50 years ago: Lincoln closer on sewer rate increase

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) Sewer rates: An increase in sewer rates moved a step closer to becoming reality Tuesday evening as the Lincoln City Council approved a 3-1 vote after the first reading of an ordinance setting the charges. If the ordinance is approved when it is read for the second time before the council at a future meeting, rates for residential units and other units in the town would increase to $2.50, effective Nov. 1. Those already paying $2.50 because they have more than one toilet will not have their rates increased. The second rate change would then go into effect July 1, 1976, when the per-unit charge goes from $2.50 per month to $5.00. The citizens' sewer committee is scheduled to review the rates and related material in April to determine whether that rate could be lowered. Under the provisions of the ordinance presented by City Attorney William Holliman, churches would be considered as one unit, each individual residential dwelling would be one unit, service stations would be two units, businesses that use the city sewer system only for toilets would be charged for one unit for every 10 employees and trailer parks would be assessed one unit for every trailer lot. Bars would be charged one unit for every 60 seats while restaurants would be charged one unit for every 20 seats. Schools would be responsible for paying a unit per month for every 12 students and employees. Earlier, the citizens committee recommended the businesses be charged according to a rate set down in a separate ordinance. Holliman pointed out to the council it would be much more effective if the basic unit rates were established by ordinance and that council resolutions be used to establish rates in instances that are not covered by the ordinance. Industrial disposal charges would be based on a staff recommendation on which the council would set the rate by resolution after reviewing the case. The ordinance, as read, included the sliding scale for connection fees that start out at $300 this year with increases of $25 increments until 1984, when the connection fee would reach $525. The proposed ordinance calls for one unit of connect fees for motels and other multiple unit structures that have four or less plumbing fixtures. For each additional fixture, another quarter of the connection charge would be added. Provisions are made in the ordinance to charge units that utilize a lift station for the maintenance of that station an additional charge to their sewer rates, and to establish fees for users outside the city limits. If the ordinance goes into effect Nov. 1, the user's rate for those connected to the system outside the city limits would drop from $8.55 per month to $4. On July 1, 1976, that rate would go to $8 per month. Councilman Nello Stefani, who voted against the proposed ordinance, contended the user fees should be made lower yet by taking into consideration the money the city would gain when it sells the present sewerage treatment plant site. Councilman Mick McCartney pointed out the committee would review the ordinance and the rates in April and that they requested to check into whether the sale of land, when it does occur, would affect the rates. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) Nov. 2, 1892: Trustee John Haenny had several suggestions for the improvement of the town, one of which was to provide water works for fire purposes. These suggestions were received with favor and a motion made that the entire board act as a committee to take preliminary steps toward securing water for fire purposes. On Feb. 14, 1893, a Resolution of Intention No. 5 to provide water was adopted. The preamble of this Resolution stated, "Whereas public interest and convenience require that a better and more plentiful supply of water be procured for general use within the municipality," etc., etc. The clerk was directed to advertise for bids to bore a six-inch well, 1,000 feet deep at such place as the Board of Trustees may direct. Advertisements for bids were ordered published in Sacramento and San Francisco papers as well as the Lincoln paper. Bids were received from well-boring outfits as far south as Los Angeles. In the meantime, the town had purchased the west 50 feet of Lot 2, Block 29, from L. Hickey for the purpose of building a town hall, and it was on these premises the well was bored after A.J. Gladding, President of the Board, had given a committee full power to act. Evidently, the well was bored by day labor, as numerous bills were presented with notation "labor on well." On Feb. 5, 1894, a complete report was spread on the minutes, a report that covered several full pages. This report showed that at this date the well was about 356 feet deep and 354¾ feet of it tubed with 6" standard gas pipe. The drilling machine had been in actual use putting down the well 48½ days. Several delays were reported on account of quick sand running in and inability to get proper tubing. Several very hard ledges were encountered and had to be drilled through, varying from 10 inches to five feet in thickness. Between them were layers of clay and sand of various colors. Just above the 340-foot level, a bed of coarse sand 27 feet deep was gone through. This contained quite a stream of good water which raised to a level of 20 inches above the surface. The amount, however, was insufficient. The committee was optimistic, however, that an abundance of water would be found. The total expenditure to date was $1,074.79. The committee was empowered to proceed for another week and cease at the end of that time until further action of the board. Evidently, sufficient water could not be obtained and the project was abandoned. Ultimately, the committee went to the South Yuba Water Company in Auburn. They agreed to furnish the Town of Lincoln the amount of water required, which was estimated at about 10 inches, which amount would be about 170,000 gallons per day. This volume of water could be obtained within two miles of the Burdge Hotel, 5th and G Streets, at 150-pound pressure allowing for all friction and resistance, 100-pound pressure at any part of town or 40 pounds to the square inch. Note: This article written by Mrs. Mabel Ahart. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910, and 1920) Sidewalks: During the installation of Lincoln's $100,000 water system, the sidewalks facing dwelling and business houses were somewhat "mutilated" in making pipe connections. It seems to be the general impression the contractor or town should be responsible for the repair of the damaged sidewalks. Such, however, is not the case. The property owner is responsible for the condition of his sidewalk to the curb line, and the water system contract calls only for the laying of pipe and connection at the curb line. These damaged sidewalks must be repaired at the expense of the property owner. Fruit: The Lincoln Fruit Growers have packed and shipped 90 cars of deciduous fruits from their packing house thus far this season, with a prospect of a couple more cars going out within the next week. Last year, the company shipped 51 cars of fruit. Ninety cars is a good, substantial gain over last year. The Stewart Fruit Company has shipped 50 cars to date. This company also shipped one car of Alicante wine grapes, netting $100 per ton, and one car of Rose Peru and Blue Malvoise wine grapes, at $70 per ton, all f.o.b. (free on board) Lincoln. The Stewart Company will ship about 30 cars of oranges the coming season, and the Lincoln Fruit Growers will ship some 30 cars of oranges.