The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1919-08-15
COUNCIL GRANTS
SALARY INCREASE
BUT 1T IS ONLY TO
EMPLOYEES OF WATERWORKS
Start Legislation to Obtain Funds
Necessary to Pave North End
of Court Street.

Complying with request made them
by the Board of Public Affairs, Council
at it's regular meeting Monday night
passed an ordinance authorizing a
substantial increase in the salaries
of the three men employed at the
water works. The wages of the first
and second engineer were formerly
500 and $50 month respectively.
When Engineer Freeman broke his
leg last year no substitute could be
found who would accept the job at
these wages. Consequently Lee
Neal was hired at salary of $100
and Verne Horton, who is tinst engi-
neer, also was paid a like amount.
These raises, however, could not law
fully be made without council passing
an ordinance, which was done at
Tuesdays meeting, and a copy of
which appears elsewhere in this issue.
The new ordinance calls for scale
Of $125 per month for the first engi-
neer, While the second engineer will
receive $lI5. Superintendent Fretter
also got boost to $170 month, $45
of which is paid by council and the re-
mainder out OF funds of the water
works. The old rate paid him was
$100 from the waterworks board and
$35 from the village.
W. c. Smith, representing the board
Of public affairs, was present at the
meeting and stated that the salary in
creases would not necessitate
raise in water rents. He further in
timated that within the next year it
would be possible to reduce the pres
ent rate charged for water at least
one-third if the board so desired. Mr..
Smith also explained the boards ac-
ton in continuing Mr.. Freeman on
the payroll at $50 per month, stating
that the members considered this
method the easiest way out of situ-
alton which might otherwise involve
litigation.
Council then discussed the paving
of North Court street from Union
street north to the corporation line.
The original estimate called for a
pavement 38 feet requiring an expen-
diture Of approximately $4,000. Of
this sum the railroad company's share
would be about $4,000, while the coun-
ty commissioners have agreed to do
nate $4,000. This would leave, in
round figures, $4,000 to be raised by
the village and abutting property
owners.
On $3.50 basis the property own
ers would be called upon for $11, 900
which, according to the solicitor, is in
excess of what can legally be levied,
as the law limits the amount ASSESS
able to one-third of the valuation of
the property to be assessed.
After consulting the engineer it
was found that the total cost could be
reduced about tenth if the pave
ment was narrowed to 32 feet, and at
the same time hold the property as
sessment within the limit allowed by
law. A 32-foot pavement would allow
about 1012 feet leway between a car
and the curb, which is sufficient as
truck bodies on even the largest We
hicles seldom measure more than
nine feet.
The solicitor was accordingly in
structed to draw up an assessment
ordinance on the basis of a 32-foot
pavement, which will enable the vii
lage to issue notes in anticipation of
the collection of special assessments
on this strip. The ordinance will be
passed at a special session next Mon
day night.
The question of obtaining a carload
of government food supplies for Me-
dina was brought up, but as it will
be possible for individuals to order by
parcel post after August 18, the mat
ter was dropped without any action
being taken.
The paving of North Court street
proper was not discussed at the meet
ing, members of council having ap-
parently given up hopes of getting the
work done this year, although Con-
tractor Kellogg stated he had loaded
his long-looked-for steam shovel on a
! car at Akron and was expecting it
any day.