Norwich bulletin., 1909-01-08
OANlELSON.

Continued from Page Nine.)
have sufficient fire protection, and
also be at no additional expense.
The clause in the present contract
which states that the rates to private
consumers shall not be increased has
been left out of the proposed contract.
And it is probable that a utilities
commission viii be named by the leg
islature at the session this winter who
win have control of the water compa-
MES of the state, and in case our rates
are deemed too high an appeal to the
commission can be made and proper
adjustment may be ordered. In this
connection it is proper TO state that
this community is not only blessed
with an abundance Of good water
when so many Of the towns in the
state, during the past season, have
suffered from want of water, or have
had to take their water from rivers
and other polluted streams, but also
our hydrant and consumers rates
compare favorably with the rates in
other towns throughout the state.
Consumers Rates.
OF the twelve or fifteen companies
with which Mr.. Wheeler. treasurer of
the Crystal Water company, is con-
neCted, our hydrant rentals are as low
as the lowest, and as to the consumers
rates we annex a table showing the
rates of all the water companies in
the state. both private and munich
pal. A few of them. most Of which
have a population exceeding our own,
are: Danielson, family, l faucet IS
each. additional faucet 50; Putnam,
family Sc, families $40, Willimantic.
family Sc, each additional person I5c;
Jewett City, family Sc, each additional
faucet 81; Stafford Springs. l family
Of five Sc each. additional person SOC;
Stonington, family Sc, two families
$40.
Claim Compromised.
An agreement was also reached with
the Crystal Water company relative
to the claim of $3.50 for hydrant serv-
ice in 1900 which the borough refused
to pay, claiming the Stearns reservoir
was empty for a period of time, and
that the water company was thereby
violating the terms of the contract.
This claim, amounting with interest
to August I, 1903, to S303.51, was
compromised by your committee offer
ing to settle for the original amount,
without interest, namely $3.50. The
committee thought it better for the
borough to pay this amount rather
than to have any litigation and thus
maintain the amicable relations exist
ing between the borough and the
Crystal Water company.
Fourteen Municipal Plants.
As regards a municipal water sup
ply for the borough, your committee
have not had sufficient time to look
into the matter very thoroughly. There
is no doubt in our minds that If the
borough had. twenty years ago, put in
its own water plant, we should today
be enjoying a fair profit from the in
vestment, but as to the benefits to be
derived from the purchase of the pres
eut works, after twenty years serv-
ice. your committee would leave that
matter an open question. Out of the
forty-two water works in the state,
fourteen only are municipal plants.
Such cities as New Haven, Bridgeport,
Putnam, Rockville, Bristol Naugatuck
and Torrington are supplied by pri-
vate corporations Harry E. Back,
commissioner Of the bureau of labor
statistics. in his report Of D cember,
1899. says that the water protection
is profitable is shown by the fact that
Of the twelve municipal plants, eleven
municipalities secure their water with
out cost and make a handsome profit
out OF the private users, although
large sums have been charged off in
estimated depreciations. The
twenty two private plants also, with
one exception. show profits.
II Is ldll TO CONcluQe LtdJ III uluIlICl-
pally owned plants, those towns. cit
les and boroughs make q profit from
the private users and secure the water
for public uses without cost, while in
privately owned plants, on the whole,
municipalities have to pay as much
for their water as private users"
In conclusion we recommend:
First-That the borough make a ten
year contract with the Crystal Water
company for hydrant service follow
ing the form Of contract submitted.
Second-That the borough rescind
its vote Of April 49, 1903. and pay the
Crystal Water company $3.50 in full
settlement Of their claim.
Third-That the matter OF a NUM-
cipal water supply continue to be ag-
2ated and thoroughly investigated be-
FIVE tba bpTnupI commits itself