New Britain herald., 1924-02-08
NEW WATER RATES
 UP FOR DISPOSAL
Hatch Tells Finance Board of
 Need for More Revenue

Chairman W. L. Hatch and mem- bers of the water board explained the proposed service charge and increas- cd water rates which they proposed to make effective next year when they appeared before the board of finance and taxation last night to submit their budget
 Their estimates of expenses run to $i90,950 and they want an additional sl0o.000 to improve the distribution service. Their income, figured on the old water rates and without service charge is s176,000.
 \ slight increase in rates is urged. The greater part of the increase will come in the meter or service charge. MT. Hatch told the board that meters cost s5.S3 per year for care and read ing, while about 12,000 users pay only the s5 minimum. The city &C., tually loses money in these instances. If a. So meter charge was made effec- tive, these users, who now take about s3 worth of water, would be paying SIS a year instead of $5. The meter charge varies from $5 for the at inch meter to sl50 for an eight-inch meter.
 Meter charges have the approval of the National Water Works association and the New England Water Works association, both of which have con- ducted Investigations.
 Explaining that the electrical power and telephone companies make serv- ice charges Commissioner F. A. Searle said he felt the water boards proposal was an equitable one placing the charges where they belong.
 Mir. Hall wanted to know why fac- tories are allowed so many meters. the aggregate of three local concerns be- ing 90 meters. Water Commissioner Pelton said meters were installed un- der the old system whenever they were asked for. but he felt that the meter charge will do much to curb this practice. In many instances the city runs main through the factory yard and has a hydrant for five serv- ice. Water used in lighting fires is not metered. Tho plant takes it's service off this mair and at every point where service is taken it is necessary to place q meter.
 Finance Commissioner kehoe felt that the water department should be allowed to charge other departments for service in the same way that oth- CT departments charge the water board. He called attention to the ac- ton of n former mayor in drawing water funds to buy a storehouse for the public works board. Because of the free water, there Is not a single city department that gives an honest report of it's conditions, hc charged.
 Chairman w. r. AIangan and Su- perintcndent W. C. Cowlishaw pre- sented tho charity boards estimates, calling for sS3,036, which is s2.060 less than this year, a saving having been effected fin the "outside poor item which leads the board to believe that so large an amount will not be needed in that fund next year. The | department saved s7,000 this year and ! will turn it back to the general fund. | This board has already had refunds amounting to about 5000 which have | reverted back to the city treasury. | Regular expenses of the department | will be about the same as this year. |
 The budget of New Britain Institute i presented by Treasurer r. s. Cham | 3erlain, is as follows:
 Building. sl,0OO; light, sl,Ooo: in- surance, $500; heat, s1,sOO; postage. | printing. etc, s75o; salaries. s1S.175: | furniture. s400; periodicals, $500; ! books, s12.000 (s2,000 increaseD; i binding, S2,500; miscellaneous, s350; ! museum. 1000. Total, s39,S75.
 The estimated income of ss,S75, is . expected from the following sources: I General fund tbalance) s3,000: Wood- | ruff fund. s450; Miller fund, s4.000; | Hart fund. s700; fines, s70O. |