New Britain herald., 1928-04-18
PainuiM Me,ps
WILL INVESTIGATE
 MUNICIPAL WATER
Committee to Look Into Town
 Purchase Of Company
WATER RENTALS RAISED

WATER RENTALS RAISED
 Recommendations of Committee Ap-
 pro.cd-Iincl for Putting Pie in
 Mail Rox-Gransc Nectins-War on Headlight Law ViolatOrs. The first step looking toward the
 purchase of the Plainville Water Co.
 by the town and the establishment
 of municipally owned plant was
 taken last night at a special town meeting in the high school when 1t was voted to authorize the appoint ment of a committee of seven 10 in vestigate the matter and report back at q future town meeting. This action came as a surprise climax 10 a meet l ing called to act upon recommenda- tons of another committee with re- gard to an increase of water rentals, | following imediately upon accept ance of the recommendations of the committee. Frank J. O'Bricn, school l committccan, made the motion i which authorized the new commit 1 tee, and it seems possible that the work of former First Selectman r. J. | Prior a5 years ago may be resumed and the water company purchased | by the town. Mir. Prior conducted q [ Snrh ctcn hack l in tho carly 100's, but his plan was 1 downcd and the project has never | been completely brought out into the | light of official action again until 1 last night.
 The usual procedure of voting one way, reconsidering, and then voting just the opposite way did not quite go through last night. The original 1 motion. quite charactcrlstically. for 1 rejection of the recommendation 1 but this was within just before the vote upon it and then acceptance | followed.
 l First .Solcctman James Simpson | called the meeting to order after which, Of course. Stanley $. Gwil- linn was appointed chairman Town Clerk William II. Wilson read the | call to the 60 persons present,
 Committee Reports
 Attorney Cornelius Prior. spokes- man for the Investigating committee appointed last month, made that boIy's report The committee had considered only whether the com pany'S income were adequate 10 cover maintenance costs, provide o. reserve fund, prepare for emergen- cies and allow q fair return to those Financially interested. He commend cd as a courtesy the action of the company in bringing the matter be- fore the town instead of going di- T, ctly before the public utilities com- mission.
 The capital stock of the company is $76.000. he said, and there are 960 consumers The continued growth of the town requires expanding mains, while the reservoir is adequate for present needs only. This situation led to the hook-up with New Britain. a desirable but expensive" action according to the report. The heavy expense and need of expansion re- duire an enlarged income, Attorney Prior said. the increase in expenses being $7.637.l2 year since the hook-up.
 Plainvillc alone had been consid- cred by the committee. the spokcs- man explained. as comparisons were not deemed equitable. At the con- clusion he recommended an increase Of rates and read q suggested schedule. which was tho same as that published in Saturdays Herald. Joseph Mccarthy moved acceptance of the report and F. r. Bcnzon sec onded.
 Replying to a question, Mir. Prior said the company's income for the past four years had been seven per cent on it's capital stock. Joseph Dimes made the accusation that the company hadn't given the town anything" and asked for town own- ership. Mir. Prior answered that his committee had been given no authority to consider municipal pos- session.
 "The minimum charge is of the most interest,"" declared Harry o. Rex. ''as this is the charge paid by the majority of consumers" He de- ' clarcd the former charge of SIS was ample and that the new one was too high. We are interested in the small consumer" Mir. Prior rebutted. but | the vital thing is to obtain water and not to ieopardizc the supply"
 Henry s. Washburn, upon being | informed by the chairman that the | motion was merely for acceptance l of the report. commented the com- mittec and called for the question. | The report was accepted unanimous ly.
 Disapproval Moved
 Mir. Rex thereupon moved disap- proval Of the recommendations con- l tained therein.
 Tt seems We arc starting all back wards again. Mir. Washburn la