Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-07-11
WATER METERS GET A BLACK EYE
Big Crowd of Citizens At City Hall Went On Record Last Evening As Being Opposed to
 tbe Scheme of Putting In Meters.

privilege of drawing water from and
 whether 1t shall pass through a
 meter or not. He contended that the
 burden of, this high water rate, If adopted, would fall upon the tenants
 and working people, and reminded
 the board that rents are about as steep now as the ordinary mortal can afford to have them. MT Colley was positive that the people don't want
 water metered for domestic purposes and told the commissioners if they wanted further enlightenment on the question to submit 1t to the peo- pie to be voted on next fall.
 Attorney Lynch wanted to know the rates, but Chairman Walker said he didn't have them with him. This brought out a big laugh. They're selling water, but they don't know what it costs" chimed in John Nor ton, who was primed for the occasion. Finally MT Kennedy enlightened the meeting on the rate. When John Norton heard that if a person used a sufficient quantity of it per day the price would dwindle down to half cent per 100 gallons, he declared that If such a one kept right on and got away with more he would get his whole water supply for nothing. MT Lynch reviewed the history of the water system, remarking that 1t was primarily intended for fire protection and dometsic use and that the domes- tic consumer should have first call upon both in the matter of supply as we'll as price. For sanitary reasons he should regret to see the price of water put at figure where a suffi- cient quantity of 1t would amount to beyond the means of the poor of the community. He wanted to know how it is that the large con sumner gets 1t at such an outrageous ly low price compared with that paid by the small consumer. Every rate payer contributed proportionate share in the form of taxes for the and maintenance of the system and according to law the price to all should be equitable. MT Lynch cited a sample where man had abandoned keeping green sward in front of his property be- cause of the cost of water and then inquired If the city thought it wise to go to great expense fitting up parks, why make so light of the park which every good citizen likes to during the summer season about his own home. He would me- ter the water for mercantile pur- poses, but that was all.
 James Cooke wanted the meters taken out of all tenement blocks. He said they give bad tenants whip which they can use at will to run up expenses on the landlord.
 E. A. Mooring was in favor of me- ters provided we had a revision of the rates which contained more ele- ment sof fairness than the schedule now in use.
 Dennis Harrington assured the board that water is pouring over the spillway almost all the time. At this juncture somebody moved that the board be instructed to dispense with meters, but the chair refused to en- certain the proposition because the people were called to be heard, not to direct. At the request of Attorney Lynch 1t was decided to divide the house on the meter queston so that there might be no doubt as to how hose present stood on the question. When 1t came to count heads.the 500 pr 600 people in attendance were all ,n the no meter side with the excep- ton of Mir Kilduff. who was not vot-
 Ing one way or the other.
 The meeting then adjourned and men gathered in groups and kicked and swore, shook their fists in the air and resolved to do something un- less the officials stopped fooling with the water.
 Board of Public Works.
 After the open meeting the board ,f public works got together in the office and passed upon sew sral matters. One might think that hey would have felt somewhat crest 'allen after the severe drubbing the to meter the city had re- :eived. but this was not SO. On the all. even Mir Walker, felt pleased with what had taken place md considered it an orderly, intelli- gent gathering.
 The contract for building the sew ,ge disposal beds in South Brooklyn was awarded to Auguste Saucier of South Birmingham. Mass, for $52,- )50, he being the lowest bidder. The vote was subject to the approval of he engineer and comptroller. The engineer was instructed to see that he gap" in Howard street is graded md that an addition of 300 feet be lacked on 10 the water main exten- lion fin South Leonard street Fa- rorabe action was taken on the pro- position to construct storm sewers in and Southview streets, also ,n the petition for the layout of Eas- .on avenue from North street to Brewster street. The street commit ee was requested to look into the petition for the layout of certain highways in Mill Plain. Hearings we're fixed for laying sidewalks on Bronson, Adams. Grove, Kellogg and Bishop streets for July 24. On the 'ame date bids will be received for South Main street be- tween Turner bridge and Smith & irigEs shop. The engineer was re- luested to report on expense for rip tapping along the west side of lower South Main street, where it is pro posed to widen the highway Com missioner Dennison reported that the boiler inspector had informed him hat s200 Is a fair price for the boil ITS and fixtures at the pumping sta ion. The clerk was instructed 10 re- ,uest M. ]. Daily G Sons 10 submit heir proposition for the boilers in writing. It vas decided 10 put the which will be taken of