Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1909-01-22
Municipal Ownership or Peace.

1t is up to the village of Brattleboro to
do one CT two things next Friday night,
Jan 90:
Vote to buy the Chestnut Hill and Sum
set Lake water systems for $3.50, 900, plus
the sum expended upon them with the
approval of the bailiffs since Dec. 10, 1906,
or to reject this offer, give up all idea
of municipal ownership, drop all discus
sion and agitation and permit Mr.. Crowell
to go ahead with his private ownership
in providing the village with water for
domestic and fire purposes.
That Brattleboro has a good water sys-
tenn has been pretty well demonstrated in
the past season of almost unprecedented
drouth. There has been no curtaiment
of the supply, no fear of a water famine
as in many other places. The village has
had an abundance of good water and has
been entirely free from sickness or trouble
traceable to its water supply There has
been more than enough water in Pleasant
valley at all times to fill the big main,
and if a larger main had been in use
between West Brattleboro and Centreville
there would have been no necessity for
pumping water from West river.
Crowell has submitted to them a brief
statement showing that the revenue from
the water systems from Oct. 1, 1907, to
Oct. 1, 1908, amounted to $19,447.12. The
expense of maintaining the systems Jan.
1, 1908, to Jan. 1, 1909, not including the
interest on floating debts and permanent
improvements, was $3S7O.5O, with superin-
tendent's salary fixed at $1,000. IT. is
understood that the expense for pumping,
which is included in the $337050, amount
ed to over $1,000. The outlay for pumping
could be eliminated in future years by
laying a larger main from West Brattle-
boro to Centreville.
The amount spent under the direction
of the bailiffs since Dec 10, 1906 in addi-
ton to certain hydrant bills already paid
is $10,44O.57. Therefore if the village
votes to buy it will be necessary to pay
Mr.. Crowell $4,000 plus $1O,44O57, or
$27O, 44O.57 The village would obtain
water rights and easements connected
with both systems and all the equipment
used with them.
In borrowing money a municipality has
a great advantage over an individual.
With an issuance of per cent, bonds the
interest charges on the purchase price of
| the water systems at $27O, 44O.57 would be
$10,S1762 annually. Adding the cost of
maintenance the past year, $SS7O,5O when
there was an unusual charge for pumping,
| the total expense of the system in year
under municipal ownership may be figured
at $141SS.12, which would show net pro-
! fit of $52591O. The quantity of water used
has increased very rapidly in the growing
village in the past eight years and it is
safe to predict with Brattleboro's present
prospects that the increase will continue
steadily for many years.
Here are the figures, given for the in
formation of the people. If the village
wants municipal ownership it can safely
calculate on having a system which will
not only be sef-sustaining but which will
provide a good sum each year to be laid
aside as a sinking fund
! If we are to have municipal ownership
buy the present systems at $270, 440.57; If
we don't want municipal ownership, let
us drop the whole proposition and hold
our peace.