The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-09-01
Council at GAINESVILLE Actuafed
By Spirit Of Progress
WHAT Being DONE There
Insanitary Conditions Have
Been Cause of Litigation;
Future Prospects
from Mondays Daily.

Actuateu Dy SplrlC OF progress,
the council in the village of James
vile, proceeding under the laws of
1915, Chapter 35, will endeavor to
install in that community a sewer
system. Plans for the proposed sys-
tenn have been drawn by Frederick
Bass, consulting engineer of the state
board of health, and it is hoped to
receive bids for carrying out this
work on Thursday of this week, pro-
vided that Judge Arthur Childress of
the district court does not issue a
permanent injunction restraining the
council from carrying out its pro-
greSsive purpose.
Several citizens of GAINESVILLE
have instituted this litigation for the
purpose of preventing the council
from going ahead with the enter
prise. The hearing will be held be-
fore Judge Arthur Childress at -Owa-
tonna on Wednesday of this week.
1t is understood that the majority
of business men and property own
ers of GAINESVILLE are in favor of this
needed improvement.
The proposed sewer system has
been matter of discussion in the
village for some time, and the coun-
Gil has not acted hastily in the mat
ter. The suggested improvement has
received the sanction of the state
board of health after a conference
with that body had been held.
Finances of Village.
The village is not bad off finan-
cially. In fact, it is in prosper
Gus condition and the majority of
people there feel that the improve
ment should be pushed rapidly to
completion. The village has a
bonded Indebtedness of about $1S,-
600. This is in payment for the wat
er works system and street paving.
The white way of four blacks was
paid for by private subscription and
cost 5000. The money did not come
out of the village fund. There are
no village warrants outstanding. The
real and personal valuation of the
village is $3,5OO,0O0.
System Is Needed.
That the sewer system is needed
and is in line with all up date and
modern village methods is evidenced
by the litigation that is now pend
ing against the village because Of
insanitary conditions. 1t has cost the
village of GAINESVILLE $1,000 because
of this unsatisfactory state of af-
fairs. More litigation will be insti-
tuted, so it is understood. In view
of this impending trouble the coun-
Gil decided to put in the sewer sys-
tenn and eliminate litigation.
The village has a population of
about 1900 About $4,000 is re-
quired to operate the public school
and about $4,000 to handle the af-
fairs of the village. Tax rate last
year was thirty eight mills.
If the sewer system is built it is
proposed to assess the adjoining
property to pay for it and sewer
warrants will be issued as provided
by Chapter S5.
What Plans Call For.
The plans call for sanitary sew
er system at an estimated cost Of
5000 and storm sewer at $4,000.
However, the council has not yet
decided how much territory will be
covered. That will be decided on
Thursday morning after the bids
have been received. The bids win
be submitted on the basis of so much
per foot and this will guide the coun-
Gil as to the number of feet of sew
er that will be constructed.
GAINESVILLE is one of the most pro-
gressive villages in Southern Mime
sofa. 1t is equipped with a hand
some white way a, well equipped wat
er system and many handsome resi-
dences and substantial appearing
business houses. The progressive
element in GAINESVILLE is very much
in favor of the sewer system.
AS stated, the council at GAINESVILLE
is proceeding with the proposed i'm
provement under the laws of 1915,
which gives the villages of the James
vile class the power to construct
sewers.
The INDUCTION proceedings will be
fought to a finish, able counsel having
been employed by the village.