The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-05-20


Total horse power, s,5S7o3
Professor Roy L. Marston was call
ed upon to supplement the report of
the committee on water powers. Mr.
Marston stated that we were undoubt
eddy using but a small part of the
power which was capable of develop
ment. On plans thought out by him
| it would be possible, by building new
dams and taking the water from them
to the eddy by penstock, to produce
$4,000 horse power. OF the new dams,
the one on the north channel would
be located much as is the one now in
use. The one on the south channel
would doubtless find more favorable
location about twenty feet below the
present dam site. Both would want
to be higher than the present struc-
lures. This added height would be
determined by a survey OF the Ken
nebec fro II Bombazee Rips to the
great eddy, and this survey was of
such Importance with regard to all
plan that it was undoubtedly the first
step to be taken. 1t would cost about
5000 and, after some discussion it was
this amount, calling a special town
meeting for Tuesday, May 25th, for
that purpose.
Mr.. Marston said that the PROPOSE
tion was of such magnitude as to raise
some feeling of dismay but that it
was, nevertheless, we'll within the
range of practicalibiity. The plan
cont emplated the merging OF all the
nroGppt vuntar nnmars ap6 tho nan of
all the water at a central power sta
tion at the eddy, where the maximum
head could be obtained. In electrical
energy the power could be distributed
to the present factory buildings or to
new ones as desired. From such in
vestigation as he had been able to
make he was confident the amount of
power to be developed would Justify
the outlay of million dollars. 1t
was probable that the cost of the
entire Improvement would be very
much less than this sum. Mr.. Mars
ton believed the property could be
gotten into shape so that an issue of
bonds would furnish the major part of
the capital. Some questions were ask
ed of the speaker and other members
of the board spoke on the water pow
er subject after Mr.. Marston closed
his remarks. 1t requires courage to
even think of the project as present.
ed by Mr.. Marston, 80 much is at
variance with the previous use of
Skowhegau water power and so large
is the amount of money required
None could fail to see, however, that
the plan was worthy of the most care
full consideration. If $4,000 horse
power can be utilized from the waters
of the Kennebec at this point, Show
hogan might easily be city of $4,000
inhabitants within the next decade.
The regarding of Court street in
conjunction with improvements pro-
posed by the Maine Central railroad
was another important matter to re-
ceive attention. 1t appears the rail-
road is ready to macadamize its depot
grounds but, to get the best effect
of such an undertaking, 1t would be
necessary for the town to discontinue
the sidewalk on the westerly side of
the street and complete the portion
now lacking on the opposite side
The street itself would also have to
be macadamized anew to conform to
the relocated footwalk and the re-
graded depot grounds. An article
NoFoiihs o'iio P'oPooioloh wiz oioo DC
inserted in the warrant for the spe-
cial meeting above mentioned. The
estimated cost to the town is about
81, 200
President Ordway reported the
board membership to be we'll up
toward $50 and asked those present to
assist in securing the enrolment oil
new members A full two hundred
should be the number aimed at.
just before adjournment Mr.. Ord
way announced that the next meet
ing would be the regular meeting in
June, the special session, by general
consent, having taken the place OF
the regular meeting for May.