Smyrna times., 1912-05-01
COUNCIL SEES NO CHANCE
FOR SPRINKLER SERVICE
UNLESS PROPERTY OWNERS
REINSTATE THEIR PAVE-WASHES
Revenue so Cut From This Source
Council Cannot Meet Expenses of
Operating the Street Sprinkler

OoiiSh SatilOl NGGL expenses OF
Operating the Street Sprinkler
Smyrna Town Council at it's
regular session Friday evening
gave more discussion to the matter
of operating the public street
sprinkler and when they finished
the matter was "as much in the
air" as ever. In fact, it is hardly
probable that the sprinkler in Smyr-
ma will be operated for sometime to
come, if ever. The pave wash SER
vice, in the instance of a number of
takers has been ordered dicontinued
and every one that comes off lessons
the chances of getting the sprinkler
service. Council knows this only
too we'll and despite, is appeals to
the contrary not much encourage
ment from this source is looked for.
All see and feel the need of a public
sprinkler in dry, dusty weather.
From their own personal point of
view and comfort not a member of
Council wishes to see the sprinkler
abandoned. If the pave-wash rov-
enues will not support it, then
only one way is open, and that is
an increase in taxes. Under the
present charter, the taxes cannot be
increased beyond their present rate
without special act of the Legisla-
ture and much petitioning and solic-
iting has to be done before this can
be accomplished. If once the priv
ilege to raise the rate is granted, it
has been figured that property own
ers will have to stand an increaso of
at least 25 per cent to give the
Council sufficient income to pay the
expenses for operating the sprinkler.
The tax-rate plan would make it
very hard on the large property
owner, while the renter. who re-
ceives equally as much benefit,
would pay nothing. 1t is the opin-
ion of the majority of Council that
this plan is hardly just or FEAST
BILE. In fact the consensus of opin-
( ion seemed to be that the plan
under which the sprinkler has been
operated for a number of years, by
pave-wash revenues, is the best and
only satisfactory way it can be
operated by the Town.
Another Plan BY Private Subscription
There is no doubt Council would
welcome the plan of operating the
public sprinkler by private sub,
scriptiOn, like it is done in Dover
and other towns. This system is all
right if all join the movement, but
where only those who pay get the
service, leaves bare and dusty
places that simply defeat a
thorough and systematic service. and
citizens would rather see the Town
Council in charge of the service than
a private corporation. Just what
will be done no one at this time can
say. Council seems determined
that they will not take hold of the
enterprise unless property owners,
especially those who signed a petit
tion sometime ago agreeing to do
so, reinstate their pave-washes. The
pave-wash, they contend. can be used
in many ways for the convenience of
takers besides sprinkling the street.
They are invaluable for washing
pavements, porches. lawns, etc., and
why they should be abandoned,
even with street sprinkler service,
is something the members of the
Board cannot understand.
Telephone Company Wants Franchise
Solicitor Galloway, representing
the Diamond State Telephone Com
pany, appeared before Council with
a set of articles of agreements,
which he wished Council to consider.
The Company, he said, was anxious
to have a working frachise in every
town so as to know their rights
and limitations. Improvements, he
averred, are continually being made
and already Smyrna and Milford
are being considered for the "com-
mon battery service" the service
that does away with q subscriber
ringing up central. :" simply lift
ing the receiver and that is all.
Council held the subject up for
further consideration, owing to
other business allowing no time for
discussing it.
Assessor Anthony Submits Assessment
Assessor Henry S. Anthony sub
mitted his assessment of the real
and poll taxables of the town OF
Smyrna for 1912. 1t amounted to
$l,079, 920 real and $4,000 poll.
On motion the list, was accepted,
Mr.. Anthony's property assessed,
and Appeal Day notices ordered
published. See advertisement.