Imperial Valley press., 1909-11-27
WATER WORKS PLANS
 ARE STILL INDEFINITE
Municipal Project Advanced About Half an Inch Since
 Last June
Advisory Board Not Vet Supplied With Estimates in Detail and Un. able to Make Report or Give Ad.
 vice. Gas Company to Begin Lay ing Pipes in Streets Next Monday.

vice. Gas Company to Begin Lay
 ing Pipes in Streets Next Monday.
 At the meeting of the city trustees last Tuesday night a map showing the pipe lines of the gas works in the streets, instead of the alleys as required by the resolution of Nov. 9, was presented, and MT. Simmons explained on behalf of the gas con- pany that it would be impossible to avoid the sewer and water pipes in the alleys and get the necessary grade for the gas pipes The con- pany, he said, would put in service pipes to property lines in any streets the city might intend to pave and so obviate any cutting of the pave ment
 | Supt. Paris gave written notice that the gas company proposes to begin the work of laying pipe next Mon- day morning and will observe any regulations the trustees may make.
 The city attorney advised the board that the gas company probably had the right to do the proposed work and that no action on the notice seemed to be necessary. The board could not give specific permission to use the streets, as that would be granting franchise. He would look into the matter and consult Supt. Paris and if any action should be necessary he would advise the board at the next meeting.
 The city engineer presented amend ed plans of the proposed water sys- tenn showing settling basins and pumping plant on the Balcom tract, and long discussion of sites en- sued. The estimated cost had been raised again from $62,O00 to $71,O0O and Trustee Blackinton wanted to add another $2000 for a larger pipe to his property east of the railroad. Ray Balcom was asked what price would be asked for fifteen acres of land west of the ditch. He said he could not name a price at that time, but if the property were not sold as whole within few days, the price would be $250 an acre.
 The city attorney made patient ef- forts to induce the board to come to substantial agreement as to what it wants to do in order that he might prepare a resolution of intention to call a bond election but the mem- bers appeared to be no nearer a conclusion than they were last June
 Three sets of plans have been pre- pared by the city engineer to meet the changes of site for basins sug- gested from time to time, but no de- tail estimates have been presented and the type of pump and power ma chinery to be installed does not ap- pear to have been determined. The advisory board is not yet in posses sion of sufficient data upon which to predicate definite advice The trus- tees were not even agreed on the test we'll proposal.
 George A. Carter suggested that the test we'll project be cut out for the present and that the board go ahead and start something toward in stallation of water system. A well could be drilled at any time, and 1t was probable that the country would put down a water prospect hole and determine the artesian question be- fore the water works were complet- ed. The board received the sugges- tion with evident relief and agreed to leave test we'll out of the plan to be submitted to the people.
 The trustees voted that it was the judgment of the board that the set ting basins and pump should be To- cated on the Balcom tract If twenty acres could be bought for $25O an acre. Whereupon the city attorney said he would prepare the resolution of intention in accordance with the desires of the board.
 r. M. Burger applied to the board for a lease on part of an alley upon which his shop encroaches, but the 9 city attorney advised the board that , it could not give such a lease, anC the board voted to give Mir, Burger { notice that the building must be re-
 moved from the alley