Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1908-02-28
CITY CAN PURCHASE THE WATER PLANT FOR S5,0OO
The Franchise will be Granted at the Next
Meeting and Proposition to Buy will
Probably be Submitted to the Voters
at Regular Spring Election.
CITY CAN PURCHASE THE WATER

The city council at their meeting last
Monday evening decided to grant ten
years franc h is to the Watertown
Water Company, after considerable
concessions were made on both
sides. The matter has been under con-
sideration for months past, and the
council has devoted great deal of time
and work to satisfactory solution of
the problem.
G. H. Gender, the president of the
Water Company was present in person
at the council meeting and the conces-
sions made by, him had considerable
influence in settling the. questions in
dispute between the company and the
city. l..
HYDRANT RENTAL
{ The greatest difference arose between
the parties in the matter of hydrant
rental. The company asked for the old
rate of s4s per hydrant per year, while
the council felt disposed to pay s25. The
matter was finally settled by the conces-
sion that the city pay s25 per hydrant
for the hydrants now in use, and S49 per
hydrant for new ones.
WATER FOR CITY USE
After considerable discussion it was
agreed that the city should pay for wa
ter used thru their flush tanks,at school
buildings and public buildings, at the
rate of 12c per thousand gallons, with
the understanding that the company
furnish the city with 100000 gallons of
water free for the purpose of flushing
clogged sewers, etc. 1t is estimated
that the city will use 100000 gallons
of water during the year, which at 12c
per thousand gallons, will amount tc
$1440. The hydrant rentals under the
new franchise on those now in use will
amount to s305O. The present water
bill of the city is $500, so that under
( the new agreements there will be sav
ing to the city of s1O1O. .
MINIMUM RATE E
The minimum rate for residences is to
be IS per year, and customers will have
the privilege ofusing 80 2,OOO gallons year
3 with the further privilege that if in any
quarter they use less than they are en-.
titled to, they may make up the short
age by using more the following quar-
ter. Consumers also Sget advantages
from the new lawn rates as agreed upon.
The rate will be SO per year, with the
I privilege Of not starting the water until
9 the second quarter If SO desired, and
paying only for the quarter used.
STAND PIPE
& a discussion of the water question
without reference to the staadp:pe would
be impossible. twas agreed that the
j pipe should be thoroly cleaned twice
each year under the supervision Of the
city authorities and to their satisfaction
EXTENSIONS
The matter OF extensions was thorol,i
discussed, and it was finally agreed that
owing to the shortness of the term OF
the franchise, the city would !. not ask
for any extensions during the last five
Years thereof. Itiwas agreed that When
4 extensions are called for the npany
shall be guaranteed an income along the
exits nsion of l5 per cent per annum for
4. i've I'VE years On the original cost; the hs-
sdrant rental Of s4s of course to be part
of this income. gss
70 DIR oRDINANcE fs7Es
Mayor Thomas appointed Aldermen
IS "a ineyss Hawley and Lester, an6S city at