The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-14
COL. COLT GETS
5O=YEAR HOLD ON
WATER WORKS

Bristol's taxpayers voted Yesterday 20
Col. Samuel Pomeroy Colt a 50-year fran
chise TO supply the town with water from
the Bristol and Warren water works.
or this franchise, "a years Is the unex-
pired time OF the old franchise held by the
water works corporation, OF which George
II. Norman was formerly president. and
the other rs years is an additional period
granted in acceptance OF proposition
submitted by Col. Colt TO the towns tax
payers In a letter under date OF March 1s
The grant was vigorously opposed by
some OF the voters not understanding the
terms.
Col Colt explained what he intended TO
do for the town In connection with his ad-
ministration OF the water works so far as
the town was concerned. lie put his case
before the taxpayers. saying that he had
bought the works, not because he wanted
10 buy them. but TO stop the legal entan-
clements which had harassed Bristol cti-
zens for some time and occasioned
needless outlay OF money.
II would not care TO make any money
out of the town. I want the citizens TO
have all the benefit.
II wish to have the works put In the
best condition. with an equality in rates
where one consumer may not pay more
than another. AS rapidly as possible the
rates should be readjusted. believe that
water can be furnished here at less
price than at present. / Will answer any
other questions that l can concerning the
matter"
Col Colt said that the matter OF rates
would meet with immediate remedying
He could see no reason, he said, why
water meters could not be used.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
The committee report submitted an
nounced that II was inadvisable for the
nF an nj IN n "a uh or
any part OF the water works plant, on ac-
count OF the fact that improvements TO
cost In the neighborhood OF sl30oo or
$ibo coo, In addition TO the sum OF s275,000
which would have TO be paid, would ne
cessitate "a total expenditure OF $4,000
and $425.o0o before the system would be
suited TO the towns needs. They had
found, said the report. that to acquire a
part or the water works system such as
would be sufficient for the needs OF the
town would present great practical dlffi-
outies in the way OF dividing the plant
and OF operating It economically. Contin-
uing, the report says:
Your committee is unanimously OF the
opinion that Il Is advisable that the Br.s-
tol and Warren water works should own
and control the water plant. provided and
control tho water plant, provided a con-
tract could be made by which the rights
and Interests OF the town would be safe
guarded.
"on April 20 this committee met with
representatives OF the Bristol and War
oen water works. and at that time a draft
of ths agreement was submitted for the
consideration OF the committee. The sit
uation was thoroughly discussed at this
meeting, and the committee obtained con-
eessipns In addition 10 those contained In
ths draft agreement then submitted.
THE NEW AGREEMENT.
rhe salient features OF the new agree
ment are that the works will contruct
nifcr ns soon M possible TO furnish filter
ed water to- ne town: Increase the pres
sure from i25 TO 100 feet above high tide;
reduction OF hydrant rentals from 5000
rates shall not be higher and that they
will be reduced an soon as the condition
and business OF the company will per-
NIT,
IL also sets forth that the town shall
receive water free for flushing sewers
and watering streets, lanes and public
squares: and that the outstanding and
unpaid obligations incurred by the town
for fees OF attorneys and counsel. mas
ters in chancery. expert witnesses and
stenosraphers In connection with the suit
against the water works, amounting to
about $1,000. will be paid by the COM
psny; and that the company will receive
an exclusive franchise for the use OF the
streets for It's pipes In connection with
years. an extension Of % years Of the or
iginal franchise.
The resolution recommended by the
committee and passed by the taxpayers
after several hours debate was In part
as follows
THE RESOLUTION.
Voted, That the town OF Bristol con-
tract with the Briston and Warren Water
Works, a Rhode Island corpora ton, for
supply OF water, for the town and the In
habitants thereof, in accordance with the
provisions Of the draft for an agreement
between the town and the corporation,
this day presented in town meeting by
the committee OF the town heretofore APP
pointed TO confer with representatives OF
the town of Warren and Of the Bristol
and Warren Water Works, with refer
ence TO the subject matter OF the letter
from Samuel p Colt, dated March 13,
1907"
In addition to granting the franchise
the taxpayers also voted to give Col.
Colt fee In the Asylum road. on the
plan OF his repairing the same and fenc-
Ing II from Main road to West shore.
At the opening of the meeting a reso-
luton TO sot aside a sum OF 800 for the
extension OF the sewer on Washington
street was carried without opposition.
The report OF the water works commit