USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Chambersburg > Annual report of the burgess and town council of the borough of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 1935 > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01885 1409
Murray E. Kauffman Metal Finishing 2110 Lincoln Way East Chambersburg, Pa. 17201
ANNUAL REPORT
GC 974.802 C34AR, 1935-1940
of the BURGESS AND TOWN COUNCIL of THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG PENNSYLVANIA
For the Year Ending December 31, 1935
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This Pamphlet is published for the benefit of the citizens of Chambersburg, that they may become better acquainted with those vital things in our community that go to make Cham- bersburg a better place in which to live.
$
ANNUAL REPORT
of the BURGESS AND TOWN COUNCIL of THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG PENNSYLVANIA
For the Year Ending December 31, 1935
....
FOR THE YEAR from JANUARY 1, 1935, TO DECEMBER 31, 1935 Being THE ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SECOND SINCE INCORPORATED AS A BOROUGH
STATEMENT BY H. STANLEY APPENZELLAR, PRESIDENT OF TOWN COUNCIL
The tempo of living-politically, economically, and socially-has been so swift with a constantly increased acceleration during the past several decades, that even those most actively engaged and interested and best informed are left in a state of bewilderment not only what of real and enduring value has been accomplished, but as to the number and extent of the accomplishments themselves. Especially does this hold true of the period covered by the depression, or the years January, 1930, to January, 1936, inclusive. It may be well, therefore, for us to review, as briefly as the subject will permit, at least those works which are usually designated as permanent works that have been completed by the Borough of Chambersburg during this period. In this manner we can reacquaint ourselves with the variety and magnitude of our public works and appraise their value in the betterment of our community life.
It is an axiom more true in municipal life even than in individual lives that our work is never done or completed. No matter what the Borough's accomplishments have been in the past (and they have been many and great) today and tomorrow always lay down the challenge of more and greater services. Replacements of wornout and outmoded equipment, together with betterments and extension of existent and construction of new services, make constant demands on our financial resources. In addition, in the period under present survey, the providing of relief measures for the unemployed had to be met and the cost to the Borough in its share of these measures is represented by a very sub- stantial outlay of money.
Even before Federal and State relief agencies were created and began to function, the Borough of Chambersburg operated a relief pro- ject of its very own. In 1931 it registered between seven and eight hundred of its unemployed citizens and gave them employment. The rate of pay was 30c per hour and the number of hours per week afforded each worker was based upon the number of those dependent on him. This Borough relief measure was very successful both in securing an adequate return for each dollar spent and in providing the relief neces- sary to each according to his need. In operation it handled the unem- ployed from all walks of life-the man from the shop, the office, the store, the professions and the labor mart. Each was required to give an honest day's work according to his ability, the nature of the work being principally that with pick and shovel. A man formerly from an office was not expected nor required to do as much as the one accustomed to hard manual labor. Nor was the man accustomed to hard work per- mitted to reduce his efforts so as to only match the output of the fellow who was "soft" and yet doing his best. A few who refused to work by these standards were early eliminated and never reemployed. In this way matters adjusted themselves and each man was out each day giving faithful service.
The principal relief work undertaken by the Borough was the Smith Alley storm sewer. A concrete box type, for much of its length four feet square, with sides and top 9-inches thick of reinforced concrete, it reaches from the Conococheague Creek at the West end of Washing- ton Street to a point near the Eastern limits of town. All along its route numerous inlets into it are provided. Feeding into it are also many concrete box and concrete pipe laterals, reaching out like so many fingers. Altogether the length of this trunk storm sewer and its branches is 6,756.5 feet. This system drains most of the area in the
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Southern and South-eastern sections of the town and its provision was long and urgently needed. Its cost, wholly provided from Borough funds, was $28,942.88 and it was completed in 1932. With no intent of introducing a controversial statement, but to state with pardonable pride a fact readily substantiated from the records, this piece of con- struction shows a cost per unit of work done impressively lower than any project completed in the Borough by any of the relief agencies set up since.
The Federal and State relief plans started to function in the Fall of 1932 with "Food Order" payment for work done under relief. This system was terminated in November, 1933, and was supplanted by the C. W. A. (Civil Works Administration) which continued to April, 1934. C. W. A. was supplanted by L. W. D. (Labor Works Division), this system being terminated in September, 1934, to be followed by the W. D. (Works Division). W. D. had its exit in September, 1935, and was followed by the W. P. A. (Works Progress Administration) which is the relief agency in operation at the present time. In the transition from one to another of these set-ups, a number of projects but partially com- pleted were abandoned by the works relief agency and were completed by the Borough at its own cost. Each succeeding agency was less efficient in measure of work done for dollars expended. In this respect, the "Food Order" system was the most efficient. Under its plan of operation, the Borough could use these men on any public work, either of maintenance or construction, under its own supervision and with the power to place the men in numbers and at places where the best results could be ob- tained. In addition to these work relief agencies, in which the Federal and State Government furnished the wages and the Borough supplied the materials, equipment, and engineering, the Federal Government made outright cash grants to certain types of permanent construction embracing "heavy industry" equipment. These projects were largely done by contract and under Borough supervision in the Light Depart- ment. This Federal agency is called the P. W. A. (Public Works Administration).
In this six year period we are considering, the principal improve- ments to the Borough Light Plant consisted of the installation of pul- verizing equipment which permits the use of coal sizes not generally commercially desirable and consequently at a considerably cheaper cost. This necessitated change in the boilers to permit combustion of this fine coal (no grates used) and at the same time additional boilers were installed. The whole system of firing the boilers was thereby changed from hand stoking to automatic stoking, increasing the boiler capacity from 1420 to 2840 B. H. P. and effecting large savings in fuel costs and boiler operation. The other large installation at the Light Plant was a 2500 K. W. Turbo Generator. This replaced a 500 K. W. Turbo Generator set and leaves in addition to the new unit, two 1000 K. W. and one 500 K. W. sets in use. Before the placing of this large unit, the peak load had reached over 2100 K. W.'s, so that had one of the 1000 K. W. machines broken down, the Borough would not have been able to meet the peak demand. In the Water Department, the principal additions and improvements consisted in the construction of the im- pounding dam with 387,000,000 gallons storage and the placing of ad- ditional feeder mains, north, south, and west from the gravity line with larger pipes and increasing the flow and pressure of water in all parts of town. A list of these works in the Water, Light, and Sewer Depart- ments with their costs to the Borough and contributions from the Federal Government are shown.
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LIGHT PLANT
Federal Aid
Borough Cost
Pulverizing Equipment and New Boiler
$ 0.00
$ 96,287.25
2500 K. W. Turbo Generator
26,100.00
82,218.13
WATER DEPARTMENT
Impounding Dam
3,794.60
121,034.50
New Chlorinator at Intake Dam
0.00
1,378.16
Extension Main-Miller Street, Martin Ave-
nue, Central Avenue,
0.00
6,037.69
Extension Main-Ramsey Avenue, Elm Ave- nue, Hood and South Streets
0.00
1,918.35
Extension Main-Wayne Avenue (Feeder)
5,982.47
15,122.92
Extension Main-North Main (Feeder)
3,656.83
5,912.14
Extension Main-Feeder Main South
6,994.00
16,776.96
Extension Main-Spring Street
135.60
281.42
Extension Main-West (Feeder) via
5,382.40
5,499.24
Extension Main-Federal Street (Feeder)
835.95
1,349.77
Extension Main-East King Street
0.00
348.75
Installation of Fire Hydrants
0.00
432.54
SEWER DEPARTMENT
Extension-Norland Avenue
0.00
894.00
Extension-Center Street
0.00
816.04
Extension-Wilson Avenue
0.00
575.56
Extension-McKinley Street
831.30
579.60
Extension-South Fourth Street
0.00
989.77
Totals
$53,713.15 $358,452.79
In addition to the Water, Light, and Sewer Departments, there were many capital expenditures aside from maintenance in the General Borough Departments including Administration, Streets, Police, Fire, and Miscellaneous. In a summary of these, it is impossible to place an accurate estimate on the value of the relief labor furnished, but where such labor was contributed the item will be so marked.
Expenditures of the Borough Departments for construction, pur- chase of property and equipment additional to regular maintenance ex- penditures from January 1, 1930, to January 3, 1936. No aid was received from any relief agency on any of the following items.
Enlargement of and improvements to City Hall offices $ 32,233.83
Construction of incinerator 419.27
Construction of Public Comfort Station (Borough's share) 5,688.17
23,002.77
5,390 linear feet of storm Sewers
46,000.69
4,350 sq. yds. of cement concrete paving
10,420.24
Construction of Loudon Street Bridge
8,749.89
Purchase and improvements to Henninger Field
6,459.82
Retaining wall at Henninger Field
1,911.23
Purchase Gilbert property for Sewer Construction
2,500.00
Purchase Peiffer property for opening Liberty Street
1,734.00
46,000 sq. yds. of macadam paving on twenty-eight streets
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Purchase property on Fourth and Queen Streets and Lin-
coln Way East
5,160.00
Purchase fire truck for Friendship Company 10,000.00
Purchase Motor Street Sweeper 6,515.00
Purchase 3 ton G. M. C. truck 2,450.00
Purchase two 1 ton Ford trucks
1,636.36
Purchase Bituminous Concrete Mixer
950.00
Purchase Cement Concrete Mixer
880.30
Purchase Air Compressor
653.34
Purchase Air Hammers, Heaters, Mats, etc.
650.11
Opening and widening Liberty Street from Second Street to Third Street
6,782.41
Opening Fourth Street from Mckinley Street to Wayne Avenue 7,445.33
Gas Company case before Public Service Commission 6,932.59
Contributions to Coyle Free Library
14,370.00
Total
$203,545.35
PROJECTS SPONSORED BY THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG AND CONSTRUCTED WITH LABOR CONTRIBUTED BY FEDERAL RELIEF
Macadam Paving on Second Street, between Lincoln Way East and Broad Street.
Widening and macadam paving on West Queen Street, from Water Street to Conococheague Creek.
Construction of Storm Sewers on North Second Street, Elm Avenue, Vine Street, Coldbrook Avenue, Liberty Street, Loudon Street, and Burkhart Avenue.
Grading and opening Grandview Avenue, Hollywell Avenue, Fifth Ave- nue, Seventh Street, and East Catharine Street.
Construction of reinforced concrete bridge on Fifth Avenue.
Removal of abandoned trolley tracks.
Property and Street Survey of entire Borough.
Cleaning and widening Conococheague Creek and Falling Spring.
Improvements at Henninger Field.
Painting all Fire Houses.
Addition to Cumberland Valley Fire House.
Adult recreation project.
Total Borough expenditures on above projects . . $ 49,141.02
Wages received by persons employed on projects other than Water, Light or Sewer Departments, sponsored by the Borough of Chambers- burg to January 3, 1936:
Food Orders, value $25,366.65
Civil Works Administration 33,943.28
Local Works Division 2,100.45
Works Division 30,230.35
Works Progress Administration
20,505.32
Relief Aid Total $112,146.05
Grand Total of Borough Expenditures in all Departments $611,139.16
Total Value of Relief Aid $165,859.20
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It is apparent from the foregoing that the Borough of Chambers- burg has taken full advantage of all the opportunities presented by the various lettered administrations of the Federal Government, from the time that these various administrations were authorized, up until the present time. There is just one way in which the heavy borrowings of the Federal Government can be repaid, and that is by the method of taxation, and the citizens of Chambersburg will have to pay just as much in the way of taxes to the Federal Government as the citizens of any other community. If there had been no advantage taken of the offers of the different alphabetical administrations, the citizens of Cham- bersburg would have to pay just as much to the Federal Government in the way of taxes as they will now have to pay after securing $165,859.20. The boroughs that have been carefully managed were fortunate in that they could proceed with heavy capital expenditures, a portion of which was contributed by the Federal Government. During the year 1936, the Borough of Chambersburg will be constructing a duplicate water supply line from the mountain to Chambersburg, the estimated cost of which will be $225,546.00, and of this amount there will be contributed by the Federal Government, in actual cash, $101,- 495.00. This is a much needed improvement, and it is repeated that the Borough of Chambersburg has been remarkably fortunate that it was in such financial condition that full advantage could be taken of these offers on the part of the Federal Government.
All of the work embodied in the activities is desirable, in a great many cases necessary, and in all cases of a very permanent character. It might very properly be stated that the carrying on of all these major improvements, and at the same time reducing the Borough taxes from six to one mill is an achievement of some considerable magnitude.
H. STANLEY APPENZELLAR, President of Chambersburg Town Council.
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PERSONNEL OF THE BOROUGH GOVERNMENT 1935
R. C. VANDERAU Chief Burgess
H. STANLEY APPENZELLAR
President Town Council
J. HASE MOWREY Manager of Utilities
E. W. DAVIS Secretary
WILLIAM PENTZ
Treasurer
EDMUND C. WINGERD
Solicitor
GEORGE H. BITNER
Tax Collector
HARRY R. GEARHART
Auditor
PAUL N. GEYER
Auditor
ALBERT S. HENNEBERGER
Auditor
MISS F. L. RINICK Chief Bookkeeper
H. S. BYERS Chief of Police
ROBERT MONN Superintendent of Water and Sewer
F. D. RHODES, JR. Borough Engineer
CHARLES F. PFOUTZ Assistant Borough Engineer
W. W. MILLER
Market Master
COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL
FINANCE COMMITTEE
H. S. APPENZELLAR, President
(a) H. C. KRAISS, Chairman-H. H. SWARTZ
G. B. STOUFFER
G. FRED GIBBS
D. H. DIEHL
J. H. KARNS
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
R. C. VANDERAU, Chairman
H. S. BYERS
G. FRED GIBBS
ELLWOOD JODER
SEWER COMMITTEE
H. H. SWARTZ, Chairman
J. H. KARNS
STREET COMMITTEE
H. C. KRAISS, Chairman-H. S. APPENZELLAR
(b) H. H. SWARTZ-J. B. KAUF- MAN
B. F. SMALL
Note: (a) H. C. Kraiss resigned as Councilman from Fourth Ward on June 3, 1935, and H. H. Swartz, who had resigned as Coun- cilman from Fifth Ward on June 3, 1935, was, by resolution of Council, appointed Councilman from Fourth Ward to fill the vacancy caused by resignation of H. C. Kraiss. H. S. Appenzellar was made Chairman of Finance Committee by action of Council on June 17, 1935, and H. H. Swartz was made a member of the Finance Committee on that same date.
Note: (b) On June 3, 1935, J. B. Kaufman was, by resolution of Coun- cil, appointed Councilman from Fifth Ward to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of H. H. Swartz.
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BOARD OF HEALTH
DR. B. M. BEATTIE, President
DR. L. H. SEATON
JAMES C. CLARK
PAUL WALKER
LESTER MARSHALL
FRANK J. CROFT, Health Officer and Secretary
Note: (c) By action of Council on June 17, 1935, J. B. Kaufman was made a Trustee of the Coyle Free Library. and appointed on the Street Committee and Industrial Committee.
Note: (d) By motion of Council passed June 17, 1935, G. B. Stouffer was appointed Chairman of the Industrial Committee suc- ceeding H. C. Kraiss, who resigned as Councilman from Fourth Ward on June 3, 1935.
(e) H. C. Kraiss resigned as Councilman from Fourth Ward on June 3, 1935, leaving four members on the Borough Property Committee from that date.
PARKS AND PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
C. H. PENSINGER, Chairman
G. FRED GIBBS
ELLWOOD JODER
D. H. DIEHL
COYLE LIBRARY TRUSTEES
(c) H. H. SWARTZ-J. B. KAUF- MAN
ELLWOOD JODER
WATER AND LIGHT COMMITTEE
D. H. DIEHL, Chairman
J. H. KARNS
B. F. SMALL
FIRE COMMITTEE
C. H. PENSINGER, Fire Marshal
G. FRED GIBBS
G. B. STOUFFER
INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE
(d) H. C. KRAISS, Chairman-G. B. STOUFFER
C. H. PENSINGER
G. B. STOUFFER
J. B. KAUFMAN
BOROUGH PROPERTY COMMITTEE
H. S. APPENZELLAR, Chairman
D. H. DIEHL
C. H. PENSINGER
H. H. SWARTZ
(e) H. C. KRAISS
PUBLIC COMFORT STATION COMMITTEE
J. H. KARNS, Chairman
D. H. DIEHL
B. F. SMALL
CIVIL WORKS COMMITTEE
D. H. DIEHL, Chairman J. H. KARNS ELLWOOD JODER
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PERSONNEL OF THE BOROUGH GOVERNMENT 1936
R. C. VANDERAU Chief Burgess
H. STANLEY APPENZELLAR
President Town Council
J. HASE MOWREY
Manager of Utilities
E. W. DAVIS Secretary
CONRAD E. FOGELSANGER Treasurer
EDMUND C. WINGERD Solicitor
GEORGE H. BITNER
Tax Collector
HARRY R. GEARHART
Auditor
PAUL N. GEYER
Auditor
ALBERT S. HENNEBERGER
Auditor
MISS F. L. RINICK
Chief Bookkeeper
H. S. BYERS
Chief of Police
ROBERT MONN Superintendent of Water and Sewer
F. D. RHODES, JR.
Borough Engineer
CHARLES F. PFOUTZ Assistant Borough Engineer
W. W. MILLER
Market Master
COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL
FINANCE COMMITTEE
H. S. APPENZELLAR, Chairman
J. H. KARNS
G. FRED GIBBS
G. B. STOUFFER
J. HARVEY MARTIN
STREET COMMITTEE
ELLWOOD JODER, Chairman G. S. KLENZING
J. HARVEY MARTIN
SEWER COMMITTEE
G. B. STOUFFER, Chairman
B. F. SMALL
J. HARVEY MARTIN
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
BURGESS R. C. VANDERAU, Chairman
CHIEF H. S. BYERS
G. FRED GIBBS
B. F. SMALL
T. C. MCCULLOUGH
PARK AND PLAYGROUND
C. H. PENSINGER, Chairman
ELLWOOD JODER
G. S. KLENZING
G. FRED GIBBS
COYLE LIBRARY TRUSTEES
ELLWOOD JODER C. H. PENSINGER
WATER AND LIGHT COMMITTEE
J. H. KARNS, Chairman
B. F. SMALL
T. C. MCCULLOUGH
FIRE COMMITTEE
G. FRED GIBBS, Fire Marshal
C. H. PENSINGER
G. S. KLENZING
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INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE
G. B. STOUFFER, Chairman ELLWOOD JODER T. C. MCCULLOUGH
BOROUGH PROPERTY COMMITTEE
H. S. APPENZELLAR, Chairman J. H. KARNS ELLWOOD JODER
G. FRED GIBBS
G. B. STOUFFER
PUBLIC COMFORT STATION COMMITTEE
J. H. KARNS, Chairman
J. HARVEY MARTIN
T. C. MCCULLOUGH
CIVIL WORKS COMMITTEE
B. F. SMALL, Chairman
G. S. KLENZING
T. C. MCCULLOUGH
BOARD OF HEALTH
DR. B. M. BEATTIE, President
DR. L. H. SEATON
JAMES C. CLARK
PAUL WALKER
LESTER MARSHALL
FRANK J. CROFT, Health Officer and Secretary
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BOROUGH OFFICIALS OF THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG
ELLWOOD JODER Councilman, 1st Ward
G. FRED GIBBS Councilman, 1st Ward
R. C. VANDERAU Chief Burgess
J. H. KARNS Councilman, 2nd Ward
D. H. DIEHL Councilman, 2nd Ward
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BOROUGH OFFICIALS OF THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG
C. H. PENSINGER Councilman, 3rd Ward
H. C. KRAISS Councilman, 4th Ward
H. S. APPENZELLAR President of Council Councilman, 3rd Ward
J. B. KAUFMAN Councilman, 5th Ward
G. B. STOUFFER Councilman, 4th Ward
H. H. SWARTZ Councilman, 5th Ward Councilman, 4th Ward
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BOROUGH OFFICIALS OF THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG
B. F. SMALL Councilman, 5th Ward
EDMUND C. WINGERD Borough Solicitor
J. HASE MOWREY Manager of Utilities
F. D. RHODES, JR. Borough Engineer
H. S. BYERS Chief of Police
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BOROUGH OFFICIALS OF THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG
F. L. RINICK Chief Bookkeeper
ROBERT MONN Supt. of Water and Sewer
E. W. DAVIS Borough Clerk
W. H. WASHINGER Supt. of Streets
W. W. MILLER Market Master
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MUNICIPAL OFFICE BUILDING
HISTORICAL
Chambersburg was founded by Benjamin Chambers at "Fawling Spring on Cannogogige," in 1734, and in 1764 Benjamin Chambers writes, "there is a town laid out on Conegogig Creek." The Town was incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Penn- sylvania, March 21, 1803, and the first Burgess and Town Council con- sisted of the following: Chief Burgess-Major John Holliday; Council- men-Edward Crawford, Esq., Andrew Dunlap, Christian Oister, John Shryock, and Patrick Campbell. It has grown slowly, but its growth has been steady and its accomplishments enduring. Today, it bears the rather enviable reputation of being one of the outstanding boroughs in the State of Pennsylvania, and its citizens enjoy more vital services at a much lower cost than any other borough in the State.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The first police force for the Borough of Chambersburg was estab- lished January 16, 1818, by the following action of Town Council, "Be it ordained, etc., That four men shall be employed to watch and patrol. the streets of the Borough, during the night, from nine o'clock until daybreak, for the term of three months from this date, to guard the property of the inhabitants, as far as in their power, from incendiaries, thieves, and plunderers, and to arrest and detain all vagrants and night walkers until the morning, unless he, she, or they, can give a satis- factory account of their purpose and the occasion of their being found on the street-and also call the hour."
The Council entered into an article of agreement dated January 17, 1818, with Robert Allison, as Captain, William McElhany, Jacob Heckerman, and Dan McAllister, privates, to patrol the town from nine o'clock until daybreak, call the hour, and light any lamps that are, or may be erected, for which the Captain was to receive $18.00 per month, and each private $15.00 per month, and the Council was to furnish each one with a sufficiently warm watch-coat.
From the following proclamation, it is evident that 119 years ago, the sources of amusement for the good people of Chambersburg were more varied, permanent, and better protected than they are today:
"To Robert Allison, High Constable
Sir: You are hereby authorized to attend the Theatre in the Borough of Chambersburg and Protect the Manager thereof whilst acting from any disorderly Person or Persons-and if any Person or Persons attempt to disturb said actors during their performans-you are hereby Commanded to bring him or them before me or any Justice of the Peace in said Borough to be dealt with according to Law. Fail not.
Given under my hand and seal this 19th day of July, 1816. (Signed) PATRICK CAMPBELL, Burgess."
From this very modest beginning, the Police Department has de- veloped into a highly efficient and very completely equipped organization, consisting of a Chief, one Lieutenant and six Patrolmen. Their equip-
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ment consists of a Hardinge Police Register System, dictograph, finger printing outfit, Colts 38 calibre revolvers, tear gas guns, tear gas hand grenades, police car, and two motorcycles.
During the year 1935, the Police Department answered 818 calls. This is exclusive of all calls answered by the Chief, or by the Lieuten- ant. There was a total number of 477 arrests made for various offenses. The arrests for drunk and disorderly conduct totaled 191. There were 20 actual cases of breaking-in and larceny reported, and 8 arrests were made in these 20 cases. All cases of breaking-in and larceny were solved and conviction obtained. For all other violations, mostly of a minor character having to do with traffic violations, there were 150 arrests made. There were 157 store doors found unlocked by the officers at night. The total amount of fines collected was $285.00.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
More than one hundred and fifty years ago, in 1790 to be exact, when the village of Chambersburg consisted entirely of either log or frame houses, and the fire hazard was great because of wood fires upon the open hearth, the necessity of providing protection from fire was first discussed, and the Friendship Fire Company, an organization of citizens equipped with buckets, was formed.
Since that time, with the expansion of the village from a few houses to a borough of the first magnitude, the formation of additional com- panies became necessary, and their equipment, from bucket to hand pump, to hose reel, to steam fire engine, and, during the past fifteen years to modernized motor drawn and motor driven apparatus, has kept pace with the times.
Today, the fire department consists of five companies, advantage- ously located, and equipped with three American LaFrance Pumpers, an aerial truck with 65-foot ladder, a chemical and hose wagon, a City Service truck with booster pump, a truck equipped with a Foamite unit, a squad and chemical car, and an ambulance.
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