Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-02-10
FRANCHISE TAX
SOUGHT BY DOVER
Town Seeks Fee From Eastern
Pennsylvania Power
Company.
Especial to the Newark star.I

Especial To the newark stHr.I
DOVER, Feb 10.-At a meeting of
the mayor and Common Council last
night resolution was passed to have
Town Attorney Elmer King investi-
gate the validity of the present con-
tract with the Eastern Pennsylvania
Power Company, which at present
does not compel the payment of
franchise tax to the town, while
similar corporations operating in
Dover are forced to pay tax. The
only tax paid by the firm Is the
amount stipulated in the State regu-
lations.
The company has a ten-year con-
tract to supply street lighting, and
Councilman Eustis F. Rudine was OF
the opinion that a franchise tax
should be imposed, inasmuch as 1t is
required of the other corporations.
Councilman Robert Richards stated
that the validity of the contract was
doubtful as municipalities the size OF
Dover could not legally enter into a
contract for street lighting for more
than five years.
Jersey City Complains.
In a communica ton to the Council,
Commissioner Ferris, of the depart
ment of streets and public improve
ments of Jersey City, stated that
Sanitary Engineer Charles 8.
Breitzke, who has been superintend-
ing the work of cleaning the river
bed of the Rockaway watershed for
several months, had reported that the
residents of Dover living adjacent to
the stream continued to throw refuse
and filth into the water. which is part
of the Jersey City water supply. The
commissioner urged that the Council
take some action toward compelling
the discontinuance of the practise.
The town clerk was instructed to in
form Mr.. Ferris that a Waterman
would be appointed to patrol the
watershed provided the expense was
borne by Jersey City.
Councilman Richards. as chairman
of the fire and lamps committee, re-
ported that he had informed the
Randolph Township Committee OF
the action of the council at recent
meeting, when it was decided to nave
the outlying townships share the ex-
pense of extinguishing the frequent
fires which the local fire department
were called upon to fight. Mayor w.
L. r. Lynd said that unless ali ar
rangement was made to haVe COM
pensation for the work then the pro-
lection should be withdrawn. as even
the insurance rates at Bowlbyville
are regulated by the protection which
Dover Is called upon to give.
lie further stated that he had sent
a letter to Senator Charles A. Rath-
bun urging that a law be enacted TO
compel unprotected townships to re-
imburse the municipalities who fur
nish equipment and men to extin-
guish fires, as Morristown also mad
difficulty with adjacent townships re-
garding the matter.
Lack Sinking Fund.
Mayor Lynd reported that several
members of the council had met with
the Board of Water Comm ;ssioners,
and the question of retiring part OF
the $4,000 water bonds issued in 1871
and 1902 when the town water sup
ply was purchased, was discussed.
The first issue of $50, 900 becomes due
| in 1881, and the rate of interest is 4
| per cent, of which four bonds OF
| 81 900 each have been retired. Dur
!, ing 1902 bonds totaling $4,000 were
| issued for twenty years bearing in
terest at 31a and per cent, of which
the State of New Jersey purchased
one-half, or equal to $4,000. A sink
ing fund has never been established,
and the mayor suggested that some
/ method be devised to remedy the
] condition. The question was deferred
until the next meeting, when 1t Is ex-
pected a definite plan will be adopted.
It was brought out at the meeting
! that only nine dog licenses had been
/ issued since January l and large
number of CANNES made their home
/ in the streets A motion was passed
to have the dog ordinance enforced
| and order the pound-keeper to take
| charge of unlicensed dogs
Advisory Tax Board.
| At the suggestion of Councilman
/ Richards a committee of three mem
j bers of the council was appointed to
act as an advisory board to the town
assessor, 1t being the consensus of
opinion among numerous citizens and
property owners that the work should
not be left In the hands of an in
| dividual. Mayor Lynd appointed
| Councilmen Richards Rud,ne and
! Alderman Whitman to assist in as
sessing the property in the town.
The request of the Board of Health
| for an appropriation of $500 for the
work of the department was granted.
An appropriation of $500 was also
made to Protection Hook and Ladder
| Company No. l.
Tax Collector James T. Lowe re-
ported that during the month of jan
uary $42,o5474 was collected and the
SIG, 97769.
Hurt in Runaway