The Wrangell sentinel., 1935-05-03
DIFFERS ACTION ON MANY
 CITY MATTERS UNTIL BUDGET IS MADE

l thing now to be done. it seemed, was to confer with the property owners and complete the project on the same basis as street i'm proyements used to be made here, the town paying one-third of the cost and the remaining two-thirds prorated among owners of property adjoining the improvement.
 The need for rebuilding Front street at once was discussed and the decision of the council as to the best way to meet the situation will be reached at a special meeting which will be called as soon as more cost data are available.
 Financial Report
 The Finance committee by Camp bell reported that receipts from the City Light plant during the month of April amounted to S1961 and bank balance of $5O0.91 at the end of the month General fund collec- tions for the month amounted to $563.40, practically the only re- ceipts just now being water depart ment collections. The general fund bank balance was in the red $562.- 79 at the end of the month.
 Claims on the general fund amounting to $23S7.77 and on the light department amounting t o $25O6.72 were read and ordered ! paid when funds are available.
 Light Plant Progress
 H. Wellons, light plant manager, gave a comprehensive report on the progress made in the construction of the new light plant building and the reasons for certain expendi- lures having been made.
 He spoke of the need for him to have some one in authority from the council with whom he could confer from day to day as various problems arise during the construc- tion of the building and the install lation of the new unit. As matters now stand, he has to come down town, disturb the members of the finance committee during business hours with resultant dissatisfaction to all concerned. The councilmen delegated aut hority to Mayor Barnes to act for them in light plant matters where issues did not involve expenditure of major sums of money.
 Liability Insurance
 Liability insurance for the seven city trucks, including the two fire trucks, will be decided upon within the next two weeks.
 Free Job
 The need of the city having some one to act as City Buildings Custo- dian, was met by the appointment of Councilman Ole Johnson to act in that capacity. His duties include responsibility for all minor repairs of the city owned buildings and he serves without pay.
 City Engineer Reports
 Frank P. Barnes, PWA engineer for the city, reported that clearing of nine acres, the area to be cover ed by the new water storage reser- voir, was practically finished; that the cribbing was completed to within seven feet in height and would be finished by May Is. Wa ter will be impounded by the first of June.
 He presented a contour map made from a rough survey of the watershed area, showing the main creeks that feed the system, and the fact that only a part of the wa for of in bo reservoir. One creek which carries half the water of the area now flows in the opposite direction. By blasting a ditch, Barnes explained, this creek would be diverted into the Wrangell city water system. The approximate cost, Barnes said, was estimated at $500 to $400. The council asked him to secure defin- ite cost data by May Is. The city water system is entirely dependent on snowfall and rain run-off. Nor mally, the present dam supplies all needs, but under unusual weather conditions a shortage might ensue, and the council seemed inclined to believe it the wiser procedure to [ l possible.
 Water Rates
 Complaints and readjustments of individual water rates considered included the question raised by a taxpayer as to whether the flat rate of s15 monthly for the Wran- gell hotel, including the hotel kit chen, all rooms and baths, the down stairs apartment, Signal Corps sta- tion and hot water heating system of the entire building, was just and fair in proportion to rates paid by other business houses. The council decided that much less water was used in the building than outsid- CTS might think and that the rate the year round was not too low. s flat rafo nf &6 monfhlv xua O