Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-08-14
water And Sewer Charges Defended

The recent increase in water and sewer
rates in suburban towns bordering the
District line was defended by 7. Howard
Duckett, chairman Of the Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commission. at a mass
meeting Of residents Of Tamoma Park. Nd.
last week. held In the Takoma Presbyte-
risn Church. He explained the operations
OF the commission and the necessity for
the increase. The meeting was under the
auspices Of the Takoma Park Citizens
Association and the Takoma Park Com
munity League DR.. Guy Clinton. president
Of the former organization. opened the
meeting and introduced Charles r. Stark,
president Of the Community League. who
presided Howard S. Fisk was elected
secretary.
Mr.. Duckett spoke Of the publicity which
had been given the increases and stated
no requests had been made Of the commits
sion for an explanation or hearing until
invited by the residents Of Takoma Park.
He emphasized that the Washington Sub
urban Sanitary Commission is not a semi
private organization. as many believe. but
a State corporation, controlled. directed
and guided entirely by the acts passed by
the Maryland Legislature. He ampliied
that the commission was not operated for
profit, but for the benefit Of the taxpayers.
During the past six years he said the
commissin had constructed ITO miles Of
water and sewer lines. The bonds out
standing on July totaled $4.650. 900. all
OF which amount. with the exception Of
between 100000 and 100000. has
been expended for water and sewer lines.
The annual charges for carrying on the
activities Of the commission amount 10
$225. 900. which must be met annually
by the commission. This money. he con-
tinued. must be collected either by in
creasins the tax rate or by direct charge
on the front foot basis. against abutting
property on the systems lines The ire
mendous growth Of the suburban commu-
mites necessitates expansion Of the sys-
TENS, the speaker added.
He stated that the reservoir at Hyatts-
vile. by the way Of example. had maxi
mum capacity Of 100000 gallons per-
day and that one day in June the town
consumed 1888 900 gallons, which brought
the commission to the realization that
prompt measures should be taken to aug
ment the supply. To prevent a water
shortage. new trunk lines have been and
are being constructed. A reinforced main
was connected up with Takoma Park and
is now part Of the general system and
win carry 100000 gallons daily The
commission has recently completed reser-
voir Of 475.000 gallons at Alta Vista,
while trunk lines will be constructed from
Burnt Mills to the Brookeville pike to Chevy
Chase and vicinity The Sligo, Takoma
Park and Silver Spring trunk lines cos,
more than originally estimated by reason
Of large amount Of rock encountered al
Burnt Mills 1t was. therefore. with view
10 bringing the entire system up to point
Of safety and at the same time give ade.
quate facilities to water users that these
additional expenditures. amounting tC
more than 100000. have been made,
Chairman Duckett answered question,
In detail. He said the taxpayers would fine
that none Of those affected by the increase
would pay more than IS per month which
he considered fair charge for water ant
sewer service. This rate. he said would no
increase as time went on, but. on the con
trary, with completion Of the present pro
gram. which would take care of the needs o
the communities for several years to come
would in all probability be decreased slight
ly. Present increase In water rates, 1t wa
stated. was about 80 per cent. The none,
to be provided by the new assessment, h,
continued, will take care OF the presen
outstanding bonds. adding that the com
mission did not intend to expend an,
money on projects outside Of the suburban
district.
A vote Of thanks was extended to MI
Duckett.