Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-17
STATE HOUSE

crease OF one million gallons OF wa
ter used each day. This income has
run along and with the additional
takers, the district has been able
to do the things required under its
franchise. to pay the interest on the
loan ($2S.OO0 each year, and make
deposit on the sinking fund. The
loan which had been negotiated by
the district was 100000 when the
change was made in the source OF
supply. from the Kennebec river to
Carlton Pond.
The district has had many calls
to install new service, but has been
unable to meet these demands on
account OF lack OF funds. )
About two months ago the State
Health Department called attention
to the fact that the analysis showed
that the water was not absolutely
pure, and the district expended $10.-
600 to make the necessary changes
in its system. AS the result all the
trouble was overcome. But the
changes necessitated the borrowing
of $4,000 additional.
Requests for Service Extension
The collections are made by the
district the first day Of December
and the first day of June. Mr..
Macomber reported that Jan. 1 of
this year all the money that the dis
trict had on hand was $38,005. The
district has been asked to make ex-
tensions in various directions, petit
tons having been received from
Riverside Drive, the upper end OF
Cony street and Sewell street ex-
tension. taking in large section be-
tween Augusta and Hallowell. Wes-
tern avenue should be given more
service, as there are many vacant
lots there that will not be occupied
until water Is supplied.
Mr.. Macomber said that the only
way he knew of getting money to
meet these requests was by raising
the rates as proposed in the schedule
hied with the Commission. He stat
ed that he had made an investiga-
ton or the water rates in the diff
ferent cities in the State and finds
that the Augusta rates are lower
IMAM IN the majority of the NUM-
cipalittes, so that the additiona!
revenue asked for would not make
the Augusta rates out of line with
those OF other places When the
augusta Water District borrowed
the 100000 1t was the understand
Ing with the purchasers OF the bonds
that the district would not increase
ITS bonded indebtedness.
The proposed increase would nut
the rates back where they were
from 1885 to 1904. Notwithstandinp
this, the price of labor and supplies
has doubled since that time. The
district feels that 1t must make this
increase in rates In order to meet the
reasonable demands for water SER
vice. and hopes that these changes
In rates will bring an increase in
revenue from $4,000 to $4,000 DER
year. The officials of the district
win the exception of Wesley w. AL
Dee. the superintendent, do not re-
ceive any compensation. Mr.. Macon
Der pointed out. and the entire SAL
airy account for the employees is only
about $4,000 per year.
free Service to Augusta ~"
questioned by Frank j. McArdIe.
chief of rates and schedules of the
fublic Utilities Commission, Super
1ntendent Albee of the water district
stated that the only free water SER
vice given Is to the Augusta Y. ,M.
G. A. Water is furnished to the CITY
or Augusta under contract under
which the city pays about $1,000 a
year and furnishes an office for the
district. the value of this item be
ing estimated between $500 and 5000
a year. WV
In reply to a question by Chair
man {. e. Quincy of the Commits
sion. Mr.. Macomber said that he be-
lieved the only way to sell water is
by meter but that involves a great
initial expense.
Milton o. Dean, agent for the
Edwards Manufacturing Company,
stated that he hoped that the time
ior putting the new proposed rates
into effect would be delayed as long
as possible as the company which he
represents has a number of changes
TO make to eliminate expense on
water rates.
Chairman Quincy of the Commits
sion replied that the delaying of the
date would 'rIean a loss to the dis
trict. but as further investigation is
necessary on certain phases the
change could not be put into effect
right away.
State Makes Protest
Attorney General Ransford w.
Shaw stated that he had been re-
Quested to enter a protest in behalf
OF the Stata QrafDSt INV fucrooc ca In