DANGER LURKS IN MILLTOWN
Local Water Supply O. K. Says Prof. Smith But Surface Drainage Flowing Into Milltown Pond, a Menace.
New Brunswick is to be congratulated on its water supply and its natural facilities along this line, according to what Prof. J. B. Smith said last evening, at the meeting of the Board of Health. The condition of the water is better than usual owing to the copper treatment. He said further that the analysis of the water from the tap by the chemist at the Experiment Station and by Fred B. Kilmer, a chemist of the Board, had showed not sufficient copper in the water to give a reaction to an ordinary chemical test.
Dr. Mitchell, of the State Board of Health, said he had found no trace of copper. He said the water indicates improvement, and that there was less organic material than usual this year in the water. Prof. Smith said that the Water Commissioners had paid all the bills for the work and that a fuller report of the matter would be ready by the next meeting.
Prof. Smith has received a letter from the Philadelphia Water Improvement Co., which uses the ozone process, and they will have figures showing the exact cost of a plant here by the next meeting.
Prof. Smith said a few words of comment in closing about the great natural advantages of the local water supply with Its area of two miles. He emphasized the fact that a danger lay in the wastewater from Milltown Flowing into the Milltown pond. He said he recently went over this part of the watershed with Inspector Clark and made photographs at the Milltown bridge and at the power station. In the Milltown drainage problem, however, Prof. Smith said there of was a danger that could not be eliminated till Milltown should have a drain laid to the dam to carry off the surface drainage.
There is a brook on Oliver Street which Is a dead one. The channel le not very deep, but runs across Oliver Street, and numerous drains run into the brook. The Inspector said that complaints have come In from the family at Oliver street, whose premises are flooded when the brook is up. All parties who run drains into the brook will be notified to connect with the sewer, according to a motion of the Board, post last evening. People will be so notified
Even the Board of Health had to acknowledge that they could not see any way for Peter Zimmerman, of 34 Hartwell Street, to rely on the wastewater which comes from his property. The place is so situated that the change in the location of the street had placed him too far off to sewer. Inspector Clark had notified him to do something, but nothing has been done. The counsel and Inspector will try to devise a way. The complaint was made against the property of Mrs. Abby Jaques, corner of John and Hassatt Street, where a bakery is conducted. There is no sewer. The counsel will look after the matter in company with the inspector.
Solicitor Willis reported the receipt of a letter from Dr. J. W. Wood, of New York owner of the property at Baldwin Street, against which a complaint has been made. He will comply with the request of the Board.
A letter from Justice Sedam stated that Martin Sinisky, of Burnet Street, who had been arrested and fined for digging a drain from a vault which was offensive, had paid $10 of his fine.
The report of Treasurer Wills for the month was that $352.37 was on hand. The report of Inspector Clark showed five cases of typhoid and one of scarlet fever. Counsel Willis reported the receipt of a letter from John V. Pralt, of 127 Commercial Avenue, regretting that as Mrs., P Saydam and Laundryman Van Horn of Commercial Avenue, had connected with the sewer, further proceedings be stopped. Those present at the meeting were: Messrs. Dr. Cronk, Prof. Smith, d Inspector Chirk, City Clerk Morrison, and Architect Parsell.
The bills of Seiffert Bros, for $3 S. L. Bennett, for $12, and W. H. Van Deursen 1 for $18.50 were ordered paid.
