Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-05-16
COUNCIL MEETING
From wednesday Daily.

soseiou last night. All aldermen pres
mt, Mayor pro tenn Casey in the
chair. The mayor stated that the OBJ
1ect Of the meeting was to hear what
the city attorney had to say about
the legality of the division OF sewer
district No. into three districts. This
matter was laid over from the meeting
Of . week ago. The city attorney
stated that he had not had time to
look into the question as fully as he
wished, but was OF the opinion that
It could be done. but would not say
positively that 1t could. There was
statute giving cities Of the nrst class
unlimited power In that connection,
but that clause had been omitted
from the law applying to cities OF
the second class. He wanted more
time to consult the authorities. His
request for more time was granted by
vote OF the council.
Alderman Thompson moved that the
sewer on Main street be Ave feet
He said he had consulted the property
owners and nearly all OF them were
In favor OF five-foot sewer
Alderman Mcclellan opposed the mo-
ton and thought when the sewer was
put In 1t should be permanent and
sufficient for all demands. II the
majority wanted FIVE foot sewer they
should have 1t. He would rather have
a fve-foot sewer than none.
President Jackson and Director FL
dredge of the board of trade were
present and spoke on the question.
Mr.. jackson stated that 1t was the
intention OF the board to have mem
bers present at each council meeting
and assist In any way they could
for the benefit of the town. He was
strongly In favor OF a deep sewer on
Main street and other permanent i'm.
provements and though the sewer com
pletion should be pushed as rapidly
as possible, so that the question OF
paving First street could be taken
UP. The condition OF First street after
rain or snow was disgrace to the
city and 1t should be remedied as
quickly as possible. He was disap
pointed that the city attorney could
not report fully on the question sub
mitted to him. thereby causing delay
Mr.. Eldredge advised extreme eau
tion in handling the proposition. He
favored a five-foot sewer on First
street and was opposed to any at all
on Second avenue, as the property
there was productive. He thought
that could be deferred until the peo-
pie were ready for 1t, and then they
could take care of the additional cost.
He was not in favor of looking 50
far into the future. The principal
part Of drainage was from above the
basement and a Ave foot sewer on
First street would be sufficient. He
was willing to abide by the will OF
the majority In the matter. He did
not think deep sewer would encour
age building.
City Attorney Reece gave It as his
opinion that the cost of connecting the
Second avenue sewer with the other
sewer lines could not be adjusted and
that the best way was to have the three
lines connected together at the same
time.
Secretary Armstrong was called
upon for remarks. He said he had not
much to say on the Main street sewer,
but when he learned that the little
town Of Lamar, was going to spend
$4,000 for a sewer system to be fol
lowed with street paving. he wonder
ed At the delay In putting in sewer
In Durango that would cost not to
exceed $4,000.
Alderman Thomson thought that the
whole town should be severed and
that . hve-foot sewer was the best
way out Of the present tangle.
Alderman Folsom moved that the
matter go over until next meeting
to give the city attorney time to look
up the law and give a definite opinion
Alderman Mcclellan stated that
these questions would not be deferred
much longer. The council was elected
on sewer platform. That the sewer
was going to be built and he would
not consent to dilatory tactics.
Alderman Thomson withdrew his
motion and the question was laid over
awaiting the opinion of the city at
torney.
Bids for furnishing the material for
digging and back filling the trench
and for delivering the supplies along
the line for the new feed pipe from
the reservoir to Fifth street and
Eleventh avenue were opened and
read.
The Malone Iron Works company
put In lump bid of $2.9s9.67. They
also stated that many of the pieces
would have to be cast and that they
were willing to make the patterns
and divide the cost with the city, the
Iron works and the city to own said
patterns Jointly: that these patterns
could be used In case of breakage. and
that the delay and cost of transpor.
tation getting the pieces from the out
side would take more than the cost
Of the patterns. which would cost $72,
or $s6 for the city.
The Jackson Hardware company's
bid was on weight.
George w. yMelville's bid was on
weight.
F. R Graham's bid was on weight.