallty.
Nature has endowed this locality with
an abundance Of water. which is pure
or can be made so. 1t remains with the
village people to say whether or not
they will do as other villages have gem
orally done; establish n water system
owned by the municipality, which will
supply an abundance OF pure water. There
is also this to take into consideration:
viii the management Of the Chestnut Hill
Reservoir company prove satisfactory to
our village? II It is fair to Judge the
future by the past, that would be an
open question.
We recommend that steps be taken at
the next session Of the legislature 10
secure appropriate legislation strengthen
ing the present statutory provisions re-
lating to ownership OF the water system
by the village OF Brattleboro. In view OF
the present condition and needs of our
community. IL is to be regretted that I'VE
are now surrounded by such statutory
limitations as to leave some ques-
ton as to the ACCESSIBILITY of i'm
mediate action looking to the owner
ship and control OF the water system
by our village. In 1892. an act was passed
amending the charter OF the village of
Bratueboro, providing that the village
IN It's corporate capacity could own and
operate its own water system. This act
gave the village the right to acquire any
pond, spring, stream, water source, renl
estate. water rights, howage rights and
easements necessary within the limits of
the towns of Brattleboro. Marlboro and
Dummerston. 1t did not give the village
the right OF eminent domain in the town
OF Guilford, but this does not necessarily
preclude the village from acquiring by
purchase any rights which may be neces-
sary in that town.
The village corporation, by this act.
however, is prohibited from issuing and
negotiating bonds for its water system
exceeding $125,000 i'm amount II NAV
hold DrODertV in vyifl, lee mo =,
system to the value OF 5000. 000 The force
and effect Of the act of 1892 is to permit
the village to Immediately move II 1t so
desires, to acquire its own system, II IL
can do so under the limitations prescribed.
The village can Immediately proceed
TO expend for a new system or for the
purchase of the Crowell system, SI25 900
through bond issue. In addition II NAV
expend $4,000 through an issue of a
temporary loan, which could be taken
care OF after the next session OF the legis-
lature.
We understand that the Sunset Lake
Water company has a contract with the
Chestnut Hin Reservoir company Cor
Crowell system), to furnish water to that
system for term of years. II this is
true, then in buying the CroweT system,
the village will have to buy the Sunset
Lake Water company, or carry out the
contract with said company.
Your committee in recommending NUM-
eipal ownership realize that the village
Is confronted with two proposItions-the
purchase OF the property OF the Chestnut
Hill Reservoir company or the construc-
ton OF new system.
That the village may be fair and at the
same time protect its own interests, we
recommend that the village purchase the
present system, known as the Crowen
system, without any alliance with the
Sunset Lake Water company, at the price
placed upon it by the engineer, plus such
sum as the village may deem advisable.
In view OF doing away with all competi-
tion The sum paid in the aggregate GER
tainly ought not to exceed the bonded
debt.
We do not believe that the village is
under any equitable or moral obligation
to take the water rights, contracts or
construction thus far made by the Sunset
Lake Water company, and would not
adyise II until a thorough Investigation
has fully settled that the water from that
source is of sufficient quantity and of the
best quality and that that supply Is
deemed advisable. Then, II II appears
that the system will meet the require
ments OF quality and quantity, we advise
an offer by the village OF the actual cost
OF these rights contracts and construc-
ton up to the present time, subject to any
advancement or depreciation of material
used therein after the date OF this report,
and taking into consideration claims for
damage to water rights II either or