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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 61Section 3, Page 9 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE JUNE 28, 1973 Public vote for new darn JOTTINGS BY J,M.S, (April 30, 1959) It was in August, 1909 that Exeter voted to build a dam and install a waterworks system for the village. The vote was 185 for and 71 against. The following is the report of a public meeting which preceded the voting as reported in the Exe ter Advocate. "A well attended meeting of ratepayers was held in the Town Hall Tuesday evening when the water works system was discussed. Mr. T, Harvey was moved to the chair and ,he called upon Reeve McCallum to state the object of the meeting. The reeve reviewed the matter of the water works discussion during the year. A public meeting had expressed the opinion that the council should secure an engineer to make a report with estimates, William Chipman, a competent man had been secured and visited Exeter in March. His report gave three propositions which the reeve read. The first involved an ex- penditure of $27,000; the second $39,000 and the third $51,000. The council considered the matter and decided to present a by-law involving an expenditure of $22,000 for water works for fire protection only. The engineer had advised the use of the river, the building of a standpipe, installing a gasoline engine and laying water mains. The council considered it could • be done for $22,000 on a scale that would allow for increasing the system should it become necessary. The old tank system could be repaired but he thought it would not be judicious. Mr. L, Hardy stated that the $22,000 would increase the debt too much for a town this size, as 1000 acres of the 1200 acres within the corporation was exempt from taxation as it was farm property. He thought the bonds could never be sold and the credit of the town would be much impaired. He thought the tank system had answered well for many years. Mr. R.E. Pickard asked what reductions in insurance premiums would be made on commercial risks after the system of fire protection had been installed? The reeve answered that Mr. Chipman said about 25 percent. Mr. W. Bawden thought another part of the river besides Mr. Howard's could be secured and be more suitable and con- siderable discussion took place on this point with the result that nearly all were in favor of the Howard property and that the price $1700 was a very reasonable one. Mr. Thomas Harvey suggested that the east side of Main street for a water supply was preferable owing to the fact that much of the drainage of the town went in at the bridge. Nearly half of the town taxes were paid by business men who were assessed as much for five feet as• many places were assessed for one fifth of an acre. The business men he felt sure, were in favor of the by-law. The tank system is not good enough. The standpipe is necessary for a quick service. Mr. J.A. Stewart was strongly in favor of the proposition and considered it sound in every way. Mr. Pickard thought we would get no better insurance rate unless we kept a permanent engineer and a paid fire brigade, Mr. T.B. Carling thought the proposition good and if we would not accept this one we should produce a better one. We must deal with the question sooner or later. He regretted that it could not be done cheaper but saw no way out of it. When the water works by-law was approved the council com- menced at once with the work of cleaning out the pond and building a cement dam. HARNESS SHOP - In 1906 the harness shop of W.J. Beer was one of the busiest stores in Exeter. On the left is Mr. Beer himself. On the right is 12-year-old Maurice Quance at the very beginning of his 67-year career as spring. a harness maker. Mr. Quance retired from the trade just this