Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-12-03
COMMON COUNCIL
ACTS TO IMPROVE
CITY WATERSHED
Appropriation of $1,000 to See
cure Estimates on Development
of Wanaque River Section.

The first DEFINITE action looking to
ward the requirement of an additional
water supply for this city was taken
by the Common Council last night when
a resolution was adopted appropriating
$1,000 to be used in securing from tbs
State Water Supply Commission pre-
liminary plans, specifications and esti-
mates for developing the Wanaque
river watershed district.
The resolution sets forth that the re-
cent drought and consequent depletion
of the reservoirs in the Pequannock
watershed has demonstrated the ne
cessity of the city's procuring an ad-
ditional supply within two years, either
by constructing additional reservoirs
in the Pequannock section or acquiring
ain auxiliary supply in some other man
ner.
wnnaoue River to Solve Problem.
1t has beer decided by the city en-
gineers that joint action on the part of
the municipalities in the Passaic val
lev and adjacent thereto to develop the
Wanaque river wound be the most eco
nomieal way for this city to obtain an
additional supply.
Chief Engineer Sherrerd, at the CON-
ference between the finance committee
Of the Common Council and the a
of Works. held earlier in the evening,
declared that the city would have to
spend at least $4,000 0 in the next two
years in the ~Pequannock watershed
in order to meet the city's demands,
the present supply being too dangerous
ly near the minimum TO excuse n
further delay in acquiring additional
sources of supply.
He made it very clear that the city
will have to undertake this important
work, even if it does so single-handed,
but if an arrangement involving Pater-
son, Passaic. Montclair and other towns
can be effected it would enable this city
to obtain the desired additional supply
at no greater proportionate cost than
the other towns interested.
Economical Features Pointed Out.
such a joint supply would, he said,
be most favorable to Newark, n
would enable this city to get the
needed supply at a lower cost than
would be incurred by the adoption OF
any other plan,
Another measure of great Importance
taken up by the Council last night was
the new building code, which has been
hanging fire for a long time. The dis
astrous fire Of n week ago no doubt
aided in Fastening action on the meas
IRE. as the code was passed on first
reading without discussion.
A public hearing VIII be held in the
Council chamber next Tuesday night,
at which the code will be discussed
and business men and property-oWners
are invited to be present and go over
the measure with the members of the
council.
The new code. which is very lengthy
and is printed in book form, vests the
building department with greater powsv
and defines the details of bullying
operations and construction much more
carefully than is provided by the exist
ing ordinances.
The adoption of his code would
greatly improve local conditions and
cover many Of the complaints that have
been lodged with the city as a result OF
the High street fire.
The Council also passed on first
reading a new weights and measures
ordinance which is aimed to correct
,thc evils tha we're revealed in the re-
cent investigation into h methods
employed by some dealers in he city.
II h measure is adopted all weights
and measures will have to be tested
by the city sealer and officially stamped
before they can be used. and certain
styles of weights and measures will
be barred altogether.
Lighting Committee Reports.
Tie municipal lighting committee re-
ported that it had arranged with com
petent experts to Investigate the prac-
- "a e --s-.r AT-a #AT1nLaaa aaTn-
duits for the extension of the City
Hall power plant. so that other pub
lie buildings. including the Centre Mar
ket and hrehouses, a be supplied
from the city plant.
The hospital committee submitted
Its annual report and recommended
tina all the hospitals and day nurs-
cries in the city be placed on an equal
footing in the mount of money re-
ceived from the city. This means that
several will get $500 more the coming
year thar they received in the past.
At the suggestion Of Alderman Mac
e;oWan all the day nurseries in the
city were included in the report, and
next year every one of these institu-
tons viii receive some financial sup
port from the city.
Band Concerts cost Less Ihan So'OOo'
The public band coneer committees
report for the year showed that forty
eight concerts had been held and that
approximately 100000 people had at
tended them. The cost was a trife
under $1,000, making an average ex-
pense of one cent for each person en-
~tertained.
The seasons concerts were Of a high
er order than formerly, and much
credit was given to Mart King, the
supervisor of concerts. for the IN
usually successful season.
The Board of Works was given per-
mission to use part Of the Almshouse
property in Sherman avenue as a stor-
age yard for water pipes.
ssaEE THE ~