Imperial Valley press., 1909-05-01
Trustees Discuss Proposed Municipal Ownership of
 System
Special Meetings Planned to Elicit Views of Citizens of Fl Centro on Issue of Bonds For Purchase of Ex- isting Plant or Construction of New Reservoirs and Pipe Lines.

Municipal ownership of the city water system is the theme which has been arousing official and general dis cussion during the past week. It was the main subject of this weeks meet ing of the Board of City Trustees, held on Tuesday night in the City Hall, and it is probable that special meeting of the Board will be called for further discussion before. the time of the next regular session.
 The board met at 7:30 o'clock, with Trustees J. Stanley Brown, w. o. Hamilton and H. B. Pearson present. The minutes of the meetings of April 13, 19 and 20 were read ana approved
 Finance Commissioner Brown re- ported that he and the City Clerk had bought a safe from the Diebold Safe Company in accordance with the proposition of the company's agent, G. H. Brooks.
 Sewer Commissioner Hamilton re- ported that pr. J. c. Blackinton has given right of way extending from Commercial street to the east line of the city and a road from the Bradford land to Commercial street; that c. c. Bradford end ID. R. Crawford have both given rights of way, and that only the easements of Elizabeth Bork, J. F. Moore, and B. F. Simmons re- main to be secured.
 He reported that by changing the route of the outfall sewer it would not be necessary to secure the Bork and Morris easements. The matter was discussed and left with the Sew CT Commissioner.
 A motion was adopted which pro- vides that the City Engineer shall run the street lines of Fourth street from Holt avenue to the southern line of the city and the street lines of Third street from Orange street to the southern city limits.
 The matter of a nuisance arising from the accumulation of cabbage of fal was discussed and referred to the Health Officer.
 A motion was adopted providing for the resumption of street sprink- ling and that D. D. Pellet be relieved of the position of Assistant Street Commissioner, and that Street Con- missioner H. B. Pearson resume the superintendnce of this work.
 The Street Commissioner was em- powered to employ the former con- tractor, MT. Watkins, to do the sprInk- ling on the same terms as the former contract.
 Finance Commissioner Brown re- ported that he had agreed to rent for City Hall purposes the north room of the ground floor of the First Ma tional Bank building for one year at the rate of $25L per month.
 The Finance Commissioner was au- thorlzed to have such fixtures placed in the new City Hall as are needed.
 The balance of the time of this session was devoted to general dis cussion of the proposition of Fl Centro securing it's own municipal water sys- tenn. The growth of the city requires general extension of water service, and 1t Is the sentiment of the mem bers of the Board that now is an op- portune time to bring. about munich pal ownership.
 It is believed that the assessed val uation of the city this year will al- most if not quite reach the $1,0OO,OOO mark, and that regardless of the re- cent issue of sewer bonds the city would be amply able to provide through new bond issue, for the purchase of the present system and It's general extension, or the building of an entire new system.
 After general discussion, it was de- olded that each member of the Board should constitute a committee of one to obtain all available information relative to the matter, and while the Board adjourned until the next reg ular meeting night, it is expected that a call will issue for a special meeting for the express purpose of a contIn-
 of the discussion and general