The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-03-26
A SEWER
DISCUSSION
The Plans, Scope and Expense
Of the Proposed System
Taken Up IN Detail.
DISPOSAL PLANT OBJECTED TO


public meeting called to consider the
sewerage matter in the hall Of the Y.
NJ. G. A. on Wednesday evening. The
Mayor and board Of aldermen and the
sewer commissioners and Engineer
Clyde Potts occupied seats on the
platform. Aldermen Owen ana Thomp-
son were absent, as was also Town
Clerk N. G. Toms. Alderman Day
acted as clerk.
Mayor Bennell introduced as the
first speaker Admiral Cooper, the
chairman of the sewerage commission,
who spoke of his appointment to the
commission and the work of that
body. He said the town had been
endowed by nature with many advan-
tages, but neglected by man. He re-
gretted that the finances did not per-
nit the protrayal of every cesspool in
red on the large sewerage map pre-
pared and also the outlet of every
drain carrying raw sewage into the
streams. We have taken the skelton
out of the closet and should bury it so
that it will never again be seen.
Clyde Potts, OF the firm of Williams,
Proctor & Potts, who designed the
suggested system, then spoke describ-
ing again the system telling that it
would have capacity of one million
gallons per day, but that capacity is
far away as yet. Probably not over
twenty-five per cent. of this capacity
will be required during the first year
of operation. The plant also is de-
signed so that it can easily be extend
ed, as a section is added to bookcase.
The residium of sludge is esti-
mated at about a cubic yard per
million gallons treated. Mr.. Potts
told of the action of bacteria in puri-
flying the sewage and explained that
the system as designed is no expert
ment.
Alderman Mowery was the third
speaker, speaking for the board of al
dermen. He congratulated the sew
erage commission on the work done by
them and added that Morristown has
drawn to the limit on nature. Any
scheme will be a burden to greater
or less extent, but the Importance Of a
sewerage system is paramount. The
aldermen are the servants Of the peo-
pie and Alderman Mowery asked them
to indicate what was desired so that
the board could act for them and call
the election which is necessary under
the law The increase in the value of
land after the sewers are put in will
more than make up for the cost of the
work.
| An opportunity was then given to
ask questions, most of which were
answered by Alderman Mowery, ex-
cept few handed on to Mr.. Potts.
G. w. Ennis asked as TO the cost and
was told that it was estimated at
$4,000. G. w. Throckmorton asked
what the annual cost of maintenance
would be. He was told that for the
first year the estimated fixed charge
was $40, ,2S0, including the interest on
S207, 900 put in the plant. This in
cludes a sinking fund of $1,000, al
though it had been computed that s4,
900 at compound interest would pay
Off the bond in fifty years. For the
second year the fixed charge would be
Sl9, ,76C estimating on $4,000 of new
construction during the year. For
the third and succeeding years the
charge would be 81, $50 or three tenth
OF ond per cent. on valuation Of co.
600, 900,
j. r. Brinley asked as to the items
The answer was that first came inter-
est at four per cent Then the whole
time OF superintendent at $1,000 per
annum and an assistant with a horse
and cartat $1,000 Water was esti-
mated at $500, although the engineer
claimed that half that amount would
meet the bill and another $500 for
power.
! E. g. heasOeY asked the probable
cost of cleaning cesspools. Alderman
MoweW stated that it probably aggre-
gated more than the sewer fixed
charges.
/ j. w. Arrowsmith asked about the
cost Of removing sludge and the cleo
trio power Mr.. Potts stated that the
sludge would not amount to a yard
| per million gallons Of sewage and the
electric power for the electors would
cost about $3.50.
James Clark asked if any plants like
the one proposed are in use. Mr.. Potts
said that there is one at johnson City,
Tenn, planned for a population Of 81
500. 1t is working successfully. Ad-
miral Cooper said the plant comes
within the puryiew Of tie govern
ment and the reports are very salts
factory Plants are also in use at
Saratoga, Brockton and Newton. The
Morristown plant is an improvement
on Saratoga.
J. w. ArrowSmith called attention
to the remark of State Commissioners
Hunt before the board of trade two
years ago, when he said no disposal
system in the United States is COM
nlete snccess. some PARTIALLY succeSs-