Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-22
WATER BOARD
BOOSTS RATES
Under New Scale for Which
Ordinance Is Passed, $780,
600 Will Be Added.

The Board of Water Commission
ers last night passed on first reading
an ordinance increasing the water
rates in this city so that an increase
OF $4,000 annually over the presens
income from water rents Will Dc
forthcoming.
The ordinance follows:
An ordinance to amend an ordi-
nance entitled IAN ordinance establish
ing water regulations and rates
Be II ordained by the Board OF
Water Commissioners of the city OF
Perth Amboy. New Jersey, that an or
dinance establishing water regulations
and rates, passed and approved Feo-
ruary Gath, 1904, and amended sep
tember 18th, 1907, and amended April
22nd. 1909. and amended October loth,
1912, and amended July 1st. 1917, and
amended October 1st, 1918, ana
amended October list, 1919, be amend
ed to read as follows:
Section Sc. Whenever meter shall
have been installed to measure the
quantity of water consumed the sched-
ule of rates shall be as follows:
Meter rates per 1000 gallons: When
the quantity consumed shall average
less than 100000 gallons per day the
ate will be thirteen and one-thirteenth
per thousand.
100000 and less than 10000 sAl-
Ions per day, twelve cents per thous-
and. 100000 and less than 100000
gallons per day, eleven cents per
thousand 100000 and less than S00,-
900 gallons per day, ten cents per
thousand. 100000 and less than l.
100000 gallons per day, nine cents per
thousand. 1000, 900 and less than l.
100000 gallons per day. eight cents
per thousand. 100000 or over gal
Ions per day seven cents per thousand.
Provided that in no case where a
meter is installed shall the quarterly
charge be less than $500.
All services shall be metered. and
section 81 shall be repealed with the
exception of the last clause concern
ing claims for deductions.
All the above meter rates are pay
able at the Office of the collector OF
revenue quarterly, and II not PAID
within thirty days thereafter. interest
at the rate of six per cent. per year
will be added until the bill is paid.
II not paid within three months. water
will be shut off and not turned on
again except on the payment of ar
rears with interest to date of pay
ment and fee of 81. Bills may be
paid monthly at the direction OF the
board
This amendment to take effect June
1st, 1920.
The water rates now in effect were
they being a reduction of what the
charges had been prior to that time.
On September 4, of last year, the
water rates were lowered to such
an extent that the amount of rents
paid annually by residents here was
decreased by $4,000. Now the new
rates, which will go into effect on
June /. call for an increase of $4,000
annually from water rates or an ae-
tuaI increase of s2S.000 over the an
nual income resulting from the rates
which were being charged up till Oc-
tober /, last year, when the board
decided to lower them. This increase
has been made necessary in order to
pay the interest on the cost of the res
ervoir construction.
The minimum quarterly charge at
present Is $2.25, II having been re-
duced from $3.50 last October The
new price starting June l will be SO
quarterly or 312 per year, an increase
of 81 annually over the present rates,
which are considered among the low
est charged in the state. The mini
mum price for water under the new
ly adopted rates will be seven cents
per thousand gallons to consumers
using 100000 gallons or over daily,
whereas under the present rates this
price is also the lowest being given
to all consumers using over 100000
gallons daily.
The Western Improvement Associa-
tion had before the Water Commits
sioners last night a communication
telling of the need of water mains
In Compton avenue, west of Convery
place. and in other streets dn thai
section of the city. The matter was
referred to the superintendent and
pipe committee to investigate and re-
port back.
The commissioners were informed
that extensive improvements needed
on the water departments buildings
in King street would result In the
expenditure of at least $4,000. AS
the Board of Aldermen have discour-
aged the idea of replacing the present
structures with new buildings. the
Water Board will bring the matter
to the attention of the City Fathers
again before going ahead with repairs
to the buildings.
Commissioner Charles A. handbook
Chauncey c. Baldwin. Frank Stas
and Harry Conard were present at
the meeting. Commissioner Harry r.
Wilson being confined to his home with
Illness