Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 221, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1915 — Ordinance 168 [ARTICLE]

Ordinance 168

Am Ordinance by the Ooaunoa Ooocfl of the City of Rensselaer, Indiana, providing for the regulation and management of the Monseelaer Water Works and Electric night Haats now owned and controlled by said City; fixing the rates to be obax*od against ths owners of real estate for water, and fixing electric light rates to bo chargod to the users of electric light*, with such rogulationa baaed on the amount of water and electric current consumed as will insure a just and equitable service; directing the proper manarement and control by a proper committee, designating the officers and dewniny their powers and duties and providing penalties for violation of same. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Rensselaer, ’.taper County, Indiana, that the direction and supervision of the water works and electric light plants of said city shall be placed under the control of the Common Council, and a committee appointed by the Mayor-with power to do all acts for the prudent and efficient management and protection of such plants.

Sec. 2. The water works and electric light committee mentioned in Section 1 hereof, shall consist of three members of the Common Council to be appointed toy the Mayor, and shall hereafter be known as the Water and Light Committee, and the members thereof shall serve without other pay or compensation that the regular salaries of the Councilmen as provided by ordinance. It shall be the duty of such committee, with the advice and consent of the Common Council to employ a superintendent and other employees as may be necessary ana proper to manage and co"hduct such work at and for such compensation as may be fixed by ordinance. Such superintendent shall be required to give bond payable to the State of Indiana, for the use of the City of Rensselaer, Indiana,. in the penal sum of five hundred (1500.00) dollars, which bond shall be conditioned for the faithful dischagre of his duties as such superintendent as hereinafter defined and the payment to the proper person of all moneys that may come into his hands as such superintendent, which bond shall be approved by the Mayor of this city: Provided that such superintendent shall, once each week pay over to the City Treasurer and take his receipt therefor, all moneys, rents and income of such' plants which shall come into his hands during the previous week Such City Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds belonging to such plants whether derived from taxation, appropriations of the Common Council or from rents or other income of such plants; and the funds belonging to each of said plants shall be kept by said treasurer as separate and distinct funds. Sec. 3. It shall be the further duty of such committee with the advice and consent of the Common Council to purchase all supplies that the committee and the superintendent shall deem necessary to properly operate said plants. Said superintendent shall make a report in writing, whenever so requested by the Common Council, showing the exact physical condition of each of said plants a.nd revenue thereof as may be collected. Ana it shall be the further duty of the superintendent to make such recommendations to the Common Council as he may deem best for the best interests of said plants. Said superintendent shall have the entire charge of all engines, dynamos, poles, wires, boners, heaters, pumps, wells, tank, tower, pipelines, and all other articles and fixtures belonging to either of said plants. He shall have direct supervision over all the work necessary to be done in the operation of said plants, and all assistants, engineers, firemen, linemen, and all other, employees engaged therein shall be at all times under the direction of said superintendent, and they shall perform such duties and services as he may direct. Seo. 4. The superintendent and me* ll ' bers of said committee shall be authorized and have free access to enter at all reasonable hours on the premises where it may be necessary to ascertain the location and condition of a “ nioes, wires, meters, and other fixtures used in connection with either the water or light plants and in case <»J. w& ste of water for want of repair or other negligence, such waste must be stopped forthwith by the consumer, otherwise the water leading to such premises shall be turned off and the water will not be turned on again without the Permit. of said superintendent or said committee and the payment to the City Treasurer the sum of fifty cents, the cost and expense of turning the water off and «n. In case of a leak in a private pipe between the main or stop cock, the owner or occupant shall be notified personally in writing, and if the necessary repairs are not immediately commenced and finished within a reasonable time, said superintendent shall cause the necessary repairs to be made at the expense of the owner of said property, which expense shall be paid as above set forth before the water shall be turned on. Said superintendent shall have authority to inspect all premises where electricity is furnished, either for light or power purposes, and if in his judgment such premises are found to be wired fecUve manner, whlch defectß arellkely to produce fire, ft shall be h’S duty notify the owner of the premises in writing of such defects and the proper method and manner of wiring the same, and if said owner fails or refuses to comply therewith, said superintendent shall have authority and he is hereby directed to discontinue said service ana said service shall not be re-established until such changes are made and the P ay ™® a * of the sum of fifty cents to the CHty Treasurer for the time occupied in making all connections. , Seo. 5. When Immediate repairs must be made to either the U&bt or water plants which necessitates the shutting down of either of said plants the same may be done with or without notice to the patrons of either department, but when* circumstances will permit a public or personal notice will be given of such contemplated shutting down, and in no case shall the City of Rensselaer, its officers or employees be or be held responsible for any damage resulting Jrom a failure for any cause to supply either water or electricity to any of its Patrons, and this section shall .constitute one of the conditions by which either water or electricity shall be furnished to the patrons of either of said Pjant?’ Seo 6 Water will not be furnished to any premises except upon a ®»eter basis, and the following meter rates for the sale of the same are hereby established. The first 9,000 gallons, 25c per 1000 Ba The%ext wSoo xallona. 20c per 1700 B3 The 9 neKt gcllona, ISc per 1000 B Th“nKt soolwd gallons 10c per 1000 ’’The’next “oMOO gallon.. 70 per 1000 “JiW."!?.' nm * iooo "ffiSWS ?S& on .1.. All rentals payable quarterly on the first day of January, April, July and October. The meters to be used in measuring the water consumed by the patrons of said department shall be fur nished by said city and the cost of installing the same shall be borne and paid for by the property owner being furnished thereby. The cost of ln sta V a }},° n shall include the cost of all excavations, the actual price of the meter box and the top thereto, which sums must be paid to said city in advance before any water will be furnished to any patron and no other or different kind of a meter box or top shall be used other than the kind which may be recommended by the committee and the superintendent. A new water tap will not be made for less than one year of continuous service under the rates and charges as above

Pr Sho d uld property which is with water become vacant and such water be not used thereon, the owner JhVXnf may have his account ™ written notice to that effect to the superintendent whose duty it shall Jr such notice upon the water si tn be again turned on and kwSwtfiff rs &SSE?S23

the above privilege or rebate shall not apply to vacancies of less than ninety days, and provided further, should the owner of such property fall to give t-*e notice as hereinabove provided, the superintendent shall in no case give credit or rebate to said property owner on account of said vacancy. All water meters shall be installed under the direct supervision of the superintendent and in any > such places as he shall elect. If any such meters are located in meter-box in the street, the property owner will be required to install at his own expense the service pipe from the outlet of the meter to the premises, and if any of said meters are located on the premises, the property owner will be required to install at his own expense all service pipes between the curb and stop cock ana meter, all such service pipes between the stop cock and the meter to be extra strong lead pipe and to the satisfaction of said superintendent, and all connections to be heavy brass fittings. Sec. 7, All charges for water shall be paid by the property owner or owners receiving the same and all said charges shall become h lien upon said property. Before any meters shall be installed, the owner or owners of property desiring to become consumers of water to be furnished by said city shall make a written application to the city for the same. Said application must be dated and signed by the applicant or applicants and describe the property to be furnished with water ana the applicant or applicants must agree to pay for the installation of the water meter as above defined, and further agree to pay the rate of charges as provided for herein and consent that said charge for water consumed on the premises shall become a lien thereon, and agree to comply with and be bound by all ordinances now in force or which may be enacted by the Common Council of said city. Said application shall be in the following form: “Rensselaer, Indiana.

To the City of Rensselaer, Indiana: The undersigned hereby applies for water to be furnished to the following described premises

I,' or we agree to pay for the installation of a water meter to be used for the purpose of measuring said service, and further agree to pay the rates and charges now in force or which may hereafter become in force and consent that all such charges shall be a lien on the property hereinabove described, and further agree to comply with and be bound by all ordinances now in force or which may be enacted by the Common Council of said City relative to the water works department of said city.” eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeeeee* ft Provided, however, that if the property to be served is situated a distance remote from a water main, and the Income from such service would not in the judgment of said superintendent be sufficient to justify an extension of the main then in such event no tap will be made unless said applicant orappllcants shall pay for the said extensffim. If said applicant or applicants for ,® ald tension, he or they shall receive credit on the water duplicate for an amount equal to the cost of said extension; Provided further that all such extensions whether paid for by the city or its patrons shall be the property of the city, and said city shall have the right to tap the same for other patrons. Sec. 8. It shall be unlawful for any patron of the water department to sprinkle lawns, gardens or streets more than three hours during any one, day, and only between the hours of 6 o clock a. m. and 8 o’clock a., m. and 4 o> clock p m. and 8 o’clock p. m., and in case of fire it shall be unlawful for any such patron to permit any faucet or hydrant to remain open and running for any use or purpose during the continuance of an Sec. r6 9. Any plumber or pipe-fitter wishing to do business or obtain permission to make attachments, connections, enter any hydrant or do any plumbing in connecting with the city water works shall, before receiving such permit file his application in writing with the city clerk giving the name of the person or firm and the place or business, and stating hi® willing'ness to be governed by all and singular rules and regulations of said w ater work plant, subject to all of the penalties and conditions that have been, or mav hereafter be, from time to time and established by the Comrn^tem°lo? C Every plumber or pipe dtter apptying for license must satisfy the Common Council «md superintendent that he Is properly qualified and skilled to perforVaH the duties and requirements of a plumber or pipe fitter ana is in every respect qualified to receive a plumbero’ license. On the granting of a license by the Comramn Council, he shall execute and deposit with the City Clerk a bond In tue penal sum of dve hundred dollars, Payable Ba * d with one or more freeholder sureties conditioned that the said city eb l^ l1 ]i b ® saved harmless from any and all lia blllty whatsoever growing out of any injury or damage to property or Persons because of any neglect or fault of the said licensee, his agents or ® m . ploy ®® s In the execution of any work In con nectlon with said "®£? f » n v matter connected therewith or reand that he will pay any judgment with costs, which may be obtained against said city growing out of any such Injury or damage, store any pavements, sidewalks and street crossings or any °P®PJ?f 8 3a keen shall make to lay service pipes ana Keep and maintain tile same in good order for a period of six months to the satisfaction ° f B S^. d lL P licenses shall be signed by the Mayor and attested by the city clerk and shall be for the period ° f T°he e fee a for such license shall be five (15.00) dollars per year. P ayal ?l e vanes which fee shall be paid to tne nitv treasurer and his receipt delivered to the clerk before the delivery of such license. Any plumber ®r Plumbero retiring from business or removing from the city, shall forfeit the unexpired term of their license. No license shall be transferable. A license may be revoked for Incompetent or defective work, by the water works committee and superintendent All plumbers shall first obtain a permit from the water works committee or superintendent before tapping any distributing pipe, altering anv service house pipes or attachments. No mains shill 6e P tapped or conneetion made therewith except “nder ttje Hiinervieion of the water works superintendent or some representative or Iglnt who shall be present and superVi g*O. h pipes shall be connected by ferule, or nipple toet street mains not less than three re

P "ir-verv service pip® must be laid fleetly warfng, with at least one foot of extra length to prevent rupture by Se ®very service pipe must be lacw than thirty-six Inches below tne * and so protected as to prevent fr^H IT excavations in any street or public place must be protected bar t ri nTeht and a red light kept burning nls n£ during the time the same is open. In refilling trenches the earth 8bal ! be in layer® not more than four inches S.d«wh layer shall be thoroughly tamped and puddled so as to settling, and all sidewalks and and the entire surface of the street shall be restored to as good a 2 it was before the trench was made and all rubbish shall be r, emov ® d ,J! n Sssi* ately after the completion of the Onlv one tap and one meter will be made and furnished by the city for any premies tm.™ng one dr more tenants or occu-

P Bee. 13. Within twenty-four hours afteFthe completion of any attachment or connection, the plumber making the shall make a true report in writing* on the back of the permit, showing ♦bi location of the premises supplied with water and the name of the owner necunant thereof, which return shall be^fUedwith the city clerk andl upon the filing of the same, ft shall be the duty of said clerk to place the name of the owner of said premises on the water dU pi umbers and pipe fitters are forbidden from turning water bnto any service pipes except on the order or per mission 1 * of the Bupe s’” t l^l d^ t nre vent rule shall not be construed to prevent the superintendent from tn plumbers and pipe « tterß A® Bl work by letting water into-the. pipe* but they will only be allowed to do so for thia purpose, and when the work is

tested the water must be turned off. Any plumber or pipe fitter violating thia rule may have his license revoked and shall be liable to a fine of not less than one dollar nor more than fifty dollars on conviction thereof. ■ec. 14. All service' pipes must be of the latest approved material and when intended to supply two or more distinct premises or tenants, must be provided with separate and distinct stop cocks for each tenant as directed by tijP superintendent. There shall be pfficed in the service pipe immediately within the wall of the building supplied, a brass stop and waste cock, easily accessible, and at such a point that all water may be drained out of the pipes for the protection of the occupants, enabling them to turn off the water In case of leaks and to drain the pipes inside to Prevent freezing, etc., which shall be ully explained to them by the plumber doing the work. The city will insist upon these stops and waste cocks being so placed that they will accomplish perfectly the purpose for which they are designated; all elevator, motor, or other large connections, in addition te the euro stop, for use of the city, must be. supplied with another valve where the pipe first enters the building for the use of occupants. Plumbers must not furnish keys so: -curb stops cr other curb valves, but do the work in such a manner that the occupants will net require

keys. Sec. 15. Permits for attachments will not be granted when service passes over or through premises other than that to be supplied by said attachment. No service pipe will be allowed to be laid in a sewer trench or within eighteen inches along side such trench, except with the consent of the superintendent. Seo 16. No ferule shall be Inserted in any of the distributing mains larger than three-quarters of an inch in diameter without the consent of the superintendent. All connections shall be made with heavy brass nipples screwed into the main. Only lead pipe shall be used for service pipes between the main and the meter and shall be known as “extra strong” and must be able to stay a hydraulic pressure of one hundred ana fifty pounds per square inch. The lead pipe must not be less than the followng weights per lineal foot: % inch in diameter 2 lbs., 7 oz. % inch in diameter 3 lbs. % inch in diameter 3 lbs., 7 oz. 1 inch in diameter 4 lbs., 12 oz. 114 inch in diameter 6 lbs. . 1U inch in diameter 7 lbs., 8 oz. Seo. 17. The free use of water foi buildings owned or occupied by the city, or for public use shall not include its free use for private purposes. Any person, except the superintendent or persons duly vested with such authority shall not take water from any Public hydrant, plug, street washer, draw cock hose, pipe or fountain for fire purposes of for the use of the department in case Sec 18. No person shall open any fire hydrant, remove or obstruct any stop cock stop cock cover, meter, meter box, meter box top, fire hydrant, private stop cock or any street washer, or place or deposit any dirt or other matter in stop cock box or meter box, or turn any private stop cock not hav i i P^ inv b le’f authorized to do so, or commit any act tending to obstruct the use thereof _or injure in any manner any building machinery pipes, tools, apparatus or fixture of’eßher the electric light or wa er works. No persons except the super intendent and other employees und officers of said city will be Permitted on the premises occupied by the light ana water plants without a permit from the superintendent. And it shall be the duty of the superintendent and other em ployees to cause this rule to be strictly ad Sec. e 19. In case any new sidewalk is being' built Or an old one being repaired or any fills are being made, care must be taken by the property owner or contractor to keep the stop. box abo ?[®. s tl ]| surface and in plain f not thus arranged and the city is re ouired to dig up the main or shut off or turn it on, the property owner or street contractor shall be liable and chargeabl with the extra expense occasioned there-

bJ Sec. 20. It shall be unlawful for any nerson to hitch a horse, horses, mule or mules to any fire hydrant, street light* inff nosts or electric light poles or to back any vehicle of any kind or d ® s^ r . l P“ tion against such poles, or posts and the persorF so offending shall be Hable to a . „ nnt less than one dollar nor more han five dollars and in addition thereto shall be liable to the city for any and all damages occasioned to any such hydrant, pole or post or any attach"'g/ec. person obstructing access to anv fire hydrant or stop cock shall be liableto a fine of five dollars and five dollars additional for each hour that obstruction is permitted to remain. 22 For a violation of any section or nart thereof of this ordinance not having a penalty affixed thereto in any of the preceding sections, the shall be liable to a penalty of not less than one dollar nor more than fifty doh lars on conviction, thereof. Sec. 23. Electric current will not be ■Frtwniffibpii to any person, firm or corporation except upon a meter basis, and the following electric meter rates are hereby es 1 and commercial Batea. ,08? per K. W. H. for first 200 K. W. H Pe .osc per K. W. H. for next 200 K. W. H. Pe ,o 4c°per K. W. H. for all over 400 K. W k r di^o r un l t°of h io per cent will be allowed on all bills If the same are paid on or before the 10th day of each calendaThe°nUnlmum rate shall day of each calendar month. h _ fora All rentals are payable on or before the 10th day of each calendar month. The meters to be used in measuring the current consumed by patrons of said Senartment shall be furnished by the cltv aild the cost of installing the same shall be borne and paid for by the pat rons All electric meters shall be installed under the direct supervision of the superintendent and In aHoii Hplcct* but no meter shall be installed until the P atron fb ® h ?' 1 1 1 1 m d of d^d^v l^ = £ a heTlt 8 sh a all bVreturoed less any light delinquency

for electricity and no electric n m< b£ * inother electric apparatus stall be in borate limtoTof rte cVo? Vneselaei ?r r any Ending putsidl the, corporate limits of the city of Rensselaer to be furnished by electricity from its plant antes! the same Is done in accordance with the rules and requirements of the National Board of Fire Underwriters for ■pinotric Wiring'and Apparatus, as recommended by the National Pro ecWikg don<?and no building o? orrises Will be furbished with elec?ric P current for light or Power unless the provisions of this section are com nlied with, and in order to determine whether the provisions of this section have been complied with, said n A tendent is hereby authorized and directed to make a complete inspection of said work and no connection shall be made with the city light plant without a written permitof the superintendent, and no inspection shall be made by the said superintendent until the contractor or nersondoing the work shall pay to said superintendent the sum of one be an inspection fee, which sum shall be by the superintendent paid city treasurer and by him credited to far any aer.on firm or corporation to do any wiring or installing of electric apparatus where the same is to be connected with the city light plant without first procuring a license so to do, as hereinafter provided. The license'fee jshall be five dollars per rear for each person, firm or corporation license shall not be issued to any nerson under the age of eighteen years Anv nerson firm or corporation desiring i licensed electricians shall make awlicatlon in writing to the city clerk, which application shall state the name age and residence of said applied and In case of a partnership the name of the Individuals, together with their respective ages. Said application shall be by the clerk presented to the Common Council of said city and if ®oid Council is satisfied that said applicant Is a qualified electrician, it shall make an orier authorizing ’" the. same upon payment of the fep hereprovided for, and the filing of a

bond in the penal sum of five hundred dollars payable to the city of Refisselaer, with surety to the approval of the Mdyor conditioned that said City of Rensselaer shall be saved harmless from any and all liability whatsoever growing out of any injury or damage to property or persons because of any neglect or fault on the part oflueh licensee, his or its agents or employees in the discharge of any work performed under, such license, or any matter connected therewith or related thereto, and pay any judgment, with costs, which may ba obtained against said city, growing out of any injury or damage. Any person, firm or 'corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be fined not less than one dollar nor more than ten dollars; Provided that this section shall not apply to any firm, person or corporation living without the corporate limits of this city who are licensed electricians under the provisions of the ordinances of their legal residences.

Sec. 25. it shall be the duty of the superintendent to cause all electric and water meters to be read on or before the first day of each month and on or before the first day of each quarter respectively as otherwise provided in this ordinance. After said meters are read, said superintendent shall immediately report to the city clerk the amount of electric current and water consumed by each individual patron and It shall be the duty of the city clerk to make a calculation showing the amount of charges to be made against each of said patrons for the amount of electric current and water consumed by each of them, and shall spread the same upon the light and water duplicates. Immediately after said duplicates have been made by the clerk, he shall forthwith deliver the same to the city treasurer for collection. Said treasurer shall keep said duplicates open for a period of ten days, during which time, all bills for electric current and water consumed by the patrons of either department ar* hereby made due and payable. Said treasurer shall cause said water and light department to be balanced on the 11th day of each month and shall note thereon all unpaid accounts. Said treasurer shall make separate report in writing to the superintendent between th* 11th and 15th day of each month. Said report shall contain the names of all patrons of the light and water departments whose accounts are delinquent for the previous month or quarter, together

with the amount of said charges as shown on said duplicates. Upon the receipt of said reports or either of them by said superintendent, it shall be his duty to immediately collect from each of said patrons the amount or amounts as shown by said report. If any of said patrons fall or refuse to pay to said superintendent, the amount as shown due in said report, it slra+L, be the duty of the superintendent to discontinue the service in either of said departments to any delinquent patron or patrons. It shall be the duty of the superintendent, at the time of discontinuing said service to cause either the water or electric meter, as the case may be, to be read showing the amount of electric current .or water consumed up to the time of such discontinuance and the total charge of either electric current or water consumed up to the time of such discontinuance shall become due and payable. If said patron, fails to pay said charges and said service discontinued, in either or both of said departments as the case may be as above provided, it shall be the duty of said superintendent to report said fact to the city clerk, together with the total amount of all charges due either or both of said funds and said clerk shall note the facts on either the light or water duplicate and charge said delinquent patron with the additional unpaid charges up to the time said service is discontinued, together with a fee of fifty cents for re-establish-ing said service. " If said service is discontinued in either or both of said departments as provided for herein, the same shall not be reestablished to any such delinquent patron until said delinquent patron shall pay to the treasurer the full amount of all unpaid rentals, together with a fee of fifty cents for the re-establishing of the same, which said sum shall be by the treasurer credited to the light or water fund as the case may be. If said delinquent patron desires either or both of said services re-estab-lished, it shall be his duty to pay said treasurer the total amount of all unpaid charges plus the said sum of fifty cents and upon the payment of all said charges, it is hereby made the duty of the treasurer to issue to said patron his receipt showing full payment of all such charges, which said receipt shall be the superintendent’s authority to re-estab-lish either of said services as the case may be. , , . , Sec. 26. It is hereby made unlawful for the said superintendent to re-estab-lish the service in either or both of said departments unless the provisions or section 25 of this ordinance have been fully complied with and for a violation of the provisions of the same, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than five dollars nor more than ten dol-

lars. Seo. 27. It is hereby made unlawful for the city treasurer to issue any such receipt as above provided to any delinquent patron unless said patron has fully complied with said section twenty-five hereof, and for the violation of the pro-, visions hereof, said treasurer shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be finednot less than five dollars nor more than ten dollars. , „ X Sec. 28. It is hereby made the duty of the city attorney to prepare such forms gs will be necessary to carry out the provisions of this ordinance. Seo. 29. All ordinances and parts thereof in conflict with any of the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed. Sec. 30. In all cases where water meters are Installed on or before the first day of October, 1915, the rate provided for herein shall become effective on the first day of October, 1915, and in all eases where water meters are installed after the first day of October, 1915, the rate shall become effective on the first day of each quarter after the same are installed. , ~ , Sec. 31. This ordinance shall be in

force from and after its passage and publication for two consecutive weeks in The Evening Republican paper of said city, a daily newspaper, printed and published in said city. The first publication shall be on the 17th day of September, 1915, and the second publication on the 24th day of September, 1915 Approved by me this 13th day of September, 1915. CHARLES G. SPITLER, Mayor. Passed in Council the 13th day of September, 1915, and approved by the Mayor the 13th day of September, 1915. CHAS. MORLAN, City Clerk. Rensselaer, Ind., Sept. 14, 1915. State of Indiana, Jasper County, ss: I. Chas. Morlan. City Clerk of the City of Rensselaer, Indiana, do hereby certify the above and foregoing to be a true and complete copy of Ordinance No. 168, as passed and adopted by the Common Council of the City of Rensselaer. Indiana, at a regular meeting of said Council on the 13th day of September. 1915, and as appears of record in the City Clerk’s office of said City. Witness my hand and the seal of said City this 14th day of September, 1915. CHAS. MORLAN, City Clerk. (SEAL)