Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-14

butlOn system cost should be charged
to fire protection?
Is. Shall the water department pay
city taxes?
16. Shall the water department pay
rent for Office in City hall and other
buildings?
Answer.
We believe the answers to these
the general statement and in the an
swers to Nos. and 2. We do not see
why the water department should pay
taxes, or make a charge to cover such
an item, unless it is reflected in a less
ened charge for return on investment
II. In the near future extensive re-
pairs and renewals at the power plant
will be necessary. How shall the funds
be raised?
| Answer.
Should be provided for in deprecia-
ton account, as indicated in general
statement the municipalities share of
the burden being met as it elects.
Is. Who shall be the custodian of
the sinking fund?
Answer.
This is to be determined by your
local authorities.
10. Is the Water Board subject to
the orders of the Council or the Utili-
ties Commission?
| Answer.
So far as the provisions Of the Pub
lie Utilities act are concerned, the
Public Utilities Commission has juris-
diction over the municipal water plant
and those charged with it's operation.
This commissions jurisdiction extends
particularly to rates and accounting,
adequacy Of service and purity of sup
ply, questions of discrimination, and
the issue of securities wherever they
are made a charge upon the property
devoted to water supply.
20. Should bills DE sent to consum
ers?
| Answer.
We believe it wise, although it must
be governed somewhat by other fac
tors. 1t is a matter for the local board
to determine.
81. Should not the cost of valuation
be charged to capital account?
Answer.
No. This is an operating charge.
like the merchants stocktaking. If it
is a large and unusual expense, it may
be carried as a suspense account to be
charged off from earnings over a rea-
sonable time, but it cannot be capital
lied.
o. Is it allowable for a municipal
plant to charge for going value"
Answer.
We think that as applied to NUM-
cipal plant the presumption should be
- - ,ot n
say that conditions might not exist
which would justify it.
20. Should a charge be made for
turning on a service?
Answer.
Broadly speaking, everything done
should be charged to the person for
whom it is done. We do not think,
however, that it would be unlawful or
improper under our act to make no
lspecific charge for the first turning on,
because substantially the same service
is rendered to all. The consumers
should pay the cost Of subsequent cas-
es, because there can be no uniformity
in the amount of this service.
"a. Is it allowable to turn off water
for non payment Of bill? If so, what
time should be allowed before the wa
ter is turned off?
Answer.
The Water Board should adopt rea-
sonable regulations covering this to
protect the city and other users. and
publish it with it's schedules Of rates.
25. At times the water is ordered
turned off from vacant tenements and
ordered on again within a few, days.
Shall any deduction for the time Off be
made?
Answer.
The local authorities should make a
definite rule covering mon occupancy
deductions" and publish it with it's
schedule of rates.
/ 2s. Is sliding scale" for meter
rate allowable?
Answer.
Yes, but care should be taken that
the deduction for the larger user is
not excessive. He is not entitled to a
reduction simply because he is a large
user. The difference should represent
the difference in the cost of service,
taking both readiness to- serve and
strict operating charges into considera-
ltion.
4 q. Is minimum meter rate per-
United?
Answer.
Yes.