Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-12-16
our PUBLIC
IMPROVEMENTS
FOR AUDUBON DURING 1915
By HON. Il. ]. MANTZ


during the past year. I might pre-
face my remarks by stating that the
past year has been a notable one in
the towns history so far as improve
ments are concerned. There had
come to be sort of general belief
that Audubon was in the back-num-
Der class owing to the fact that it
had not kept pace with the progress
of improvements of other towns. II
is true that certain improvements
had been delayed but this was not
due to the fact that the citizens were
opposed to said improvements, but
was because of the fact that certain
other questions had to be first set
tied Especially is this true with
regard to the sewer system.
In the first place no sewer system
is efficient without an abundant sup
ply of water, and in order to clear the
way for sewers it became necessary
to settle the question of our water
supply. In the Judgment of the
writer the question of water has
been solved. I do not wish to be un-
derstood as saying that the present
means of pumping the water will be
at all times sufficient, but l do mean
that the deep well has all the water
the town will ever use and the only
problem will be that of getting It to
the surface of the ground. 1t may
be that later when the consumption
of water increases the present pump
ing system will be found inadequate
and another system will have to be
installed. At the present time we
are using water at the rate of close
to 100000 gal. daily or a per capita
of about SO gal. 1t is well known
fact that under the present flat rate
system much water is being wasted
and in some instances the amount
charged is grossly inadequate to the
amount used. The only fair and
equitable manner of handling the
question of water and of doing just
ice alike to the town and the consum-
er will be to install meters through
out the town putting one for each
user. In that way waste will be dim
inished and the consumer will pay
for what he gets and nothing more.
At the pumping station alone, the
town has invested at least $4,000
and it is idle to argue that this
amount of capital should be operat-
ed at a loss.
1t has been the experience In other
towns where meters have been in
stalled that the water consumption
has been reduced all the way from
% to so per cent. This would mean
a great saving in the yearly expense
of pumping and a direct saving to
the taxpayers.
The principal Improvement begun
during the year has been the sewer
system. At the present time it is
nearing completion and before jan
uary list, the east side system should
be in working order. The present
council finding that public sentiment
favored a sewer system at once pro-
ceeded to make preparations for its
building. The first step was the en-
ployment of competent engineer,
Mr.. P. A. Edquist of Omaha, grad
uate of the Engineering College or
the University of Stockholm, Sweden,
was employed to have charge of the
work. Preliminary plans and esti-
mates were made by him ana IN due
time bids were asked for. Out of
field of about Is bidders the lateral
sewers were let to Fred Rowat ana
the disposal plants to Ward e Weigh
ton. Men in position to know tell us
that we got a very good bids for the
work completed.
The public generally has a very in
adequate idea of the difficulties en-
countered in building a sewer sys-
tenn in Audubon. Take a day off
some time and travel over the differ
ent streets of our town and you will
be surprised at the number of short
abrupt hills, hollows, divides and de-
pressions. These all have an i'm
portant bearing on the plan and cost
of sewer system The first consid-
Grafton is to so construct sewer
system so that it will benefit the pub
lie generally, and 1t was planned to
render it accessible to practically ev-
cry lot in town. We believe that this
was done with the exception of half
block in the northeast part of town.
Then it was so planned that most of
the easements could be drained thru
it, Work was begun as soon as con-
ditions permitted and has been car
ried on throughout the summer. All
of us know the weather conditions
existing during the summer and this
fact was an especial handicap to the
people building the sewer. The ex-
cessive rains interfered both with the
work in the bitches and the hauling
material to the disposal plants. 1t
is to be hoped that the work will be
completed within a short time and
that the system will be put into gen.
eral use. There can be no two opin-
ions as to the value of a sewer sys-
TEN to the town as well as to its in
habitants. 1t is a big step in the way
of better sanitation and ii is of great
use in disposing of filth and offal
which usually is allowed to accum-
ulate and contaminate the premises.
By its use is promoted the comfort,
health and convenience of the users.
In the matter of new sidewalks
Audubon has lived up to it's reputa-
ton of being town with many good
sidewalks. During the year last pas
sed there have been laid nearly one
mile of good permanent sidewalks.
There are many other walks to be
laid but owing to the lateness of the
season were put off until next year.
This certainly speaks well for the
progress and prosperity of the town.
During the past year nearly quar-
ter of mile of new water mains
have been laid Most of this was in
West Audubon. This was done for
the purpose of making the city water
available to users and extending the
fire protection. II is planned to
make future extensions of the water
system so that every sewer user will
have the water at his disposal.
The matter of paving parts of the
town has been considered and before
long surveys will be made and plans
drawn. Some time last summer a
petition was presented to the council
asking that Broadway and Tracy st. |
to the North Western depot and