This Day in History: December 5th, 1911

This Day in History: December 5th, 1911

CO-OPERATE WITH MILLTOWN FOR WATER RELIEF

Advisory Commission Recommends That City and Borough Get Together- Pollution of Lawrence Brook New Brunswick’s Greatest Danger.


Co-operation with Milltown on the basis of a bargain by which that borough may obtain a water supply from this city in return for its establishing a sewage disposal plant to prevent contamination of Lawrence Brook, is the fundamental plan proposed for the purification of the city water supply proposed by the Advisory Water Commission to Common Council last night.

A filtration plant is also recommended, but as a matter of secondary importance “The necessity does not depend,” says the report. “upon present conditions at Milltown, for that situation must be changed in any event. But that (pollution) being eliminated, a suitable filter will not only tend to protect the water from sporadic or possible contamination elsewhere, but will remove vegetable matter which now causes objectionable color, odor, and sometimes taste.”

The commission as side issues recommends the raising of the dam at Weston’s Mills three feet to increase the reserve supply and also the reformation of rates by which Highland Park is supplied, that borough actually getting water cheaper than the inhabitants of New Brunswick.

In the event that the Milltown pollution cannot be stopped, the commission recommends a storage reservoir at Parson’s pond, which would cost the city $347.000, or about three times the estimate for the purification and filtration plant. The artesian well plan is dismissed because of uncertainty as to amount of supply.

The Commission.

The commission, which was appointed on April 17 last, consists of Former Mayor Drury W. Cooper Eugene P Darrow, William H. Benedict, Alfred A. Titsworth, Frederick C. Schneider and Alfred S March

The commission visited Council in a body last evening, and the report was presented by its president, Mr. Cooper, who expressed the thanks of the members for the honor conferred upon them, also for Council’s support in the matter of appropriations for necessary expenses, of which, he said. a balance would be returned to the city.

“Our recommendations,” said Mr. Cooper, “do not entail the expenditure of any great amount. We have not sought ideal conditions, but simply to advise the city to under- take just such work as is actually necessary

“The report lays particular emphasis upon conditions at Milltown. which are not due to any fault or intention on the part of Milltown, nor to any inattention on the part of the officials of New Brunswick, but to the ordinary growth of the neighboring community. We hope that means will be found, acceptable to all parties, so that the matter can be attended to with the least possible expense and trouble”

Milltown Mayor Willing.

City Attorney Weigel, who is also borough attorney of Milltown, said that Mayor Conrad Richter, of the latter place, had attended sessions of the commission, and had informed him of an intention to appoint a similar commission in Milltown to consider a disposal plant.

On motion of Mr. Ridgeway the report was received and referred to the Finance Committee.

The report in its opening reviews the history of the commission and says that co-operation by Milltown was invited, but that the commission did not feel justified in waiting longer than it had for such co-operation. Continuing the report says:

Possible Sources of Supply.

“Aside from the present source of supply, we have Investigated the Raritan river and the driving of artesian wells. The river, while furnishing an abundant supply, is harder in quality of water than Lawrence Brook, besides containing a greater percentage of mineral matter, and showing higher color: in addition, it is open to the same objection raised against the present supply: Danger of pollution from settlements above us

“Repeated attempts have been made in this vicinity by private users to drive artesian wells, but the results are far from encouraging

“On the other hand, the city now enjoys water of admirable softness. supplied by a system that has been enlarged as the city has grown, and drawn from a water shed having much less density of population than the Raritan valley; there is an investment of more than $150,000 in the present pumping station and its mains to the reservoir, which would be lost if the supply were changed.

“From these considerations (which have been greatly amplified in the commission’s investigations) It is clear that, unless serious objection be raised, regarding either limitation of present supply or unavoidable pollution, the city should not change either to river or to driven wells,

“The city’s supply is drawn from the lowest of a series of five ponds, the highest of which lies on the south side of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s main line, a little more than a mile east of Monmouth Junction. The storage capacities of these ponds, as now dammed, are given in the following table:

Pond No. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . 26,542,000

Davison’s Pond . . . . . . . 10,557,000

Parson’s Pond. . . . . . . . 39.455,000

Milltown Pond . . . . . . . 9.765,000

Weston’s Mill Pond. . . 130.399,000

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226.718.000

“From this it will be seen that, of the total stored by dams now built on the watershed, more than one- half is in our own pond: secondly, that, although it is the lowest of the series, its storage capacity is only equal to about 5 days maximum production of the entire shed, or cording to the estimates of the State Board: furthermore, that our pond holds less than 50 days’ supply at the present rate of consumption-in other words, that the amount actually stored behind the present dam would last the city a little over a month If the flow into it should stop.

“We are clearly of the opinion that the capacity of the city’s storage should be substantially increased by one of the plans that will be discussed presently.

Character of the Water.

“As stated above, the water is of unusual and most desirable softness, and so is especially adapted to domestic and factory uses. It teems with organic life, both animal and vegetable Something like 15 species of alga and other forms of vegetable growth have been identified. From the changes incident to the life and growth of these organisms arise the color, odor and taste which at times reach a point where they are very objectionable and deleterious

“Color, odor, and taste are chiefly. the results of decaying vegetation On the average there is very small mineral content.

“These objections, while serious enough to require attention, are of far less importance than the matter now to be considered.

Sanitation.

“Were it not for Milltown and the dangerous and intolerable nuisances there, our citizens need have no special anxiety as to the contamination of their water supply

“The conditions at Milltown are these:

“Some 2,000 people dwell on the banks of Lawrence Brook, about the dam of Milltown pond: there are the large rubber mills of the Michelin Tire Co., situated just above the dam: a card factory and the power house and car barns of the Public Service Corporation just below it: and several hotels, all crowded close to the water’s edge. The borough has no sewerage system, so that the danger of fecal matter flowing, by natural surface or subsoll drainage, into our water supply, is constant and growing. The daily washing of cars in the car barns and a large number of employees daily at the factories augment the danger. Part of the surface drainage from Milltown is into the pond above the dam. Part below the dam and directly into Weston’s pond

Superficial examination shows a number of pipes leading from the Michelin factory to or into the water and a free discharge of more or less offensive fluid from them.

Analysis of Samples.

The report then tells of analysis of duplicate sets of samples taken on June 7 last, one set being submitted to the State Board of Health at Trenton, the other to Prof North and Mr. Doryland, of Rutgers

Present Conditions Are Dangerous.

“The only safeguards that New Brunswick has at present from an epidemic of any communicable disease affecting the Intestinal tract- typhoid and typhus, for example, that may exist in Milltown are, first. the two miles or so of flow down the city’s pond; second, such rough and ready means as are now employed at the pump house to purify the water before drinking it. But these means are Inadequate.

Thus, with reference to treatment of water by calcium hypochlorite, where the water is not filtered, there may be minute particles of matter enclosing bacteria which are not affected by the chemical, besides, there is always danger of incomplete mixture of hypochlorite with the water in any scheme of application. We believe that this means of treating our water should be continued pending the permanent improvements referred to.

Likewise, the two mile now in our pond, although sluggish and thereby increasing the tendency to self purification by exposure to air and sun- light and by sedimentation, is insufficient, according to experience, to eliminate colon or typhoid bacteria. It is understood that in the case of the typhoid epidemic Scranton, Pa. the bacilli were carried a greater distance than that, while a recent writer cites a similar epidemic that caused 69 deaths out or a total of 1.067 typhoid cases, which was traced to sewage from towns and mills dumped into the water supply at various points the nearest of which was only about eight miles away”

The boiling of water is, of course, efficient, but as it makes it unpalatable in many mouths, imposes an easily shirked duty upon those who are either indifferent or already over-burdened with household cares, and distributes among all the inhabitants a duty or an essentially public nature, this safeguard is least of al to be relied on.

The Remedy.

“The question naturally arises. why should Milltown be permitted to pollute our water supply and thus constantly menace the health of New Brunswick? Apparently, the only answer is, that what is everybody’s business is nobody’s business.

“Ample authority to Institute suitable action to suppress such nuisances was given the Board of Water Commissioners by the statute under which the City acquired the property and franchises of the New Brunswick Water Company, which company by the statutes of 1859 and subsequent years had been clothed with very extensive and valuable powers to establish and acquire water-rights in Middlesex and Somerset Counties.

“Although, by some recent legislation, the State Board of Health is given the power to initiate and enforce action to prevent or stop pollution of the potable water within the State, nevertheless the health of the city should not be jeopardized because of the laxity or inaction of any State authorities.

“The prime requisite to any scheme of betterment is the total elimination of pollution by sewage at Milltown in our judgment, this can be accomplished only by the erection and maintenance by Milltown of a sewage disposal plant, located at some point outside the water-shed of Lawrence Brook.

Recommendations

In the present are your Commisions recommended to following plan as

Adequate to meet all present conditions, and future requirements, so far as they are now foreseen:

“1. That the pollution by sewage at Milltown be eliminated by persuading or encouraging, that Borough to erect a sewage disposal plant outside the water-shed.

“2. When that is done, we recommend that the dam at Weston’s Millpond be ramed 7 foot in height. This will increase the storage capacity of the pond from 120,000,000 gallons to 200,000,000 gallons approximately, Because of the step banks this would not materially widen the pond or overflow adjacent lands. The advantage of this will be not merely in the increased available — which in seasons as dry as that of 10 would be immensely valuable to the city but, regulating the flow of the stream will give greater opportunity for sedimentation, and consequent self-purification of the water.

It is estimated that the cost of the work necessary for the additional height of dam and retaining walls the sides of the pond will not exceed fifteen thousand dollars $15,000, or fall below thirteen thousand dollars $13,000.

“3. The necessity of filtration does not depend, in our judgment, upon the present conditions at Milltown, for that situation must be changed in any event. A filtration plant should not be relied upon to safeguard against manifest pollution. But, that being eliminated, a suitable filter will not only tend to protect the water from sporadic or possible. contamination elsewhere, but will remove vegetable matter which now causes objectionable color, odor and sometimes taste,

“4. In the event that sewage at Milltown cannot be dealt with as heretofore recommended because of legal obstacles not apparent from our Investigations, or because those charged with the duty of acting fail to protect the city’s interests, there is no safe recourse for the city except to acquire land and build a large storage reservoir at Parsons Pond, and pipe from there to our present pumping station. Provisional plans and estimates were made for such a scheme some 30 years ago by the late Dr. George H. Cook and having reviewed his plans and figures (which are filed herewith, we are of opinion that his estimate of maximum storage capacity of 1,640, 000,000 gallons and of probable cost of $347,000, including cost of land, dam and piping, are fair and just now.

“But this plan is open to patent objections; among them these: It saddles upon the city an expense that Is avoidable if pollution at Milltown be eliminated; it does not avoid the necessity of filtering in order to rid the water of odor, color and taste: and it reduces the drainage area by more than 25 per cent and that means a lowering in that proportion of the average daily flow available for our uses, in dry seasons.

“Such a storage reservoir may, in years to come, be necessitated by large increase In population, as an auxiliary to Weston’s Pond: but no such necessity now exists, in our Judgment.

“5. Contain matters of relatively minor importance claim attention. The city has the right to assess and collect water taxes on all lands fronting on lines of pipe, whether or not the owners use the supply. We understand that this power has not been exercised in the practice of the Water Department.

“The city at present delivers water to the neighboring Borough of Highland Park at less net rates than in our own city. We have examined the contract, executed about two years ago, and find that, upon its face it provides for equal rates in both places; but Highland Park taxes our city for the value of the piping system that is laid there, so that the Borough has a preference despite the facts that our citizens own the plant, and that the average distance of delivery in Highland Park greatly exceeds the average distance of delivery to our own townspeople. We can find little to commend in the terms of the Highland Park contract: In case of threatened famine. this city should have a preference In the use of its own water, but that is specifically excluded: no lien is given against property in the Borough for unpaid water rates, so that the city’s ability to collect seems to depend entirely upon the willingness of the users there to remit; and apparently no right is given our Board to charge property there that abuts our lines unless the owners connect with them. We strongly recommend that, if possible, this contract be rescinded, or reformed, in order to give New Brunswick its due.

“It is believed by the members of this Commission that, with the improvements in plant that we have recommended, the Borough of Milltown may agree to take water from our plant. For obvious reasons, It has no present interest In doing s But if that Borough will remove its sewage from the watershed, Its suspicions of the purity of the supply will be gone; and, it if then becomes a customer of our water department, the individual and collective interest there in avoiding pollution, will be as great a sin this city.

“Without making a specific recommendation on this point, we leave it to the good judgment and self-interest of both communities to determine whether co-operation is not the best course. Having examined the physical conditions, we are satisfied. that a workable scheme is entirely feasible

Respectfully submitted, DRURY W. COOPER, Pres, EUGENE P. DARROW WILLIAM H. BENEDICT, ALFRED A. TITSWORTH, FREDERICK C. SCHNEIDER, ALFRED S. MARCH, Sec. November, 1911.


This Day in History: November 30th, 1914

This Day in History: November 30th, 1914

Payment by the City of New Brunswick to the Borough of Milltown for the expense of the Construction of a system of sewers in the Borough


AN ORDINANCE.

An ordinance to issue bonds for the payment by the City of New Brunswick to the Borough of Milltown through which said Borough the water supply of the City of New Brunswick flows, of a portion of the expense of the Construction of a system of sewers in the Borough of Milltown:

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK:

Section 1. That the Common Councill of the City of New Brunswick under and by virtue of the provisions of a certain act of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey, entitled, “An Act to authorize cities and other municipalities having a public water supply derived from sources beyond the city limits to protect the same from pollution by providing for the payment of a portion of the expense of the construction of a system of sewers to any municipality through which said water flows, and providing also for the raising and expenditure of the money necessary for this purpose,” approved April 17, 1914, does hereby determine for the purpose of paying to the Borough of Milltown, through which Borough the water supply of the City of New Brunswick flows, a portion of the expense of the construction in said Borough of Milltown of a system of sewers, to appropriate and borrow the sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars, ($12.500) and to issue bonds therefor in the corporate name of the City of New Brunswick.

Section 2. Said bonds shall bear date of December 1, 1914. The bonds issued shall be twelve in number of the denomination of one thousand dollars each, and one of the denominations of five hundred dollars: shall bear interest payable semi-annually on the first days of June and December in each year at such rate not exceeding five per centum per annum as shall hereafter be determined by resolution of

Common Council; shall be sold at public or private sale at not less than par and accrued interest: shall run for a period of twenty years; shall be signed by the Mayor, countersigned by the City Treasurer and the City Comptroller and attested by the City Clerk; shall be either registered or coupon bonds, and if coupon bonds, the interest coupon attached thereto shall be signed by the facsimile signature of the City Treasurer and the City Comptroller. The principal and interest of said bonds shall be payable at the office of the City Treasurer of the City of New Brunswick, New Jersey, in lawful money of the United States of America. The property, faith and credit of the City of New Brunswick are hereby pledged to secure the principal and interest of said bonds.

Section 3. That there shall be included in the tax levy for each and every year until the principal of said bonds shall have been fully paid and discharged a sum sufficient to pay the interest on said issue of bonds for that year, and also a sum equal to at least two per centum of the principal of said issue of bonds, which said, last mentioned sum shall be paid into the Sinking Fund of the City of New Brunswick, and shall be invested and reinvested from time to time for the purpose of providing for the payment of said issue of bonds at the maturity thereof.

Section 4. That the proceeds of the sale of said bonds shall be used exclusively for the purpose expressed in the title and in the first section of this ordinance and for no other purpose.

Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect Immediately.

In Common Council on October 19, 1914, the above ordinance was read the first and second time, adopted by sections, passed on second reading, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and published according to Law.

Adopted October 19, 1914.

Attest:

EDWARD BURT. President.

ELMER J. MCMURTRY

City Clerk.

Passed in Common Council on third and final reading Nov. 6, 1914.

Attest:

ELMER J. McMURTRY,

EDWARD BURT, President.

City Clerk.

AUSTIN SCOTT,

Approved 16, November 1914.

N23-41-Mon.

Mayor.


This Day in History: August 11th 1916

This Day in History: August 11th 1916

Sewer Contract Goes to Brunswick Firm


MILLTOWN, Aug. 11. There being but one bid for the sewer and water extension out Riva avenue, in order that the new Michelin houses might be connected the contract was awarded to the Utility Construction Company, of New Brunswick, at the meeting of Borough Council last night The successful bidders gave bonds in the amount of $8.400 for the faithful performance of their duties. The contract specified that but one payment shall be made at the completion and acceptance of the work.

Utility Man Resigns.

The resignation of Henry Rathcamp, who has served the borough as utility man for the past several years, was received at the council meeting last night, and in accordance with action taken, an advertisement for man to take his place appears in today’s issue of the Home News.

The matter of procuring oil for the purpose of settling the dust along the main street of the borough was again discussed and the street committee was directed to procure some kind of a substance as soon as possible. Chairman Kuthlthau, of the street committee reported that he had investigated the matter of combination road binder and dust layer produced by the Robbinson Process Co. Whether this or crude oil will be procured was left in the hands of the committee to decide.

Poor Sidewalk

A washout in the sidewalk of O. Lindstrom. of North Main Street, which caused a young lady to fall down recently, was reported to council, and the clerk was authorized to notify the owner to have same repaired.

Councilman Skewis, chairman of the police committee, reported that he had been requested by the Board of Health to put a special officer on the streets to see that the resolutions of the health committee are carried out in so far as prohibiting children under sixteen years from entering or leaving the town, to keep children at home and to perform such other duties as the Board of Health will require of them. It is proposed to have the special officer to board the trolley cars as they enter the town and make a search for children under the age limit and prevent them from alighting in the town.

The matter of daily visits in the borough by New York and Brooklyn children who are stopping near Patrick’s Corner, was reported. The matter will be taken care of by the special officer, who will be on the job this week.

The finance committee was authorized to purchase sixty-five meters still due on contract with the Pittsburgh Meter Co., together with 25 one-inch curb cocks and six frost bottoms for meters.

The application for plumbers’. scene and bond of Theodore Bluming, which was laid on the table some time ago, was taken up and refused, on the grounds that Mr. Bluming had no established place of business. Mr. Bluming desired to do some work in his own home at present and expected to start his business later on. The outside work has been completed by regularly licensed plumber, and the refusal of the application will not hinder him from doing the inside work in his own home, but it must be inspected by a licensed plumber of the borough.

A bond of the Michelin Tire Company for plumbing licenses was approved.

The clerk was Authorized to deliver to the engineer in charge of the new sewer and water construction work the bid of the Utility Construction Co. with the understanding the same would be returned for filing at the completion of the work

The finance committee was empowered to purchase an air compressor for the engine for use in connection with the sewer station at a cost of not more than $225.

The clerk was authorized to send a bill to the Pubic Service Railway Co., for $3,00, for water taken from a local hydrant to fill their tank car, and also to notify the Public Service that such practice will not be tolerated unless permission is granted by council.


This Day in History: May 6 1914

Yellow stripe on a sewer grate

Voters Clear the Track For Greater Milltown by Balloting For Sewer and Water Systems Gratifying Results of Election

Expected to Prove a Great Boon to the Tire Town and Pave the Way to Michelin Co.’s Expansion.


MILLTOWN. May 6 – Two-thirds of the voters of the borough of Milltown turned out at the special election which was held yesterday, about 75 per cent, of whom voiced their approval of the action of the officials to proceed with the Installation of sewer and water systems in accordance with the plans and specifications of the Milltown Sewer and Water Commission, as approved by the Borough Council.

Special ballots were voted for the construction of a sewer system and the issuance of bonds therefor and the – construction of a water works and the issuance of bonds therefor, the results of which follow:

In favor of the construction of a system of sewerage in the borough of Milltown, according to resolution of council dated December 11, 1913……..192

In favor of the issue of bonds for the above, according to resolution of Council dated March 12, 1914……..183

Against the construction of a system of sewerage in the borough of Milltown……..49

Against the issue of bonds for sewer system……..46

In favor of the construction of a system of water works in the borough of Milltown, according a resolution of Council dated December 11, 1913……..188

In favor of the issue of bonds for the water works, according to a resolution of Council dated March 12, 1914……..181

Against the construction of a system of water works in the borough of Milltown, according to resolution of Council dated December 11, 1913……..47

Against the issue of bonds according to resolution of Council dated March 12, 1914……..43

There were 247 votes cast in all; of this number 16 were rejected.

After the installation of the sewers we will have not only a more attractive borough by way of conveniences, but a cleaner, healthier and up-to date borough.

While It will be necessary to bond the town for about $100,000 in order to establish the sewer and water systems as outlined by the plans and specifications, it Is believed that the same will not prove to be a heavy burden, compared with the conveniences that will be derived from the same. After the installation of the sewers we will have not only a more attractive borough by way of conveniences, but a cleaner, healthier and up-to date borough. This will also give Milltown better facilities for fire protection and have a tendency to reduce the insurance rates.

The vote cast yesterday was much heavier than had been anticipated, and a larger number turned out in favor of the plans than was looked forward to. In certain sections of the borough, where it was thought the vote would be dead against the new issue, a large proportion favored the movement.

All the Milltown voters employed in the Michelin tire factory were privileged to leave their work at 5o’clock yesterday in order to go to the polls to cast their votes.

The new systems after being installed, “It is believed, will have a direct bearing on the future plans of the Michelin Tire Company in the way of still further enlargements of their already enormous plant here, and thus Milltown will benefit in this way by bringing more people into the borough.


This Day in History: May 4th 1914

This Day in History: May 4th 1914

Tomorrow’s Election Is Most Important in History of the Borough

Milltown’s Future Depends Upon It Michelin Co. to Build Reclaiming Works if Water and Sewer Systems Are Voted For.


MILLTOWN, May 4. – May 6, is “Decision Day” in Milltown, when the voters will decide whether or not they want the proposed water and sewerage systems. Arguments have been heard for and against the proposition.

The principle arguments against are these:

  1. The Increased tax rate.
  2. The discomfort of making Improvements, such as torn up streets, etc.
  3. Annexation with the New Brunswick sewer system.
  4. The probable pollution of private wells now in use.
  5. The size of the main which will carry the sewage from Milltown to New Brunswick.

These arguments are answered by those favorable to the plans In this manner:

  • A town never begins to grow until it is bonded. The total bonded Indebtedness will amount to approximately $100,000. The interest on this plus the cost of the establishment of a sinking fund plus the cost of operation of the system, will amount to approximately between $8,000 and $9,000 annually, which cannot be claimed to be excessive in a town of one million dollars valuation. In the last ten years this valuation has Increased from five hundred thousand dollars valuation. In the next ten years, with added advantages of sewer and water the valuation should Increase in proportion. Besides this the water system should be a paying proposition by 1918, and undoubtedly will be.
  • Contracts awarded for these systems will embrace a clause requiring that the streets be returned to the same condition as when opened, and before final payments the borough councilmen will satisfy themselves on the condition of the thoroughness.
  • The annexation with New Brunswick brings with it $12,500 form the treasury of that city for the construction of the force line from the borough limits to New Brunswick., curtailing the cost of an expensive disposal plant on the banks of the Lawrence Brook. Our acceptance of this offer from New Brunswick does not place us under any obligations to that city, being but a purely business proposition for the protection of their water supply.
  •  With the clay and sandy soil, which proves to be an excellent filter, it is unlikely and improbable that the wells will be polluted, the small amount of sewage which escapes from the pipe cemented together, and plastered manholes, will become purified in a flow of a few feet in that nature of the soil.
  • Three engineers of note have declared that a twelve inch main, will carry all the sewage from Milltown, if there was a house on every lot in the borough, which should be satisfactory to those skeptical on this point. Many arguments have been advanced in favor of the plans, among them are
    • Encouragement for industries.
    • Increase of population.
    • Cleanliness
    • Domestic uses.
    • To place the town on higher level with towns of the same size and population.
  • Fire facilities.

What has Milltown to offer at the present time to new industries? Practically nothing but land and railroad facilities. One of the principal needs of any large industry is water and a place to dispose of the sewage. The Michelin Tire Company is at the present time severely handicapped in its growth by the lack of these facilities. The State Board of Health is decidedly against any addition pollution of the brook by the company, which is necessarily put an end to the plans of the building of a re-claiming plant, which it is understood the company will build upon the advent of water and sewerage systems, thereby greatly increasing the size of their plant in America.  

What has Milltown to offer at the present time to new industries? Practically nothing but land and railroad facilities. One of the principal needs of any large industry is water and a place to dispose of the sewage.

Why is it that Highland Park has increased in population during the last few years? Why is it that so many employed in Milltown who have their interests here have moved from New Brunswick to Highland Park and not from New Brunswick to Milltown. Because the facilities for modern improvements in modern homes fall short in that the borough has no water or sewers.

Upon the installation of a sewer system there will be a remedy for odors incidental to the distribution of sewerage on land and the other ills incidental to the lack of a system.

The slogan of the housewife tomorrow will be “Down with the rain barrel and in with the clear running water from the faucet.” Man can figure on saving his wife one-half her trouble by the installation of the pipe line and a receptive for the sewerage.

To compete with surrounding towns as a place for industry or a place for residence Milltown must sewer. New Brunswick is well sewered, as are South River, Metuchen, Highland Park and other surrounding towns Milltown must grow.

Milltown has a fire department of volunteers that is capable of fighting any fire. It Is equipped with a chemical auto truck which has done excellent work in small fires, but the company is seriously handicapped by the lack of pressure and lack of water, and it is likely that every fireman realizes it and those in the department who will be against it will be in the minority. The decision on its arguments advanced will be rendered by Milltown voters tomorrow.

The increase in the tax rate will be about 50 points, but this will be more than offset by the increased valuations. It is stated that the plan; Is not to pay off any bonded Indebtedness for five years, except Interest, so that property owners can connect with the systems without increasing their expenses too much.