PHILLIPS LEE GOLDSBOROUGH, GOVERNOR. 375

be first secured where the cost of such extension, addition or
improvement exceed Five Hundred ($500) Dollars; and pro-
vided 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 con-
tract shall be awarded to the lowest bidder, based on the speci-
fications 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 resolution, approved
by the Mayor and Council of Easton, and provided further 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 hear-
ings, when practicable, as may be desired by the citizens. The
Commission shall within ten days after being appointed organ-
ize by electing one of their number President, and also a Sec-
retary 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 suc-
cessors. No bills or expenses incurred in the management and
operation of said plants shall be paid except by check of the
Treasurer countersigned by the President, after said bills, ex-
cept authorized weekly payrolls and minor expenses of the
plants, shall have been approved and ordered paid by the Com-
mission. The Treasurer shall have charge of all revenues aris-
ing from the various plants or systems under the control of the
Commission, but all bank accounts of such funds shall be in
the name and to the credit of the Easton 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 Commission or the Mayor and Council, he shall furnish
any information desired. The Treasurer shall give such bond
for the faithful performance of his duties as the Mayor and