Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-10-16
AWARD SEWER
CONTRACT HERE
Detroit Concern Will Lay
Trunk Sewer at Cost in
Excess of $530,000
HEATED DISCUSSION
Alderman Clark DenounceS
Methods of AIdermen--C
Attorney WiIentz Answers

Hammer e Company, a Detroit
construction concern, was last night
awarded the contract for the build
ing of the new trunk sewer which is
a part of the grade crossing elimi-
nation work in this city. All of the
aldermen present voted in favor of
the resolution but not until a heated
discussion had taken place in which
Alderman Clark played the leading
part, City Attorney Wilentz speaking
in defense of the board members
and City Engineer Booz. The trunk
sewer will cost in the neighborhood
of $532,000 exclusive of engineering
fees and what already has been
spent in preparing specifications and
advertising for bids.
Alderman Clark made his first re-
marks relative to financial condi-
tions resulting from the trunk sew
er work when an ordinance was in
trodueed authorizing the issuance of
$560,000 worth of temporary inn
provement bonds to pay the cost of
laying the sewer. The fifth ward al
dernan pointed out that the former
ordinance, which appropriated
100000 to cover the cost of con-
structing the trunk sewer was also
intended to allow 100000 to pay
for the repair of the streets which
mus be opened up as a result of the
sewer job and the actual elimina-
ton of the grade crossings. The
city engineers statement as to the
trunk sewer was $4,000 Alderman
Clark said and the remaining $780,
900 was to pay the cost of street re-
pair
pao1ie Gfo fa ac
lowe by almost 100000 than the
lowest bid for the sewer job re-
ceived by the aldermen. Alderman
ClarF said, showing poor judgment
on the part of the city engineer in
arri9ing at an estimate. The new
ordinance, according to Mr.. Clark,
covers only the cost of the sewer
aAd makes no provision for repair
of the streets IF we could we should
make provision for the whole thing
Alderman Clark said. There isl
much work not included and it
behooves us to take notice that this
is not the final levy to be made for
this job All voted in favor of the
ordinance passing on first reading.
AS soon as the ordinance had been +,
passed City Attorney WilentZ asked |
permission to say few words. He |
informed the board members that he |
had assisted the city engineer in Sc
curing estimates on the probable |
cost of the sewer. "The senator from |
Middlesex," the city attorney said,
referring to former City Engineer
Morgan f. Larson, was questioned |
as to what he thought a fair estimate |
and he said the estimate reached |
was sufficient to cover the construc-
tion cost" Mr.. Wilentz explained
that no allowance was made ia the
ordinance for street repairs as there
was not sufficient funds available to
cover this additional expense at this
time. 1--WE were fortunate to find
means of taking care of the sewer
part of the program" the city attor-
ney said.
The resolution awarding the con-
tract to the Detroit concern was then
introduced. Under the heading of
remarks Alderman Clark again took
the floor.
Have the necessary rights of way
for this sewer been secured? he
asked.
"I think they have" Chairman
Calvin replied
Are you positive?" insisted the
fifth ward alderman
"I think the Central railroad has
cor sented to our procuring the right
of way" Mr. Calvin replied, "and we
have the Lehigh Valley case before
the utility board for settlement. If
that railroad company does not grant |
us the right of way we still have !
time to condemn"
"The city is endeavoring to secure |
the necessary riparian rights at the |
foot of Second street and this matter (
is now in the hands of w. Parker
Runyon, of this city, who is men, |
ber of the State Board of Commerce |
and Navigation. The alderman from |
the fifth brings up these matters in
a manner which would lead the un- !
knowing to believe the board has |
never considered them before. These
questions could have been easily an
swered in committee session instead |
of bringing them out at this time"
the city attorney said in conclusion.
Continued on Page p
Announcing the new Dodge Brothers
Sport Model. Frank Van Syckle.