The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-09-30
Warm Discussion Over Water Works
At Madison


MADISON, Sept. 24-FiremaH.s Hall
was filled on the evening of the 22nd
by company of representative citi-
zens and voters, the occasion being a
special meeting of the Madison Village
Corporation to discuss the water ques-
ton, which has been agitated for the
past 10 months. AS a result of the
meeting it is now expected that Madi-
son will have a supply of pure water
from Hancock pond in the near future.
The meeting was called to order by
Corporation Clerk A. B. Head and DR..
w G. Sawyer was elected moderator.
The results of the meeting were re-
ported as follows:
The report of the committee ap-
pointed to confer with similar COM
mittee from Arson was given by w.
B. Brown, who said in substance that
the committee of IL had in every feas-
ible way encouraged Arson to go
ahead and form a Water District and
that various joint meetings had been
held and that members OF the COM
mittee had appeared with Arson mem
bers before the Public Utilities Com
mission. Mr.. Brown stated that prac-
cally all arrangements had been
made by Arson for the installation of
the water system. The report of the
committee was accepted and the mem
bers discharged.
The next article was to see If the
corporation would vote TO buy the
plant and property of Madison,
provided a satisfactory price could be
agreed upon. This article was laid
upon the table in favor of the next ar
ticle, which was to see If the corpora
ton would vote to appoint commit
tee of three to confer with the Madison
Water Co. in regard to what price
would be asked.
w. B. Brown took the floor against
this proposition and in long speech
argued in substance that this was
what was desired by the water COM
pany as it would mean a court ap-
praisal. Mr.. Brown took up the act
by which the Madison Water District
was formed, in detail, showing how
many of the provisions were distinct
ly In favor of the company. Mr..
Brown gave short history of the
fight to date and said that the start of
the agitation was due to an increase
this move was made on the part of the
company to make a better showing II
the matter came to a court appraisal.
Judge C. o. Small stated emphatical,
" that he was not nor ever had been
an attorney for the Water Co. Mr..
Small stated that he was the author OF
the act referred to and that it was
drawn up at the request of the voters
and was patterned after the act for
Rumford also that it was not design
ed in any way to help the Water Co.
Judge Small stated that he was sorry
that the people could not agree on
some reasonable method of procedure
for pure water and said he could see
no harm in appointing the committee
to confer with the company. Both
Messrs. Small and Brown were hearth
" applauded at the close of their re-
marks.
The last speaker was f. w. Adams
who stated that he was not in favor of
taking vote to buy the plant until
the company had set a price upon it.
and urged the voters not to endorse
such a plan. He stated that if gra-
witty system were put in, the power
now used for pumping would revert to
the Great Northern Paper Co. and
would detract much from the value of
the plant.
1t was voted not to appoint the COM
mittee, also to pass over the article
relating to purchase. The result oil
the vote when announced by the mod
orator wasA greeted with cheers by a
part of thsFvoters. After brief dis
cussion it was voted to pay the n.y.
drant rental, which became due July l
Just before the meeting adjourned
a letter was read from ]. S. Maxcy
stating that arrangements had been
completed to connect with the Arson
pipe line and asked permission of the
corporation to allow the original char
ter changed so that a water supply
could be taken from some other source
than the Kennebee river. 1t was vot-
ed as the sense % the meeting that the
company be allowed to do this.