The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-10-27

it is proper perhaps that l should touch
upon the work that has been done by
it's members since the last annual
meeting for the betterment Of this
town, and leave to the several COM
mittees the task of more fully de-
scribing it.
LIGHTs-For the impulse and for the
initiative toward reform in lighting
conditions, the Civic association is
certainly entitled to credit. The car
rying out of that reform by the organ
ization of new company has, Of ne
ceSsity, deyolved upon individual
members of this association and not
upon the association itself Thanks
to the courageous and persistent eff
forts of these gentlemen the town is
now brilliantly lighted at a moderate
cost, and private consumers have, and
will have, better service at reduced
rates. Fortunately for all concerned,
the Public Service Corporation has re-
tired from the field thus leaving to
the new company all the electric
lighting business of Morristown and
relieving many parts Of the town from
duplicate sets of poles and wires.
SEWERS Probably the sewer is the
most important improvement started
by this association. At its inception,
dire predictions were heard of the
sickness that would follow the exca-
vations necessary to lay pipes through
the streets. To-day, practically all
such pipes have been laid without any
exodus of citizens because of the sup
posed danger and apparently without
any sickness arising therefrom. The
dispute as to location of the disposal
bed is still in the courts. When this
question shall be finally disposed of,
the town will begin to feel the benefit
OF this great improvement.
ORDINANCES Alter repeated petit
tions by this association, the ordi-
dances have been revised and shortly
will be in print.
BOARD OF HEALH-- Y our officers and
committees have put forth every ef-
fort to secure the appointment of the
very best men upon the Board of
Health and the results have more than
satisfied our expectations. No part of
the municipal organization has done
better work during the past year,
than has the Board of Health.
RoADs-To the general condition of
our roadwayS, the road committee has
given much attention, and has en-
| plOyed two experts who have advised
with us and whose reports upon the
conditions found and the remedies
suggested have been made public and
| lave been furnished to the Board of
| Aldermen. The road question is one
of the most serious to-day confronting
suburban municipalities, and Morris
| town has much TO learn and much to
do before its roads will be a credit to
the community.
| LATERALs-At the instance and by
the efforts of this association, law
was proposed and passed at the last
session of the legislature which EN-.
powers the Board of Alderman to Or
Der property owners to lay sewer Ia
terals connecting with the mains, and
also upon our petition, the Board OF
Aldermen passed an ordinance calling
| for additional care from all who make
openings in our roadwayS and requir-
ing a cash deposit to insure their
proper restoration.
/ want to testify at this point to
the courtesy shown by the Mayor and
\ Board Of Aldermen in matters which
have been brought before them by
your officers, and. to the consideration
that they have given to our petitions
and suggestions.
WASTE CANs-By the kindness OF
two of our members, few cans have
been placed in appropriate places in
the streets for the receipt Of waste
papers and other rubbish. If these
accomplish what is hoped, more
cans will be provided.
SIGNS Two signs have been ordered
to be placed at dangerous points In
Madison avenue and on Washington
street, warning automobiles against a
breach of the speed law.
A committee is now perfecting ar.
| rangementS for the substitution OF
proper street signs to take the place
Of those badly dilapidated or entirely
missing.
These are some of the activities Of
this association during the last year
Aside from continued efforts on these
| lines, there are new questions which
may face us before another year shall
pass. Some OF these are; ~ Question
of Incorporation as End class city; r.
Full control of all the roadways of the
town; (3) Public parks and play
4 grounds (4) Track elevation.
i While many of these subjects viii
come officially before the Board Of AL
dermen for their final decision, there
i is little doubt that this association
can, If it will, materially assist ii
reaching the desired solutions.
| Above all, we have not forgotten
the prime object for which this organ
ization was formed, the fostering anC
encouraging of greater civic pride, thu
source of all municipal improvement
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS w. CAULDwELL,
Morristown, October |, 1908.
Chairman Bacot, of the streets ant
roads committee, reiterated the state
ment made many times Of the made
Quacy or inefficiency Of the presen