Evening star., 1932-11-20
WATER RATE CUT
URGED BY BRADEN
Recommendation in Report
to County Board Would Mean
81 Saving Annually.
Rr a STAFF correspondent of The Star.

BY staff Correspondent OF The Star.
ARLINGTON COURT HOUSE, Va,
November 19-Substantial reductions in
both domestic and commercial water
rates are recommended in a detailed
report of the water department that
was submitted to the County Board
today by County Manager Roy S.
Braden. Discussion ON the report and
recommendation was deferred to a
special meeting to be held in the near
future.
On the domestic service, Braden
recommends that the minimum rate
per quarter. based upon consumption
of 10000 gallons, be reduced from So
to SIS, saving for the year to the con-
sumner of 81. UEder the recommends
ton the excess would be graduated in
cost as follows:
Saving for Excess Use.
First 10000 gallons excess, 80 cents
per 900 gallons; next 10000 gallons,
25 cents per 1000 gallons, and all over
that amount, % cents per 1000 gallons.
At the present time all excess is charged
at the rate of 80 cents per 1000 gallons,
hence the consumer would be oHered
The present commercial consumption
rate is 80 cents per 1000 gallons used.
Braden recommends that this be
changed to provide 80 cent charge for
the first 10000 gallons, 25 cents for the
next 10000 gallons, 20 cents for the
next $4,000 gallons and Is cents for all
over 10000 gallons.
Only places of business that pay a
State license, manufacturing plants and
apartment houses having more than
three housekeeping units would be en-
titled to the commercial rates.
Tapping Charge Unchanged.
The tapping charge would remain at
$40. as at present but the owner hav-
ing the meter installed would be given
the privilege of making an initial pay
ment of $40 and the balance in three
equal quarterly installments, with in
terest at per cent. The front footage
charge of 81 also would be unchanged,
but users would be permitted to make
payment in eight equal quarterly in
StallmentS, plus interest.
New water line extensions would be
made on the basis of one-half cash and
the balance in seven quarterly Install
ments, provided there Is enough 'front.'
age signed up TO take care of the cost
of the entire line. The maximum front
footage charge would be $780, regard
less of the amount of property abutting
on the line.
Penalty for Delinquency.
Among other recommendations made
Braden suggests that a penalty of SO
cents be added if bills are not paid on
or before the 18th of the month fol-
1OTr t1nS, Int. hot ina H,n
discontinued if all bills for services are
not paid within 80 days after the close
of the quarter for which the bills were
rendered; that bills be rendered to the
property owner rather than the tenant
that $4,000 quarter be set aside for
the water debt fund.- that the debt
fund be deposited where it will draw
the greatest interest; that all spigots
on fire hydrants be removed as of De-
cember 81, and that the ''stagger" sys-
tenn of sending out statements be In
effect after January l, 1888.
+ The County Board at its meeting to-
day again deferred action on the Stuart
and Head coming matters because Of the
absence of Mrs. Elizabeth B. Magruder
who is i'll These matters have been
highly controversial, and when action
was deferred at meeting last Mon
DAY, It had been announced that they
would be definitely settled today.
Ask Street Lights.
A request was received from M. C.
Humm for the installation of street
lights along the Military road from
Rosslyn to Fort Myer Humm called
attention to the fact that the military
authorities no longer maintain lights
along this road and that it is dangerous
because not policed either by the Fort
Myer authorities or the county. 1t was
stated that action is planned in this
matter. but a definite decision must
await action of the State Corporation
on the difference in the rates of the
Virginia Public Service Co. and the
Braddock Light & Power Co.
Board Member Lyman M. Kelly called
the attention of the board to the fact
that the county is not participating in
the Community Chest this year and
urged the Board of Public Welfare be
requested TO inaugurate an immediate
drive to divert the contributions of Ar
lington County residents to the local
welfare agency.