Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-02-03
AMEND WATER
RATE ACTION
Opposition to Proposed Scale
of Prices is Expressed by
Board of Aldermen.
MEETING LAST NIGHT
Action Was Caused by Pro-
tests Raised by People -
New Rates to be Adopted
MEETING LAST NIGH

AS a result OF opposition to the
| present water rates expressed by
members of the Board of Aldermen,
who in turn had been appealed to
by house owners iii this city, the
Board of Water Commissioners last
night unanimously passed on first
reading an ordinance amending the
water rates in effect since Jan. 1.
The new rates will call for a min
imum charge of SO per quarter for
1900 cubic feet of water or less
with charge of fifteen cents for
every hundred feet over that
amount. The present rates are 81
| per quarter. but the maximum
for this sum is only 500 cubic feet.
Although there is an increase OF one
dollar a quarter. or four dollars a
year in the fiat rate. it is estimated
that most of the houses consume
more than 500 cubic feet. Accord
ing to Clerk William Cornellson of
the water board the average con-
sumption is 1900 feet per quarter.
this figure having been arrived at
after going through the depart
ment's books and the quarterly con-
sumption of the $500 customers
computed.
With the average consumption IN
house amounting to 1900 cubic
feet of water a quarter, it can be
seen that but few secured the mini
NUN rate of 81 now in effect, as
that applied only tc places rising
less than 500 CUBIC feet. As these
consumers were obliged to pay at
the rate of fifteen cents per 100 cubic
feet for all over 500 cubic feet, their
bills amount to as much as or more
than the suggested minimum of S3
per quarter. Many suggestions were
made and discussed by the aldermen
and water commissioners before the
| amendment was finally adopted on
first reading.
Superintendent Samuel ]. Mason
announced that he figured the de-
partment would lose about $4,000 in
anticipated receipts as a result o.
the new rates being enforced.
Another matter brought before
the commissioners at the meeting
of the aldermen last night was the
fact that although the new water
rates went into effect Jan. l bills
sent out the first of this month for
the months of Novemb Der. December
and January charged the new rate
for all three months instead of for
January alone. Although no action
was taken in rectifying this matter.
it Is believed that a reduction will
be made on these bills. as November
and December bills should have been
made out under the old rates.
Aldsrman-atLarge John n.
Wester who presented the case for
thu a aIdarnlan NJ n1 hat h.
old minimum rate of SO a quarter
was for maximum consumption of
5000 cubic feet, prior to January l.
whereas at present, although the
minimum rate was reduced to SO a
quarter, the amount which could be
consumed for that sum was only
one sixth rs large-namely, 500
cubic feet. The new rates. Mr.. Wes-
ter said, are in most cases from 20
per cent to 100 per cent more for
the small consumers than before
the first of the year. Mr.. Wester
asserted that it was not the under
standing of the aldermen when the
reservoir proposition was discussed
some time ago that the water rate
would take such jump. He said
the large industrial concerns are
now cut to a nine cent minimum as
against a former twelve cent rate
but the smaller consumer has his
bill increased. THE bills are dis
satisfactory and entirely too much"
Mr.. Wester said, land should be
regulated"
Alderman Christian Andersen
said that discussion of the propos-
ed rates prior to erecting the reser-
voir had brought out the suggestion
of $40 annaul minimum by the
aldermen hf1f the ie.
sioner said that s12 minimum.
annually, would be sufficient to
meet the interest on the reservoir
bonds.
Superintendent Samuel j. Mason
was asked as to the minimum
charges in other towns and the max
imum amount of water allowed for
these rates. He quoted several
rates. in which Matawan was high
and Newark was low.
Alderman John ]. Clark declared
that the rate paid in other cities
should not affect Perth Amboy in
water at the lowest margin of prof
it," the alderman said.
Alderman John Sofeld said the
maximum amount of water which
could be consumed al the minimum
rate should be raised. as the people
were not getting enough water for
their money under the present rates.
Superintendent Mason. in explain
ing that the cheapest rate allowed
% any factory is nine cents. pointed
out that their rates had been in
creased one-third. so that their rates
also are high. The cost TO the city
to deliver this water is six cents, he
said.