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Beloit City Government report

©1900 Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin

Page 76


hundred dollars ($237,500) payable in some way convenient to the city. The property can be delivered free of any encumbrance or it can be bonded first for $150,000 to $175,000 if desired, so that the city may purchase the equity subject to such an amount of bonds as might be deemed advantageous. It is proposed in this offer to deliver the property in first class condition and any part of it not in such condition will be made good. This proposition is open to inspection and examination for acceptance for a period of sixty days. But in case of arbitration this proposition is not to be used for any basis of value and must be returned to us before such arbitration begins. The price fixed in this proposition is below what we believe a Board of Arbitration would value the works as the present net income is over $16,000 and the valuation is purposely made lower to avoid the expense, annoyance and disagreements to both parties in an arbitration.
Based on the present net revenue with ordinary increase, the waterworks can pay for themselves in
sixteen to twenty years. If the receipts increase in future as fast as they have in the past three years they will pay for themselves in ten years.
Since our proposition to the city two years ago, $10,000 has been expended in water mains and
permanent improvements. In addition to this we now include all real estate on the east side of the race between the Berlin Company flume and the Paper Mill, together with an extra water power, flume and water wheel; making double the amount of water power, as the BLODGETT water since purchase by us is now included. This makes a very valuable site and power for any other municipal improvements and ownership the city might wish to undertake in future.
The water power offered in this proposition, (2100 inches, estimated at 150 horsepower) is sufficient
to more than pump the water for domestic use for a city of twenty thousand inhabitants and at present is ample to supply the city of Beloit not only for its domestic use but also for a large majority of fires without the aid of the steam plant. The water supply itself at present is sufficient for a city of 15,000 and almost an unlimited future supply itself of good first-class water at slight expense can be had on the property. It is extremely fortunate for both the city and the water company that so valuable a site on the water power is owned right in the heart of the city where both power and water is available and the most of its water used. This will be especially valuable in the future in cast the city should purchase as a water power requires very little help and can be run at night as well as day without immediate attention.
The East Side pumping station is the original steam plant and still capable of supplying water for
either, or both, sides of the river. Water power being so much cheaper than steam, the East Side plant is only used as an auxiliary station in cases of extreme dry weather and for fires.
The main West Side pumping station is run entirely by water power and capable of supplying the
whole city. Both pumping stations are connected together at all times but either can be run separately or both operated together. Beloit has the most economical, complete water works system, together with the best of water, for all its needs of any city in the state, as it has two complete water works plants, either one of which can supply the city in case of accident to the other, and is capable of almost unlimited enlargement at small expense as the size and general system of the water works is larger than its present needs.
In case of purchase, if the city desired, I will take charge of the water works the first year free of charge
and would agree to superintend them for five years at a nominal salary of $300 per year (if I am well and living in the city during that period), providing the operation and control of the water works are placed in a Water Board of three, appointed by the mayor who shall have full and absolute management without interference or dictation from the council itself and that Mr. AYER and Mr. MITCHELL be continued in charge of the operation. Under these conditions I would agree that the present relative proportion of receipts and expenses will remain as good or better during the next five years. In fact, the proportion of expenses should decrease if the water works are not hampered by politics.
              BELOIT WATER WORKS Co.,
              C. B. SALMON, Sec'y. and Treas.
MEMORANDUM OF WATERWORKS PROPERTY.
WEST SIDE PUMPING STATION.
    Real estate about three and a half acres, fronting 400 ft on the main head [continue to Page 77]

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