Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1910-11-30
READJUSTMENT OF LIGHT
AND WATER RATES
Ordinances 10 Be Presented Before CounCil--A
Business Mans View Of Cause Of Conditions

No question is discussed by our
people with such unfailing regularity
as the problem OF the towns finance
and the cost Of her public utility SER
VICE Different policies carried out
under the many changes OF admins
ration have been tried with little or no
elief. Causes OF the increased cost
and lesscned efficiency have been dis
cussed, remedies suggested and tried,
but all without the desired result. The
town during the past few years has
seen its greatest growth and low as
sessablc property has been developed
and thereby increased our revenue
But even this has failed to relieve the
tension. This Council, as others pre-
ceding it, has been cautious and none
but necessary improvements have been
attempted. Mistakes have been made
.ol course, such as the meter system,
tor water service. But this, as well as
other instances, was a sincere attempt
70 adjust the finances and put that de-
"artinent on paying basis. Yet to-
tiay the meter system has failed TO
ecord the water consumed except at
. loss. The Department fails to pay
It's own expenses, thus the deficit has
to be made up from revenues derived
from some other source The same is
true to more or less extent with the
electric light department.
The present Council has decided to
have the matter adjusted and placed
on paying g-for-itself basis. By so
doing the Council deserves great
credit for the attempt and it is hoped
the true solution has been found A
special reason that fair recognition
should be given these men who are
about to pass new ordinances con-
corning rates in the light and water
department, is that it is an unpopular
move. To raise the tax rate has al
ways been questioned by many, yet
there are times when it is extremely
necessary. No man in business, nor can
town afford to furnish COM
modify at a continuous loss. And that
tbs is what the town las been doing
is the concehst1s OF opinion of those
best informed
The Council at its last session ap-
pointed committees to make thorough
investigation and suggest methods in
form of ordinances as to what was
best to be done to meet the situation.
The ordinance to be presented at
next Council by the committee on
Finance of the Water Department is
as follows:
AN ORDINANCE
Regulating and establishing rates for
water for the town OF Newark,
Delaware, in effect January Ist,
1911.
The minimum charges for all water
connections shall be Ten Dollars per
year dating from January Ist, 1911,
and continuing at same rate per year
from January Ist. If paid on or be-
lore January 3Ist of each year, re-
bate Of 10 per cent. will be allowed
upon the minimum charges only
Upon all bills not paid by said date,
no rebate will be allowed. All bills
for minimum charges must be paid by
April Ist, or water connections will be
cut off upon five days notice.
The allowance for water shall be
200 gallon for each three months
The meter reading shall be at the
end oi each three months and all water
used III excess of the above allowance
shat lie charged for as follows For
the first 5000 gallon, rs cents per 1000
for the second 5000 gallon, the rate of
20 cents will be charged; all in ex-
cess of 10000, the rate OF IS cents per
1000 gallon.
All properties not paying a city or
town tax shall pay IS per cent increase
on the above rates.