Perth Amboy evening news., 1914-12-03
ADOPT PLAN TO
SAVE Sl25 FOR
LAND OWNERS
Alderman CIark's Plan to Use
Trenches for Both Sewer
and Water Connections viii
Save Owners Over $10O.

John j. Clark, chairman OF the
streets and sewers committee of the
Board of Aldermen, before the Board
of Water Commissioners, whereby,
according to City Engineer Samuel
J. Mason property owners along New
Brunswick avenue will be saved be-
tween $125 and $3.50 in assessments,
was adopted by the water board at
its meeting last night.
The commissioners commented
favorably on the alderman's fore
thought and interest on behalf of the
property owners along the line OF
street improvement now under way
in New Brunswick avenue Alder
man John w. Kelly, of the fire COM
mittee Of the Board Of Aldermen,
accompanied Mr.. Clark and asked
the board to improve the condition
of certain fire plugs throughout the
city which have been continual
source OF complaint from the fire
men. He said that Alderman Chris
Jorgensen, chairman Cf the commit
tee, and Alderman-at-large w. Guy
Weaver intended to appear with him
before the water board, but were un-
able come.
Plan To Use Same Trenches.
Mr.. Clark stated his proposition In
few words, declaring that 1t was
only to offer the water board the
privilege of laying It's water connec-
tions to houses along the route of the
improvement under way in New
Brunswick avenue in the same
trenches dug for the sewer connec-
tions. This, he said, would save an
extra digging and filing, which would
mean less cost for the installation of
the water connections, which would
decrease the amount the water board
would assess against the individual
property owners, thereby saving
those owners considerable money. He
said that he had reached an agree
ment with the contractor whereby he
would hold open the trenches dug for
the sewer connections until the water
board could place their connections.
Mr.. Clark mentioned the higher
assessments caused by digging separ-
ate trenches for water and sewer con-
nections in Amboy avenue, which has
recently been improved, declaring
that. 1t was unnecessary expense to
the property owners along that thor
oughfare. The alderman further ex-
planned that there would be sewer
connection to every twenty-five foot
lot on both sides OF the street, and
that the contractor would have to dig
down twelve feet to reach the sewer
to place the connections; that as the
sewer connections are laid much
deeper under the ground than service
pipes, the contractor would fill the
trenches up to within four feet of
the surface, at which depth the wa
ter connections are laid. He said
that the contractor would still be
held responsible for the leveling OF
the surface Of the street over the
trenches. 1t was suggested that by
this plan the contractor would save
filling in four feet and the water
board would save digging down four
feet, thereby lessening the assess
ments which will be made by the wa
ter board against the property own
ers aloy.g the thoroughfare. The
cp4ta..lissioners considered the idea a
good one and Mr.. Mason suggested 1t
would mean a saving of ten cents per
foot to property owners.
Proposition is Adopted.
After the explanation of the prop
osition made by Mr.. Clark the follow
Ing resolution, presented by W. P.
Runyon, chairman of the pipe COM
mittee, was unanimously adopted: f:
THAT the water board accept the
suggestion Of Alderman Clark that
we lay our service pipe under pro-
posed new pavement, in New Bruins
wick avenue and use the same trench
es, as far as possible, that are dug
for sewer connections; 1t being nn-
derstood by the commissioners that
the contractor dig to the necessary
depth for the sewers and after they
are laid fill up to the height of the
water main and stamp. The water
department will then lay their service
pipe and fill and stamp up to level OF
the street"
The water main is four feet below
the surface and the sewer is twelve
feet below, and lie on the north side
of the avenue about four feet apart.
Commissioner Grieve suggested that
before the service pipe could be laid
in the trenches dug for the sewer
connections, shelves or braces would
be required to make the base solid.
Some of the sewer trenches have
already been dug, but left uncovered
at the suggestion of Mr.. Clark, pend
ing his visit before the water board
last night.
Fire Plugs In Bad Condition.
Alderman Kelly told the commits
sioners that number OF plugs
throughout the city were in bad con-
dition. He said that some had their
openings facing inward from the
curb and too near the curb, making
It unhandy and in some cases impos-
sible to effect steamer connections.
He called attention to plug at Hart
ford street and Buckingham avenue
which he said was In the middle Of
the walk and a menace to pedestri-
ans. He said the fire committee had
received complaints about the plugs
from the fire chief, Paul M. Volts
check.
On suggestion of Mr.. Runyon, Mr..
Kelly promised to furnish the board
at its next meeting a list of the plugs
I'm bad condition throughout the city.
Mr.. Kelly suggested that when the
old plugs are repainted and new ones
painted that the bodies be red and
fContinusd ON peGe. ~