The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-07-20
Council Passes Ordinance
Calling For New
Equipment
EXPECTED TO EFFECT
SAVING ON FUEL BILLS
New Machinery Will Cost Ci-
ty Approximately
$4,000

The city waterworks Is to be equip
ped with up.tO-date machinery as soon
as possible, according to a decision
reached by the city council at a spec
ial recessed meeting held Monday
night, at which time an ordinance
was introduced, carried through three
readings under suspension of the
rules and passed authorizing the di
contract for the purchase of an cleo
| trio pump and the proper motor and
other machinery necessary to oper-
ate pump of this sort.
This ordinance provides for the eX-
penditure OF approximately $4,000, ac-
cording to estimates given out by diff
ferent members of the council. 1t is
said that the electric pump will cost
approximately $1,100 and the motor to
run it is expected to cost about $500,
while the remainder of the appurten.
ance necessary to put the machinery
in operation at the maximum of effic
iency will probably cost between eight
and nine hundred dollars.
1t is confidently expected, however,
that this expenditure of money will
be warranted by the saving in power
now used in pumping the supply of
water for the city and in salaries of
employees necessary under the present
! system that will not be necessary with
an automatic electric pumping appa-
ratus.
Estimates furnished by A. ]. Darrah,
representing the Ohio Light & Power
Co., to the council last night point to
the probability that the motive pow
er for the pump will probably cost not
over $500 the month, while 1t is said
that this estimate may prove to be
high. With coal at even a lower price
than it has been during the last year,
this would mean saving in fuel bills
the city officials say.
The proposition of installing cleo
trio power and machinery at the mu-
nicipal power house has been consid-
cred by the council for several weeks
and the plan has been studied from ev-
cry conceivable angle before the or.
dinance was presented. The ordi-
nance was passed as an emergency
measure, it being represented that the
present equipment at the power house
is inadequate for the purpose of pro-
viding the proper water supply for
the needs of the citizens and also ade-
quate fire protection.
Mr.. Darrah, speaking before the
council Monday night, pointed out that
as the installation of water meters
proceeds, the power bill will be re-
duced, owing to the fact that eXOrbi-
tant drain on the water supply now
occurring through the reckless waste
of water and carelessness on the part
of the consumer will be to "a great
extent eliminated, thus necessitating
less effort to keep the supply up to
the proper amount,
The ordinance was passed by n
unanimous vote of the councilmen,
all voting favorably with the excep-
| ton of Councilman Brentlinger, who
Is absent from the city on his vaca.
tion. A motion was presented by
Councilman Weaver stipulating that
the service directors contract with
the electric company should be made
Tor one year with the privilege of
longer period in case the new equip
ment proves satisfactory. The motion
was seconded by Councilman Pfouts
and carried.
An ordinance was also passed at
the special meeting Monday night pro-
viding for increased salaries for GER
tain OF the city's employees in the SER
vice department This ordnance pro-
vides for II salary of $3.50 per day for
inspectors, craftsmen and others, with
the provision that at the end of 81
working days an increase of 81 the day
will be granted. In the same manner,
rodmen, axmen and chainmen will
receive $3.50 per day and an increase
of 81 at the end of 21 working days.