Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-11

u
Water District 20 take property in this
way when the people of the town had
no power Of appeal Their charter
gives them the right to take real es-
tate to preserve the purity of the wa
ter, but have they any right to take
the whole taxable property of the town
of China 49, asked Mr.. Thompson.
There were many other farms in the
town that were more the source Of
pollution than those that had been ia
ken. He called attention to the amend
ment OF the general law made in 1903.
which included the property of any
public municipal corporation of the
state and United States. in what en-
empted from taxation. He also mem
toned dispute which followed some
years later as to whether one NUM-
cipality could own property in another
municipality and have it exempted
from taxation.
MIR. HerScy of the committee at this
point suggested that what Mr.. Thomp-
son was asking for was class legiSla.
ton. Mr.. Thompson replied that all
that was asked for was an amendment
to the original charter granted to the
district. -. j.. HusseS. chairman of
the Vassalboro board of selectmen,
said that the residents of his town as
We'll as those of China wished the
charter amended.
Harvey p. Eaton of Waterville in
opening the case for the rcmonstrants
took exceptions to a number of state
ments that had been previously made
by Mr.. button. He explained that the
kenneboe Water District was a NUM-
cipal corporation with two trustees
Iappointcd hy the municipal officers Of
WaterVille. two appointed by the NUM-
cipal officers of the Fairfield Village
Corporation and one member from
outsid" Tn" district appointed by the
county commissioners of kcnneboc
county. He said that China lake had
been considered as source Of water
supply before the district acquired the
water works from the Maine Water
co.
Mr.. Eaton declared that the kenne-
bee Water District had spent more
money in an effort to obtain a pure
water supply than any other water dis
trict in the State. He said that soon
after the district had got possession
of the China lake water supply they
learned that there was a proposition
on foot to build up summer cottages
around China lake and found that the
proposition Of an electric road in close
proximity to China lake would bring
in large number of summer visitors
and exeursonists. Accordingly it
seemed best at once to begin to ac-
quire property on the shore of the
lake tho nj ia
increase OF cottages there We have
acquired six miles of lake front" he
continued. but in many cases we have
sold the property back. leaving only
q strip along the shore. ! think in all
some $24,00o has been paid for this
property. most of which has been Il
clear gitt."
In regard to the charge that the dis
trict had bought property several
miles away from the intake Mr.. Eaton
explained that it had been done to
prevent any one from blasting near
the bed of the lake in such IA way
THAT might bring the water below the
level OF the intake.
The matter Of the sale of the Ever
EFT clark farm to Mr.. Jealous was
taken up by Mr.. Eaton ana he stated
that the district purchased that be-
cause its former owner had plotted il
into ~ cottage lots running around
the shore Of the lake which he pro-
posed to sell. lie stated that while
the china residents were now making
their objection to the exemption from
taxation of the property of the Water
District in China they formerly OBJ
jected To the district having any sup
erViSion OYER the lake at all and said
that they could take care of the matter
Of pollution themselves.
He explained that he had attempt
ed to settle the question with the Sc
lectmen at Nassalboro and China by
the payment Of a certain sum annual
~ to these two towns. He objected
/" taxation with the possible lien on
property ana sale for taxes and all
other red tape incident to il.
Mr.. Trafton OF the committee asked
Mr.. Eaton if he considered that the
district had Il right to buy up all the
land around China lake If it was deem
cd nee, ssary Ia prevent the pollution
OF thu water supply and that it would
all be exempt Mr.. Eaton replied that
there was no question in his mind as
~ tine exemption 81 tnt property.
Ne are dead set against this bill.
but We are willing to do the right
thing by the people of Nassalhoro and
{ China said Mr., Eaton.
At this point Judge Mailer inquired
who was To be the judge of thu neces-
sity NJ condemning this land around
the lake The Kennehoc Water Dis
triCt," replied Mr.. Eaton. "Wny do
you object to taxation" urged Judge
MHher. st requires constant reValua-
| ton and subjects the property OF Il
| great municipal corporation TO lien
and possible sale" replied Mr.. Eaton.
Judge Maher in closing the case for
TIE propon nts. emphasized IN" point
that all the trainers If the bill We're
asking for was an amendment to the
charter So that property of the district
beyond the confines of the district
would be exempt from taxation. In re-
gard to the question of legality of tie
proceeding under the general law he
cited = similar New York case in which
the court had ruled that property be-
yond the confines of a water district
should be taxed. as its exemption
worked a hardship on the town.