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CHAPTER XXVIII.

GAS AND LIGHT.

Sec. 502. General control and government—by committee.

The Standing Committee of the Council on gas and light shall
have control and general government of the city's gas plant, and
the lighting of the city, and shall authorize the employment of
such help as may be necessary to carry on the work of the department,
and to regulate their wages, authorize the purchase of
coal and other supplies in accordance with § 12 of the ordinances.
They shall prescribe what mains and service pipe shall be laid and
what extensions and repairs are to be made.

Sec. 503. Annual reports—when and how made.

The committee shall at the regular meeting of the Council
in each year submit a report and account for the preceding
fiscal year showing the following:

a. The amount expended in construction, extensions, improvements,
and renewals.

b. The amount expended for coal and other materials entering
into the production of gas.

c. The amount expended for salaries, labor, and commissions
to Treasurer.

d. Amount of current expenses—such as general repairs, insurance,
and interest at 4 per centum per annum on the value of
the plant, and for depreciation on the value of the plant at such
rate as may hereafter be fixed by the Council as fair and equitable.

e. Amount received from sales of gas and other products and
articles, each separately and from all sources. Value of gas used
for municipal purposes, and also value of gas for free consumption;
such value being based on the net price then ruling.

f. The net gain or loss for the year, and impart to the Council
any information in relation to the works which they may
deem important.

Sec. 504. Election of superintendent, assistant, salary,
etc.

There shall be elected by the Council at the time and in the
manner prescribed for the election of other officers by the Council
a Superintendent, and an Assistant Superintendent for the
Gas and Light Department, whose terms of office shall be for two
years (except in cases of vacancy), and until their successors
are elected and qualified, unless sooner removed for cause, as
provided for in the ordinances. Before entering upon the duties
of their offices, they shall give bond payable to the city of Charlottesville,
with approved security conditioned according to law
for the faithful performance of their duties, in amounts specified
in section 44. For services rendered they shall be paid in
monthly installments, such salary as may be fixed by the Council.

Sec. 505. Superintendent—to pass examination.

No person shall be eligible to the office of Superintendent
until he shall have been certified to as having proper technical
knowledge and experience as a competent and practical gas
manufacturer, after an examination by a board of three experienced
manufacturers of gas to be designated by the Committee
on Gas and Light, the president of the Council and the
Mayor. The expense of this board of examiners shall be paid
by the city and any person having passed such examination and
having served thereafter as Superintendent of Gas of this city,
shall be eligible for re-election without further examination.

Sec. 506. Assistant superintendent to have two years'
experience, etc.

No person shall be eligible to the office of Assistant Superintendent
without having had at least two years' experience in the
manufacturing of gas, and shall further pass an examination
to be given by the Superintendent as to his knowledge and
fitness for the position.

Sec. 507. Superintendent—his duties and powers.

The Superintendent, subject to the control of the committee,
shall have general charge of all grounds, buildings, fixtures and
pipes connected with the Gas Department. He shall carefully

inspect all parts of the work and have the same in good order,
and in proper operation, and the gas furnished of as good quality
as practicable, with promptness and regularity, at the city
buildings and to all persons entitled to its use under the provisions
hereinafter contained.

Sec. 508. Superintendent—employment and control of
help.

Subject to the consent of the committee, the Superintendent
may employ such help for carrying on the work of this department,
in all of its details, in an economical and satisfactory
manner, and over all such employees he shall have absolute
control. He shall pay his employees such wages as are usual and
necessary in the opinion of the committee, but the pay of no employee
shall at any time be increased by the committee in an
amount exceeding one hundred dollars per annum without first
obtaining authority therefor from the City Council in due form.

Sec. 509. Pay rolls.

The Superintendent shall cause to be kept accurately the time
of each employee in his department, and make up all pay rolls
therefrom weekly, giving their names, kind of work performed,
rate per day, and amount due each, made out so as to show what
is chargeable to current expenses, and what to construction in
its several branches. After first having such pay rolls approved
by the chairman of the committee, he shall deliver them to the
Treasurer, who shall pay to each employee whatever may be due
him according to said pay roll.

Sec. 510. Superintendent to make purchases, etc.

Subject to the control of the committee, and in accordance
with the rules of the Council governing purchases for the city,
the Superintendent may purchase such materials, tools and other
articles at such times and in such quantities as may be necessary.

Sec. 511. Bills—how approved and paid.

All bills for supplies, or other articles shall be paid monthly,
unless otherwise agreed, by warrant of the Auditor drawn on
the Treasurer of the city; but before any bills are paid they

shall be certified to as correct by the Superintendent and approved
by the chairman of the committee.

Sec. 512. Superintendent to keep books of record,
monthly report.

He shall each day enter, or cause to be entered, in a book
provided for that purpose, the quantity of coal and other materials
used in making gas, and shall keep strict account of the
gas passing into the gasometer and out of the gasometer into the
mains. At the end of each month he shall make a report to the
committee, showing the quantity of coal and other materials
used in making gas, the quantity of gas made, the quantity passing
into the mains, and the quantity sold, as ascertained by taking
a statement of all the meters, and thus be able to show the
loss sustained by evaporation, condensation and leakage. Also
of coal purchased and carbonized, amount of gas, coke and
tar produced, sold, consumed or used. He shall also cause to
be kept in a neat and accurate manner, all necessary books
showing in detail all disbursements, properly classified under
proper heads for coal and other materials, salaries, labor, and
other current expenses, also for construction in its several
branches, and all official papers and records from which the
committee and Council may at any time receive a clear and intelligent
idea of its management.

Sec. 513. Superintendent—quarterly and annual reports.

He shall render to the committee for the use of the council
a quarterly report showing, the quantity of coal purchased, and
carbonized during the quarter, the quantity on hand at beginning
and end of quarter, amount of gas, coke and tar produced,
sold, consumed or used, and amount on hand at beginning and
end of quarter, to enable the committee and council to ascertain
as accurately as possible the percentage of coke necessary for
firing the benches and the percentage of coke and tar to be
accounted for by sale, and the unaccounted-for gas. The said Superintendent
shall also make such reports to the Auditor of the
city, and do such other things prescribed in the chapter of the
ordinances defining the duties of said Auditor and Superintendent

as are applicable and appropriate to him as such Superintendent.

The Superintendent shall annually on the first day of each fiscal
year, or as soon thereafter as possible, submit to the committee for
the use of the Council a summary of his quarterly reports of the
manufacturing operation of the plant, also a report of the expenditures
for the year; said report or account shall be made
out so as to show the current expenses, properly classified, and
for construction in its several branches, together with such
recommendation for the improvement of the property and
service as may appear to him expedient and necessary. He
shall also file with his annual report an inventory of all materials,
tools, etc., on hand, stating their condition and value.
He shall furthermore furnish all other statements, reports or
estimates that may be called for at any time by the Council or
Committee on Gas and Light.

Sec. 514. Map of mains.

The Superintendent shall keep in his office a map showing
the location of the gas mains, their course, length and size of
each of them, and when there is an extension of the mains,
shall, after the work is done, report said extension or change
to the city engineer who shall properly mark same on said
map. He shall also keep a book in his office, in which shall be
entered a list of all the gas mains, giving their location, size
and length, and as far as practicable, the date on which the
different pipes were laid.

Sec. 515. Record of curb cocks and meters in use.

He shall also keep a book showing the location and size of
curbstone stop cocks, the size and character of service pipe,
and as far as practicable, the date on which it was put in and
the name of the plumber who did the work. Also a list of gas
meters in use, showing number stamped on each, size and manufacturer's
name.

Sec. 516. Tenants to give one day's notice of intention
to move.

The tenant of any premises shall give one day's notice when
about to remove, that gas may be stopped or he shall remain liable

for any gas that may pass through the meter until notice be
given. All gas passing through meters will be charged for,
whether used or wasted, even though the house or premises
may not be occupied.

Sec. 517. Connections for non-residents.

The Superintendent is hereby authorized and empowered to
furnish non-residents with gas without submitting same to the
Council when the petitioner shall have signed the form of agreement
usually required of non-resident gas takers, and which is as
follows:

FORM OF AGREEMENT.

We the undersigned patrons of the Gas Department of the
City of Charlottesville, Va., residing outside of the limits of
said city, in consideration of being allowed to become patrons
of that department, do hereby agree and bind ourselves to conform
and be subject to all the laws, rules, ordinances, regulations
and penalties now in force or which may be hereafter
adopted in and by said city in regard to plumbing, use of
gas, damage to pipes, interference with or damage to gas
meters, pipes, etc., that the Council may adopt with reference
to furnishing gas to patrons residing inside of the city limits;
and we further agree that the Council of said city reserves to
itself the right to discontinue supplying gas to the undersigned
at any time hereafter upon ninety days' notice to us of its intention
so to do, and upon such discontinuance we shall make
no complaint and have no claim for damages for such discontinuance
or for any other matter growing out of our patronage
of the Gas Department hereunder.

Sec. 518. Gas to be supplied by meters.

Gas will be supplied by meter, but should the meter be found
defective, they will be immediately changed, and in case of their
ceasing to register the quantity of gas consumed, will be estimated
by the average of a correct meter, or by the amount charged
during a previous corresponding period at the discretion of the
committee, and the committee may require payment in advance,
or security for payment, to protect the city against loss.

Sec. 519. Prepayment meters.

Prepayment meters may be installed by the Superintendent
whenever in his opinion it is to the interest of the city to do so.

Sec. 520. Idle meters.

Any idle meter may be removed at the discretion of the Superintendent,
but no such meter shall remain connected with the
service pipes for a longer period than twelve months.

Sec. 521. Reading of meters.

The Superintendent shall cause to be taken from all meters
and kept in a book for that purpose, a record of the quantity
of gas consumed every month, and make out monthly against
all private consumers, bills due the city for gas, and turn over
the same to the Auditor to be checked up by him in time to be
in the hands of the Treasurer for collection not later than the
first day of each month. And from meters used by the city's
several departments, and by free consumers the amount of gas
consumed at least every three months, and keep a record of
same in a book for that purpose.

Sec. 522. Price of gas.

The price of gas shall be $1.25 for each thousand cubic feet
consumed. This charge is, however, subject to a discount of
ten per cent. if paid on or before the 10th day of the month in
which the bill is presented, but in the event of the 10th day of the
month falling on Sunday, the usual discount shall be allowed
on all bills paid on the day following.

Sec. 523. Collection of delinquent bills.

It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to furnish to the Superintendent
a list of all delinquent bills immediately at the close
of the discount period, who shall within 5 days cut off the connection
of each delinquent, and in no case shall he again turn
on the connection until notified by the Treasurer that the delinquent
bill has been paid. For any failure on the part of the
Treasurer to so notify the Superintendent he shall be held personally
responsible for the bill. The Treasurer is hereby required
to use due diligence in collecting all delinquent bills, and,
after a reasonable time, if he is unable to collect said bills he

shall place same in hands of the City Constable or other collector
for collection.

Sec. 524. Deposit may be required.

The Superintendent may, whenever he deems it expedient,
require security for the payment of gas likely to be consumed
or the deposit of a sum in advance sufficient to secure the city
against loss. He may also have the right to cut off the service
pipe, if he finds it necessary to do so, in order to protect the
works against abuse or fraud.

Sec. 525. Interference with or removal of meters or
fixtures.

No person or firm except an officer or agent authorized by
the city shall at any time remove or undertake to repair or in
way interfere with any gas meter or fixtures connected therewith
under a penalty of not less than $2 nor more than $10
for each offense.

Sec. 526. Expense of repairs, etc., to be borne by consumers.

All repairs or replacement of meters caused by the carelessness,
neglect or interference of gas consumers, shall be made
by the city at the expense of the gas taker or landlord.

Sec. 527. Meters to be kept in good repair.

The Superintendent shall have the gas meters kept in order,
and have all repairs made to same as far as practicable. He
shall not be required to remove and test meters or substitute
new meters, at the demand of gas takers unless he has good
reason to believe such meters to be inaccurate.

Sec. 528. Complaints against gas bills.

Complaint against the gas bill shall not be taken as a proper
excuse for complainant not paying said bill when due or exempt
him from the imposition of penalties for failure to pay
his bill at the proper time.

Sec. 529. Loss of gas at fires to be protected.

It shall be the duty of the Superintendent himself, and such
other men as may be employed about the works whom he may

from time to time designate, to attend at places where from
fire or other cause there in danger of loss of gas by burning or
waste, with a stop cock key and pliers to shut off the gas,
remove meters, or do anything else proper for the safety of the
property belonging to the city, connected with the gas works.

Sec. 530. Examination of meters and fixtures.

The Superintendent shall at all times be in readiness to examine
gas apparatus and premises of subscribers free of charge
on receiving one day's notice.

Sec. 531. Sale of coke.

No coke shall be sold, delivered, or shipped by the Superintendent,
or any of his subordinates to any one without a written
order from the City Treasurer, stating that he has received
payment for the quantity called for in said order. Such orders
shall be charged against the Treasurer in a book kept for that
purpose, stating the date, quantity and amount of such order.
At the end of each month the Superintendent shall have said
orders checked up on his coke book by the Auditor and if
found correct, said orders shall be delivered to the Auditor
and by him checked against the books of the Treasurer.

Sec. 532. Sale and shipments of tar.

Same rule as to sale of tar at the works, as prescribed for
sale of coke in the foregoing section, shall apply; but, for all
shipments of tar from the city, a statement of quantity and
price at which it has been sold must be delivered by the Superintendent
to the Auditor as soon as the shipment has been made
and by him billed to the party to whom shipped, said bill to be
marked "Remittance to be made and payable to the Treasurer of
the City of Charlottesville." The amount of such bill to be
charged to the Treasurer by the Auditor.

Sec. 533. Assistant superintendent—his duties and
powers.

In the performance of his duties as such, he shall be subject
to the general supervision and control of the Superintendent
and Committee on Gas and Light. He shall perform such work
as properly pertains to the position as may be required of him
by said Superintendent or Committee.

Sec. 534. Same—to act as superintendent in his absence.

In the absence of the Superintendent by disability or otherwise,
he shall have charge of the gas works, the employees
under him, and perform the duties of the Superintendent and
during such period, shall follow the general practices in its
management as were pursued by the Superintendent, and the
provisions of these ordinances. He shall make no change or
discharge any employee without the approval of the Committee.

Sec. 535. Gas inspector.

The Superintendent of Gas and Light shall be Gas Inspector,
and his decision with reference to all gas fittings, fixtures, etc.,
shall be final.

Sec. 536. Connections for gas fitters.

No connections from main pipes for gas fitters to work from
will be made by the city for any persons who are not practical
gas fitters, and in whom the Superintendent does not have confidence
as men of experience and reliability, and repeated failure
as gas fitters to comply with the requirement of the laws
and regulations of the city will be sufficient reason to refuse
to make connections for them to work from the street mains.

Sec. 537. Gas fitters not to allow use of name by
others.

No gas fitter shall allow his name to be used by any other
person or firm for the purpose of doing any work in connection
with this department under his permit, neither shall any gas
fitter loan to gas takers or others, any key for turning on or
off gas, except in urgent cases when damage is being done by
broken pipes or fixtures, under a penalty of not less than $2
nor more than $10 for each offense.

Sec. 538. Gas connections to be made by city.

All gas connections from gas mains to the buildings including
the setting of all meters and repairs in the street shall be
done by the Gas Department at the expense of same.

Sec. 539. Repairs to services to be made at expense of
city.

All repairs to pipes and fixtures in the streets, from main to
meter, shall be done by the city at its own expense, and no person,
except an employee of the city, shall under any circumstances
be allowed to open a street or in any way interfere with
the gas pipes in the street. A violation of this section shall
subject the offender to a fine of not less than $2 nor more
than $20.

Sec. 540. Curbstone stop cock boxes.

A cast iron stop cock box of a style approved by the Superintendent,
not exceeding two and one-half inches in diameter,
shall be placed over the curbstone stop cock, extending from the
service pipe to the surface of the sidewalk, for turning off or on
the stop. Such box shall have a close fitting iron top, having the
word gas thereon, which shall be securely fastened in the box
and protected against being filled up or obstructed.

Sec. 541. Injury to meters and fixtures.

Any person who shall deface or injure any house meter, or
other fixture connected with the gas works, shall for each offense
forfeit and pay not less than $5 nor more than $20,
to be recovered by warrant with cost.

Sec. 542. Unauthorized additions to pipes and fixtures
and the introduction of gas therein.

Any person or persons who shall open a communication into
the street gas main or other gas pipe of the gas works without
authority, or who shall let on the gas after it has been stopped,
by order of the Department, for repairs or any other purpose, or
who shall put up any pipes or burners, in addition to the pipes or
burners put up and inspected, or introduce gas into them without
authority as aforesaid, shall be subject to a penalty of not
less than $5 nor more than $20 for each offense.

Sec. 543. Permit to disconnect or open for alterations
or repairs.

After the admission of gas into the fittings, they must not be

disconnected or opened, either for alteration or repairs, without
a written permit from the Superintendent, which may be obtained
at the office of the Gas Department free of expense. Any
plumber, gas fitter or other person who shall violate this regulation
shall be subject to a penalty of not less than $5 nor more
than $20 for each and every offense.

Sec. 544. Permit for piping houses.

Any gas fitter desiring to pipe a house shall, before beginning
work on same, submit to the Superintendent a plan showing the
location and size of pipe to be used; if such plan is in accordance
with the rules of the department, the Superintendent will issue
a permit therefor, and the gas fitter will be allowed to proceed with
his work. Any gas fitter failing to comply with this requirement
shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $20.

Sec. 545. Test of work to be made when completed.

When the gas fitter completes his work, he shall notify the
Superintendent, who will make a test of all the pipes, and if the
same is completed in a satisfactory manner, will issue a certificate
to that effect. All instruments, material and labor for making
this test shall be furnished by the gas fitter.

Sec. 546. Sizes and length of tubing and number of
burners.

The relative sizes and length of tubing and the proportions of
meters introduced for consumers shall be according to the following
table:

                 

SIZE OF TUBING.	GREATEST LENGTH ALLOWED.	GREATEST NUMBER OF BURNERS.
⅜ inch	20 feet	3 burners
½ inch	30 feet	6 burners
⅝ inch	40 feet	12 burners
¾ inch	50 feet	20 burners
1 inch	70 feet	35 burners
1 ¼ inch	100 feet	60 burners
1 ½ inch	150 feet	100 burners
2 inch	200 feet	200 burners

Sec. 547. Right of access to premises.

The authorized agent of the Department shall have the right
of free access into the premises, into which a service pipe is laid
whether gas is being used or not, for the purpose of examining
the whole gas apparatus, or for the removal of the meter and
service pipe.

Sec. 548. Turning on or using gas without authority.

If any person not acting under the authority of the Superintendent
shall turn on gas in any premises whatsoever, or if any
person shall take, receive, or use said gas without authority from
the department, he shall pay a fine of not less than $5 nor more
than $20 for each offense.

Sec. 549. Obstructions.

If any person shall place any building material, rubbish, or
other matter on the stop cock of the street main, or service pipe,
or obstruct any fixture connected with the Gas Department, or
remove or injure any pipe or open same so as to waste the gas,
he shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $20 for each
offense.

Sec. 550. Further rules and regulations—by committee.

The committee may make from time to time such further rules
and regulations for furnishing gas to private consumers as they
may deem proper, same to take effect when approved by the
Council.

Sec. 551. Free gas.

In every case in which it may be deemed expedient to grant the
free use of gas, the Council shall specify the amount to be contributed
and an appropriation made annually to cover same, and
any gas used in excess of said appropriation shall be charged for
and collected from the institution or person using such free gas,
at such price as is charged private consumers.

Sec. 552. Superintendent to deliver all books and papers
to successor.

When the term of office of the Superintendent expires, his
official books and papers shall be delivered by him to his successor,
or disposed of in such manner as the Council or committee
may direct.