The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1906-07-24
Commissioners Call On Council
and Urge Extension Up
Minnesota Avenue.
COUNTY WILLING TO PAY
FOR PART OF EXTRA COST
Cleaning of CesspoOl Now Costs
Beltrami About $500
Each Year.

It is probable that the sewer
will be extended up Minnesota
avenue as far as Seventh street,
the north boundary of the court
house. The matter came before
the city council at the regular
meeting last night, and although
nothing definite was done in the
matter, it was the unanimous
sentiment that the extension be
voted if arrangements can be
made with the county to stand a
part of the expense.
The board of county commits
sioners was present in body
last night and expressed itself in
favor of the city building the
Minnesota avenue sewer so as to
give the courthouse connections,
and of paying the city bonus
for so doing, the idea being that
the county could we'll afford as a
matter of economy to give the
bonus, as it now costs it yearly
in the neighborhood of $500 to
clean out the courthouse cess
pool.
The only dissenting voice
raised to the proposition was
that of I. B. Olson.
The plans for the sewer as
adopted by the council call for
the piping of Minnesota avenue
only as far as the city hall. 1t
was urged, however, that if the
county would take a portion of
the money it costs to clean its
cesspool and help build the ex.
tension, and also pay it's regular
assessment for the sewer along
Minnesota between Sixth and
Seventh streets, the city could
we'll afford to change the original
plans. The matter will be con-
sidered further at a later meet
ing.
The larger portion of the even
ing was taken up with a discus:
sion of the sewer. City Engineer
M. D. Stoner explained at length
set of plans and specifications
for the sewer system which he
had prepared at the request of
the council. They differ in many
particulars from those prepared
by The Duluth Engineering CON-
pany, and will undoubtedly be
furnished contractors who wish
to bid, and so will be the plans
on which the system will be con-
structed.
One of the principal points of
difference relates to the septic
tank. The Duluth engineer
placed the tank near the Lake.
shore hotel, although no plans of
any kind we're furnished for it,
and at such an elevation that it
would be below the lake level
most of the time, and so would
require constant pumping from
the tank into the river, a task
which would cost the city not less
than $500 year.
In the Stoner plans the tank
is placed at the end Of Bemidji
avenue far enough away from all
buildings so as not to be often
sive, and it is provided that it
shall be above the level of the
lake, excepting during the high
est stages Of wafer, during which
times. a few weeks, perhaps,
every year, the sewage can be
cut off from the tank and run
directly into the river. No pump
ing at all is necessary.
Another difference is in the
elevation Of the piping in the
lower end of 'wn. The Duluth
plans were such that the sewer
would be filled with back water
at all times of the year up as far
as the Markham hotel, but the
Stoner plans have eliminated this
objectionable feature entirely.
Mr.. Stoner has also provided
fer an automatic flush tank,
which will clean out the sewer
daily without outside attention.
The Duluth plans contempl plated
a flush tank which was not auto.
matte but required the attention
of a man. There are several
I