Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 63, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1898 — Water and Light Rates [ARTICLE]

Water and Light Rates

Other City Council Proceedings. The City Couneil Monday night appointed J. H. Childers night policeman for another year. The city pays him S2O per month and the business men make up the balance of his salary. On recommendation of the finance commit tee bills to the amount -of $1005.84 were allowed. C. L. Thornton offers to sell to the city a small house and lot on Main street for a shelter for the fire apparatus kept in that part of the city. Spitler, Alter, Kight and Fire Chief Parcells, appointed a committee to investigate. Street committee was empowered to contract for a retaining wall at the south side of the east approach to Washington street bridge. City to pay half and property owners half. A cement walk was ordered on the east side of Cullen and Forest streets, from Makemself ditch north to Elm street. Meyer, Spitler and City Attorney Mills were appointed a committee to confer with County Commissioners in regard to securing a room in the new court house for council meetings. The contract with J. T. Penn for water for sprinkling purposes was approved. Inspectors for the approaching city election were appointed as follows: First ward. Thomas Thompson; 2nd ward, J. A.. Burnham; 3rd ward, W. H. Churchill. THE LIGHT SCHEDULE. The electric light rate schedule was adopted. The rate for hotels, restaurants and saloons 60 cents per month, per light. Other business houses, 50 cents per light. Residences. First five lights or less, 30 cents per month per light. Second 5 lights 25 cents per light. All lights above ,10, 20 cents per light. Meter rate, 12| cents per 1000 watts. Persons using 5 or more lights are entitled to one all night light, free. A discount on all light bills of 10 per cent, if paid before the sth of each month. These rates will, on an average, be a slight reduction on present rates, which however, are not all uniform. It is estimated that consumers at those rates will about pay the running expenses of the light system, thus giving the city its street lights practically free of cost. THE WATER RATES. Water rates were also adopted. Generally speaking they are about as published in the waterworks ordinance. It is provided, however, that persons who take water for domestic use. sprinkling &c., the rate for all will be only $lO per year, for one family. This to includes water for bath tub and water-closet. If the lawn is more than 59 feet front there will be an additional charge of 5 cents for each additional front foot. The city pays the expense of tapping the mains and takes the water to the property line. The rates on business and public places vary from $25 for livery stables to $4 for banks. Stores are $5, bakeries $6, boarding houses, butcher shops, billiard rooms, dentists, public halls, photographers, print shops, soda fountains, store rooms are $5 each. Feed yards sls, saloons sl2, laundries S2O, &c.