The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1907-03-29

system have increased at the rate OF
si10O to $500 each year for the last nve
wears and Mr.. Crowell says that they
have already passed the $4,000 mark and
there are several hundred dollars more
of rentals in sight Among these, the
American building, S. A., Smith q 20; s
fire system, several new houses, IN auai
ton to the rentals on Western avenue
and in West Brattleboro. These sources
will easily increase the rentals me hrst
year to $4,000 and with the growth that
must come to Brattleboro from the new
dam the rentals ought easily to reach S3o5,,,
600 in the next five years and we would
then have a profit Of about Sl4,OO0 per
wear. so that the hydrants for which we
now nav more than $1,000 per year, would
not cost us anything and we could also
begin gradually to reduce the water rate;
for. with the Connecticut river dam a
certainty the village must increase IN
population and the value of the water sys
tenn will increase accordingly. Wth the
increased hydrant pressure and the large
increase of the number OF MIGRANTS, II VIII
not be necessary to maintain as many
steamers as we have at present which
would be another benefit we should de-
rive from owning our own system. we
cannot afford to let this chance OF munlcil
nal ownership go by. On the other hand
If we do not purchase the water system
we will have to pay on all the growth
nrice that will net Mr.. Crowell an income
Of a 5 per cent. bond and pay extra Tor
every new hydrant we put in. :,
No citizen of Brattleboro will ever be
taxed one cent if we buy this system
now and it will at once be source OF
income and profit If the time ever comes
when we need more. water, we VIII nave
= c -,,p,1lv hasiHpg the n1lmD-
ing station and MIR. Growers reservoir
here in the village.
How many towns are there in Vermont,
the size of Brattleboro, that do not own
and control their own water system!
Some people claim the voters Will DC
taxed if we have municipal ownership
With guaranteed rental of $4,000 at the
present time and several hundred dollars
more in sight as soon as the connexions
are made, stock company can be form
ed within three days who will give bonds
to take the system of the village and run
it for Is years, or longer If the voters
wish. and turn it over to the village after
Is wears in better shape than it Is today
and the village can put in as many new
hydrants as they choose and not one dol
lar will be charged for the use OF same
The taxpayers will be protected by bonds
against any tax in any way, shape or form
for maintenance of the system or payment
of interest on the bonds and the rentals
that are saved on the hydrants can be
kept for sinking fund to take up the
bonds when they become due In other
words, if the village buys the system 1t
has no chance to lose money put every
chance to make out of the transaction.
a large portion of the building in the
future will have to extend in the direc-
tion of Prospect hill Oak Grove avenue;
Esteyville and other outlying districts and
the property owners are Justly emitted 70
sufficient water pressure and plenty. OF
hydrants for fire protection. 1t is abso.
lutely necessary for the future growth OF
Brattleboro that this should be attended
to. Every voter should see the Importance
of settling this question for all time and
should take pains to investigate the mat
ter before going to the polls. Brattleboro
Is pledged to municipal ownership the
same as other villages of her size and there
will always be a controversy over tins
subject until we own our own water sys-
tenn. The longer the fight is kept up the
worse it will be for Brattleboro.
Cannot this question be brought up al
a special meeting before the regular meet
ing or, if deemed advisable, at the regu
lar meeting, and vote on the following
articles? -,
Article Ito see II Ine VllldSe VIII duopt
the amendment to the village charter pass
ed by the legislature of 1906.
Art. 2-To see if the village will buy
Mr.. Crowell's entire water system and wa
ter rights free of all encumbrance for
the sum of s260,000.
Art. 3-To see if the village will lay a
pipe line to Halliday brook and build a
reservoir thereon or use the pipe line
- h,,;lJ a rasarvoir in Pleasant valley
Art. ITO choose water board with