The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-12-18
WATER WORKS MEN
EXPLAIN DETAILS
COUNCIL MEETING. MONDAY EVEN
ING VERY INTERESTING
Rough Estimate of Engineers That
Cost Of a Water System Here Would
Approximate $40, 900

AS result of more or less agitation
OF the matter three civil engineers APP
peared before the common council,
Monday evening, to explain in a pre-
liminary way the matter of water
works system for Clio.
The gentlemen were heard in success
sion, Mr.. Mulvihill, of the Grand Rap
ids Hydraulic Engineering Co., speak
ing first. He detailed the necessary
legal steps that would have to be taken.
viz: that no village or city may issue
bonds for the construction of such an
Improvement exceeding in cost five
per cent. of the assessed valuation and
that an estimate must be made of the
cost of such system and the same
submitted to the people for their APP
proval by ballot, two-thirds majority
being necessary for ratification.
Mr.. Mulvihill told of a system now
being installed in Bancroft. Mich, a
town of about 600 population, where
5000 feet of main is being laid, the
total expense of the system being
5000, approximately. This plant is of
what is known as the elevated tank
type and is automatic. That is to
say, steel storage tank, holding
many thousands of gallons of water.
furnishes the pressure and when the
water in this tank gets below a certain
point an electric motor starts automat-
ically and pumps it up to the limit when
1t automatically stops. The attention
required for system of this character
IS very slight, so he said, and is gen
orally given by the marshal or street
commissioner in connection with other
duties.
Mr.. Murdoch, another engineer, sue
ceeded Mr.. Mulvihill. He advised the
employment of engineers to draw the
plans and specifications who had no
connection with the contracting bust
ness, as he claimed it was not good
practice to allow contractors to inspect
their own work.
A. H. Smith. of the Smith & Boulav
Co., of Toledo, was the next speaker
He said his firm had had much expert
ence in water works engineering, hav-
ing prepared the plans for the systems
in Wayne, Brown City, Perry and other
points. and had just undertaken SINH
lar contract for Schoolcraft. In Wayne.
village of about 1,5OO people, the
plant cost $27, 900 and the entire ex--
pense Of operation is about $40. 90 per
month. Brown City's plant cost Sls.-
600 and Perry expended like amount.
In Schoolcraft, town comparable in
size to Clio, the estimated cost of the
system is $40, 200.
All of the engineers agreed. practi-
cally, that the cost of installing a sys-
tenn would be approximately one dollar
per foot of main laid, providing ade-
quate wells were secured with reason
able readiness, and all agreed that the
village was fortunately circumstanced
as regards natural drainage.
The advantages that would accrue in
the way of fire protection and saving
in insurance rates was pointed out and
it was predicted that the system would
be self-sustaining within few years.
The proposals for charges on the
part of all of the engineers was about
the same, VIZ: SIS to 500 for a pre-
liminary estimate on which the matter
might be taken before the people and
five per cent of the contract price Of
construction in case the project is car
ried out.
The council took the matter under
Amusement and, we understand, will
make an effort to ascertain public SEN
timent, in measure, before anything
further is done.
We should state, perhaps, that mem
bers of the council are unit in saying
that they would not favor any water
system that did not afford protection
from fire to every residence in Clio, and
we are told, also that many of the els
terms in different parts of the village
are in bad condition and will soon have
to be replaced or repaired.