Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-11-28
ACTION
FOR MATAWAN
To Have Special Bill-Fight
by Borough Council Over
Bill of Attorney

MATAWAN, Nov. 2S:-Two i'm
portant discussions at the meeting
of the borough council last night
made this meeting of more than
ordinary interest. The first discus
sion consisted of whether or not the
borough should allow the Wickham
Company of New Jersey to attach
an inch water main from the main
running from the standpipe to the
pumping station for a proposed
sprinkler system and the second was
that in connection with the payment
of a bill submitted for services by
Borough Attorney Jacob r. V. Nj.
Lefferts.
Mr.. Wickham told of the advan-
tages to be gained by allowing the
plant to connect with the water
system. The main reason for not
deciding off-hand to allow the COM
pany to connect with the water main
seemed to be the fact that the COM
pany is located in the township.
Councilman George w. Parker of
the water committee pointed out the
danger of having two fires, one at
the Wickham plant and the other in
the borough at the same time and
the possibility that with the Wick
ham sprinkler system attached it
might reduce the pressure in the
mains to such an extent that the
borough could not fight the fire
| within the incorporate limits of the
town.
Members OF the council, with the
exception of Mayor William IL.
Sutphin, contended that as Mr.. Golf,
the borough engineer, had been re-
| quested TO report on the matter, 1t
would not be proper to take action
until mis- report was received. Mr..
Wickham pointed out that the long
er he mas to wait for an answer the
more the system will cost the firm
1t was finally decided to hold a spe-
cial meeting of the council at which
time the matter would be passed
upon.
A warm discussion took place owe
the bill submitted for services by
Attorney Lefferts, during which Mr..
Lefferts declared that when the bill
was found to be unsatisfactory in
stead of the councilmen on the
J finance committee taking the matter
| UP with him, they hal talked about
it all over town. The main item
" hich seemed to stick In TIE crop
Of the finance committee was that
in connection with work Mr. LeffCrts
had done in purchasing land for the
new $50, 900 gallon water storage
tank. Mr.. Lefferts went into detail
concerning the purchase of this
property and the trouble he had
been put to. He said he had been
authorized to purchase the property
for $500 or $500 but had bought it
for $215, thus saving money. Coun-
Gilman Fucker declared that in not
paying the bill the council was cast
ing reflections on the attorney and
Mr.. Lefferts said that he would moi
reduce the bill one cent and woulo
sue the borough il necessary. liz
also stated that if the council re
fused to pass the bill he would re
sign as borough attorney.
On motion of Councilman Parker
and with the consent of Mr.. Lefferti
the bill was laid on the table fol
further consideration and to bt
taken up and decided upon at thu
special meeting to be called at thu
order of the mayor. Mr.. Leffert'
has been instrumental in obtaining
many Improvements for the Dor.
ough, including the new lake.
Mayor Sutphin told of the wilt
ducks which have taken refuge OF
the new lake and declared that some
ordinance should be passed to pro
tect them here and not allow any.
one to shoot them. As part of TIL
lake is located in the township i
was suggested that the mayor ap
point a committee to take up n
matter with the township committee
and have n joint ordinance prepared
that will protect the game not onl!
while it is on that portion of. TIL
lake in the borough but also in thu
township.
Councilman Thompson was au
thorized to ascertain the cost o
auditing the %borough's books for tn
coming year.
The police department was in
structed to do traffic duty at the New
York e. Long Branch railroad sta
ton here in the evening when thu
commuters trains are arriving.
A communication was received
from George A. Johnson Co, New
York City, concerning the inspection
of the sewer system. The borough
decided that they would allow th'
inspection to continue as it is under
the contract.