Village Board Minutes, July and August 1917
July 2
Proposed tax rate for 1917 to be $1.34 per $100 of assessed valuation. This will bring in a total of $30, 395.89, to be divided among all the funds:
General fund 8, 376.78
Water fund 3, 029.39
Sewer fund 6, 657.73
Street fund 5, 680.56
Drainage Sewer fund 1, 606.85
Fire fund 1, 472.42
Light fund 2, 589.23
Health fund 982.93
Approved
Village Treasurer Nelson H. Toll read the list of street assessments, due May 1st, which remain unpaid. It was resolved that these assessments, representing the fifth installment of the assessment for paving, curbing and grading Mohawk Avenue and Schon-o-we Ave. (formerly the Dike) and the third installment of the assessment for paving, curbing and grading Ballston St., be added to the tax levy for those properties for 1917, as well as any unpaid assessments from 1916 [corrections had been made to the 1916 list].
The Village Clerk will order fifty 5/8-inch Keystone Water meters from the Pittsburgh Water Company, as per contract.
Ellis B. Edgar to be paid $1,967.58 as 85% of the work is done on the sewer contract.
Report of State Underwriters Association on survey of Water and Fire Departments was read. Referred to Board of Fire Commissioners and Water Committee for comment and suggestions.
Read report and approved plans with permit received from State Department of Health for new outlet sewer system. Orders to complete the work by Oct. 1, so Village Engineer should submit estimate at once. The proposition will be sent by letter to the tax payers who can vote on it at the next regular meeting of the Board.
Payroll approved. Bills submitted for approval and payment.
At end of these minutes appears the list of delinquent taxpayers [3 typed pages].
July 16
Financial matters concerning special street fund and outstanding Village bonds.
State Commissioner of Health has ordered changes to the Village Sewer System, cost $11,000; money will need to be borrowed. Special election will be held August 4 to vote on the proposition.
[The improvements are to construct a screening chamber and outfall sewer, beginning at the intersection of Schon-o-we Avenue and Washington Avenue, extending through Iroquois Street to a point 10 feet beyond the property line of the NY Central RR, through the Sanders property to a point on the north bank of the Mohawk River, about 50 feet east of the NY Central RR bridge.]
Payroll and bills approved to be paid.
August 1
Financial matters concerning the special street funds, moving money between various accounts, borrowing money in anticipation of taxes, and paying Ellis B. Edgar on his sewer contract. Approval for payment to the State Highway repair fund. Partial payment to G.E. Van Vorst for plumbing at the Village house at the pumping station. Payment to be made to the NY Central RR Co as refund for an erroneous tax, as ordered by the Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Complaints have been made about the condition of the shade trees in the Village: the Street Commissioner has found many trees obstructing the free and proper use of the streets. RESOLVED, that all trees in the Village of Scotia 5 inches or more in diameter at the butt shall be trimmed to a height of 14 feet above the roadway and 12 feet above the sidewalk, that all trees in said Village less than five inches in diameter at the butt shall be trimmed to a height of 12 feet above the roadway and 10 feet above the sidewalk, that such trees shall be trimmed as stated above, by the owner of the adjoining land, within 10 days after notice so to do by the Street Commissioner?.or his representative and in case of failure on the part of the property owner to trim said trees the street commissioner is hereby directed to cause same to be trimmed and expense incurred in so doing to be assessed against the adjoining land.
Payroll and bills submitted and approved to be paid.
August 6
Special meeting regarding the sewer project. [The project was approved in the special election on August 4.] Procedure and details of the bidding process were set up.
August 20
One bid for the sewer proposal was received from Ellis B. Edgar, action deferred.
Financial matters related to sewer projects.
Village Clerk instructed to purchase 10,000 sets of Village Water bill forms.
Payroll and bills submitted and approved to be paid.
F.F. Lamboy [Superintendent of Water & Sewers and Plumbing Inspector] may employ an additional assistant at an expense not to exceed $75 per month.
August 22
W.W. Chadsey, Village Engineer, has worked with the State Department of Health to change the plans for the sewer improvements, which will reduce the cost.
Ellis B. Edgar submitted the only bid, which was approved.
Details about his contract and about issuing Village bonds to pay for the project.
The Village President will procure the right-of-way for the sewer project from L.T.B. and L. Sanders [finances discussed].
Mr. Chadsey will be allowed a fee of 10% of the project cost for engineering work and supervision.