45Y6 ARTICLE 21.

which may be due said Commission, or for the performance of con-
tracts made with the Commission; to purchase material, employ all such
assistants, skilled or unskilled, and labor as may be necessary for the
proper performance of the duties of this Commission, and to fix their
compensation; to make such rules and regulations for the management
of the various utilities under their charge and for their own government
as they may deem proper; to make extensions, additions or improvements
to the plants or systems, provided the approval of the Mayor and Council
shall be first secured where the cost of such extension, addition or improve-
ment exceed Five Hundred ($500) Dollars; and provided that where the
aggregate cost of any extension, addition or improvement shall exceed
Two Hundred ($200) Dollars, the Commission shall secure competitive
bids for the purchase of all materials for the use of any and all of the
plants or systems under their control, including fuel for the boilers, and
the contract shall be awarded to the lowest bidder, based on the specifica-
tions upon which the respective bids are invited; to fix and revise rates,
provided that no revision of the rates, in existence at the time the several
plants come under the control of the Commission, shall become effective,
nor any other rates which may thereafter be made until, by formal resolu-
tion, approved by the Mayor and Council of Easton, and provided fur-
ther that the Commission shall give at least 15 days' previous notice by
publication in one or more newspapers published in the town of Easton
of the proposed revision of rates, and grant such hearings, when prac-
ticable, as may be desired by the citizens. The Commission shall within
ten days after being appointed organize by electing one of their number
President, and also a Secretary and a Treasurer, either or both of the last
named may or not be members of said Commission, and the same person
may hold both offices and shall serve for one year or until the appointment
and qualification of his or their successor or successors. No bills or ex-
penses incurred in the management and operation of said plant shall be
paid except by check of the Treasurer countersigned by the President,
after said bills, except authorized weekly payrolls and minor expenses of
the plants, shall have been approved and ordered paid by the Commission.
The Treasurer shall have charge of all revenues arising from the various
plants or systems under the control of the Commission, but all bank ac-
counts of such funds shall be in the name and to the credit of the Eastern
Utilities Commission. He shall keep a separate and accurate account of
all receipts and disbursements and keep separate deposit accounts of each
fund of the several Utilities and shall annually on or before the first day
of February make a complete and detailed report for the fiscal year, which
shall begin on January 1st and end on December 31st of each year, which
shall be audited by such committee or person as may be appointed by the
Mayor and Council, and at such other times as he may be required to do so
by the Cormmission or the Mayor and Council, he shall furnish any infor-
mation desired. The Treasurer shall give such bond for the faithful per-
formance of his duties as the Mayor and Council shall require, the cost
of which shall be paid by the Commission, and at the expiration of his