New Britain herald., 1918-04-27
Town Topics

The plan OF the water department.
presented TO the common council and
at present under consideration. for
the development of the Burlington
water supply is an item that should
De Of vital interest to every taxpayer.
Not only because it involves the ex-
pendlture Of an enormous sum of
money, about 1925, 600 which they
must ultimately pay. but also because,
II might be said. a city is no better
than its water supply. In other
words, an adequate supply Of water
IS essential for the maintenance OF
any city. No one doubts that the
burlington water supply must ulti-
| matcly be Developed; the only ques-
ton between SOME members of the
council and the water board is wheth-
! cr this is the proper time TO do the
work. The water board feels that
there should be no delay. while some
others feel that in view of existing
conditions 81 delay is advisa BILE. Tax
payers should be Informed on this
important subject. for in the final
analySis It is they who Will pay.
n few D""Cjn"nt facts in connection
With IL" Water department might be
Illuminating 10 some readers. Under
the head Of mill damages and water
rights the water department states
that there arc seven water powers on
the stream which it is proposed to
divert including those on the Farm
inGton river and only one the first on
the brook, has been purchased. Thus
far mill damages from the place Of
the proposed dam up stream have
been secured. while only one has been
secured below. AS a comparison for
n 1,tn
water privileges on the old Wolcott
brook which it cost $3s, 935.32 to set
tie. Of these the highest amount
paid was $1,315 and the lowest was
$685. on the Burlington brook
No. I seven privileges cost the city
$4,000, of which the highest was
$11,50o and the lowest was $4,000.
There were also several small mill
privileges which were satisfactorily
adjusted by the purchase Of the nee
cssary land.
For further comparison and to re-
fresh the memory regarding previous
improvern entS in the city's water sup
ply the following figures have been
secured:
Wolcott land water rights. s pipe
line, intake and reservoir complete,
S32S, Burlington water rights,
-
service reservoir. pipe lines. .$72,S26.-
A; raising dam at Shuttle Meadow
lake, $25 7&3.7S: relaying center of
city with larger mains, $96,745.19.
land and buildings fol Improvements
at Shuttle Meadow. 56.O29.00; land
and buildings at Burlington, $780,
45f.7G.
From financial point of view
ports show that the water rent re-
ceints from 1894 to 1917, inclusive,
were $2.t67,304.42, while the income
from other sources was $9S.S41.2
more. In addition $4,000 worth Of
bonds were issued. making a grand
total of 1924 351.69 During these
years S694, was paid out in in
tercst. S263,754.29 was paid in the
sinking fund; $4,000 in bonds: SAC
230 in redeemed notes. In addition
to that 5000 600 worth of bonds will
be redeemed this August, which
leaves $41.3S615 In the sinking fund
after the payment of the above am
cunt At the present time the net
debt less the amount in the sinking
fund. is &A33.6 1885. With tho 5000
600 deducted from the present in
dohtcdneas the amount would he
S975.OO0.
The water receipts in 1898 We're
34,696.72. In 1917, they were S152.-
100.17. an increase in "a years OF
$111.4O3.45. The amount paid for
interest," sinking fund, redemption OF
bonds and notes, in this period
ounted to S1,175,106.71, leaving So
066, 244.9& for construction. repairs,
relay meters, purchase of land and
buildings, salaries and other items Of
expense.