USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Chambersburg > Annual report of the burgess and town council of the borough of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 1935 > Part 5
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Operating Revenues
$ 263,495.89
Operating Expenses
Generating System Operat-
ing Expenses
$ 54,963.59
Distribution System Operat- ing Expenses
7,274.86
Utilization System Operat- ing Expenses 2,147.91
General Administrative Expenses
8,352.93
Other General Expenses
24,732.46
Total Operating Expenses
97,471.75
Net Operating Income
166,024.14
Non Operating Revenues $ 6,833.76
Non Operating Expenses
4,024.80
Net Non Operating Income
2,808.96
Total Net Income
$ 168,833.10
Net Income Deductions
Free Electricity Furnished Borough 35,504.58
Balance of Net Income
$ 133,328.52
64
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT ANALYSIS OF FIXED CAPITAL
Balance Jan. 1, 1935
Additions 1935
Balance Dec. 31, 1935 $ 8,217.91
Organization
$ 8,217.91
Generating System - Land
1,900.00
$
128.21
2,028.21
Generating System, Power Plant Structure
44,893.55
35.72
44,929.27
Generating System, Railroad Sidings and Trestle
6,067.16
6,067.16
Generating System, Boiler
118,391.60
118,391.60
Generating System, Turbo
108,409.35
108,333.18
216,742.53
Generating System, Other Electrical Equipment
16,026.58
7.57
16,034.15
Generating System, Coal
Storage and Weighing
16,645.42
16,645.42
Generating System, Other Power Plant Equipment
2,732.10
2,732.10
Transmission System, Over- head Conductors
44.88
44.88
Distribution System, Poles and Fixtures
36,011.08
102.11
36,113.19
Distribution System, head Conductors
29,691.40
2,234.02
31,925.42
Distribution System, Over-
head Transformers
31,103.37
2,170.36
33,273.73
head Transformer Instal- lations
5,715.07
96.80
5,811.87
Distribution System, Over- head Services
19,309.46
42.81
19,352.27
Distribution System, Under- ground Conduits
1,183.69
1,183.69
Distribution System, Under- ground Conductors
1,500.98
1,500.98
Distribution System, Under- ground Transformers
605.25
605.25
Distribution System, Under- ground Transformer In- stallation
82.93
82.93
Distribution System, Under- ground Services
.44
.44
Distribution System, Meters
37,634.09
1,315.47
38,949.56
Distribution System, Meter Installations
5,703.03
43.57
5,746.60
Utilization System, Com-
mercial Arc System
2.16
2.16
Utilization System, Munici- pal Street Arc System
18,535.38
18,535.38
Utilization System, Munici-
pal Street Incandescent
41,087.78
219.47
41,307.25
System
Over-
Distribution System, Over-
.
65
Plant Equipment
Generators
Equipment
Other General Land
600.00
600.00
Other General Structures
2,590.00
2,590.00
General Office Equipment
1,082.83
1,082.83
General Store Equipment
184.00
General Garage Equipment
2,044.00
711.83
184.00 2,755.83
General Laboratory Equip- ment
564.10
20.36
584.46
General ments
Tools and Imple-
464.35
35.39
499.74
Engineering and Superin-
tendence During Con-
struction
26,067.75
26,067.75
Administrative and Legal
Expenses and Taxes Dur- ing Construction
8,217.91
8,217.91
Interest During Construc-
25,393.33
25,393.33
Development Cost
48,386.75
48,386.75
$ 667,089.68 $ 115,496.87 $ 782,586.55
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT-SINKING FUND
Balance in Sinking Fund (Four Banks) January 1, 1935
$ 400.75
Transfer from Electric
Light Department
31,200.00
Transfer from Water De-
partment
14,187.46
Interest Received ( Four
Banks)
421.05
Portion of U. S. Grant De-
posited in Light Sinking Fund
11,708.40
$ 57,917.66
Transfer to Light Depart- ment $ 15,315.86
Balance in Hands of Treas-
urer January 1, 1936
42,601.80
$ 57,917.66
Free Lighting and Power Used in Borough During 1935 Light
Public Comfort Station $ 221.15
Traffic Signals
554.83
Friendship Fire Company 218.33
Junior Fire Company
221.46
Good Will Fire Company
347.40
Franklin Fire Company
225.71
Cumberland Valley Fire
Commany
85.61
City Hall
416.78
66
tion
City Hall-Water Heater 41.60
Police Headquarters
215.63
Municipal Garage
43.61
Light Plant, Storage Shed
9.00
Light Plant, Fire Alarm Battery
32.66
Disposal Plant, Pump House
38.08
$ 2,671.85
Power
Franklin Fire Company
$ 60.60
Disposal Plant
1,225.89
Municipal Garage (5
months)
46.90
Free Power for Sawing
112.44
1.445.83
Arc Lighting of Streets $ 7,253.40
Incandescent Lighting of
Streets
24,133.50
31,386.90
Total
$ 35,504.58
In Addition, Credit Account
Labor at Plant-Fire
Alarm Batteries 365 at $ 730.00
$2.00
ELECTRIC CURRENT LIENS
Balance to be Collected
January 1, 1935
Balance `to be Collected $ 96.39
January 1, 1936
96.39
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY 1, 1936
Assets
Cash in Treasurer's hands, General Borough
$ 420.57 Cash in Treasurer's hands, Water De- partment
4,320.24
Cash in Treasurer's hands, Light Depart- ment 14,816.32
Cash in Treasurer's hands, Light Depart- ment Sinking Fund 42,601.80
Cash in Treasurer's hands, Bond Depart- ment
92,976.91
Cash in Treasurer's hands, Bond Depart- ment Sinking Fund 9,445.00
67
Wood
Cash in Treasurer's hands, Borough Fire Fund
15,897.64
Cash in Collector's hands, Electric Light Consumers Deposit Account 18,189.28
$ 198,667.76
Borough
Bond
Borough and Bond
Tax Duplicate,
1928-1929
$ 202.62
Tax Duplicate,
1931-1932
$1,395.42 $ 779.80
Tax Duplicate,
1932-1933
897.94
943.09
Tax Duplicate,
1933-1934
1,761.24
1,899.31
Tax Duplicate,
1934-1935
2,594.79
2,631.86
Tax Duplicate,
1935-1936
961.44
3,099.24
$7,610.83 $ 9,353.30 $ 202.62
17,166.75
Investments, Borough Fire Fund
5,000.00
Unpaid Tax Liens, E. W. Davis, Collector
4,888.85
Unpaid Paving Liens
3,288.05
Unpaid Sewer Liens
7,512.92
Unpaid Sewer Assessments
401.52
Unpaid Water Liens
2,188.19
Unpaid Electric Light Liens
96.39
18,375.92
Water Department-Current Assets, Less Cash in Treasurer's Account
13,647.73
Light Department-Current Assets, Less Cash in Treasurer's Account
34,379.70
Value of Water Distributing System
927,032.87
Value of Light Plant and Distribution
System
552,132.04
Value of Disposal Plant and Main Trunk System
148,135.00
Value of Lateral Sewers
218,589.27
Value of Fire Houses and Apparatus
143,513.00
Value of Office Building, Market House
55,856.00
Value of Police Headquarters
10,000.00
Value of Street Department, Storage House and Equipment
21,500.00
Value of Henninger Field
12,500.00
Value of Fourth Street Properties
4,000.00
Value of Third Street Property
1,000.00
Value of Public Comfort Station
5,500.00
$2,386,996.04
68
Liabilities
41/2 Per Cent Improvement Bonds of 1912, Issued De- cember 1, 1912, Due Sep- tember 1, 1942, Total Issue
$ 50,000.00
Bonds Redeemed and Can- celled 1932
$ 5,000.00
Bonds Redeemed and Can- celled 1933
6,500.00
Bonds Redeemed and Can- celled 1934
5,000.00
Bonds Redeemed and Can- celled 1935
5,000.00
Balance Outstanding
3 Per Cent Improvement and Refunding Bonds, Issued December 1,, 1935
150,000.00
The above balances are the present actual indebted- ness of the Burgess and Town Council
of the Borough of Chambers- burg created without the authority of the vote of electors thereof.
Electric Light Consumers' Deposit Account Assets in Excess of Liabili- ties
18,189.28
2,190,306.76
$2,386,996.04
21,500.00 $ 28,500.00
HARRY R. GEARHART, PAUL N. GEYER, ALBERT S. HENNEBERGER, Auditors.
69
COMPARISON OF TAX LEVY, BONDED DEBT, ETC., FOR YEAR 1935
Borough
Popula- tion
Assessed Valuation
Taxes Levied Taxes Tax for Borough Rate and Bond (Mills) Purposes
Paid Per Capita
Bonded Debt (Less Sink- ing Fund)
Net Debt Per Capita
Berwick
12,660
$ 8,689,695.00
9.5
$ 82,552.00
$ 6.52
$151,652.00
$11.98
Cannonsburg
15,000
6,546,805.00
15.0
98,202.00
6.55
166,386.00
11.09
Carnegie
12,497
9,799,680.00
14.0
137,196.00
10.98
288,480.00
23.08
Donora
13,905
12,474,244.00
10.0
124,742.00
8.97
460,427.00
33.11
Dormont
13,190
16,858,225.00
9.0
151,724.00
11.50
674,170.00
51.11
Lewistown
13,357
7,166,575.00
11.0
78,832.00
5.90
189,308.00
14.17
Munhall
12,995
21,217,025.00
11.0
233,387.00
17.96
788,577.00
60.68
Steelton
13,291
8,231,451.00
18.0
148,166.00
11.15
313,666.00
23.60
Warren
14,863
13,180,735.00
12.0
158,169.00
10.64
155,542.00
10.46
Carlisle
12,596
11,429,205.00
8.0
91,433.00
7.25
621,000.00
49.30
Shippensburg
4,345
2,757,095.00
7.5
20,678.00
4.75
179,000.00
41.19
Waynesboro
10,167
6,034,414.00
11.0
66,379.00
6.53
452,500.00
44.50
Chambersburg
14,000
7,859,398.00
4.0
31,437.00
2.25
88,550.00
6.33
The above Tabulation, information for which was obtained from the Bureau of Municipal Affairs, State Capitol, Harrisburg, Pa., and the different municipalities themselves, shows the rather enviable position your Borough occupies, as compared with other Boroughs of approximately the same size in the State of Pennsylvania. The Boroughs listed are distributed over the entire State.
70
The Pennsylvania State Department of Internal Affairs has com- piled data showing that between the years 1923 and 1932 taxes have increased in the political subdivisions of the State as follows:
AVERAGE TAX INCREASE OVER THE ENTIRE STATE
Counties
50%
Cities 52%
Boroughs 27%
Townships
23%
School Districts
43%
Poor Districts
107%
A survey and compilation of the same material brought up to date would undoubtedly show a still larger average increase in taxes.
The past four years have been very strenuous years for borough governments. To a very large extent the burden of taking care of the unemployed has been thrown on to boroughs and cities. The Borough of Chambersburg was outstanding in this work, which, of course, in- volved large expenditures of moneys for materials necessary to pro- vide work for the unemployed, but notwithstanding these large ex- penditures, the Borough of Chambersburg reduced the Borough taxes from four mills to one mill, or a reduction of $21,000.00 per year in Borough taxes.
The outstanding achievement of your Borough Government was that it could make such large outlays for necessary Capital and Maintenance Expenditures, and at the same time make such substantial reductions in taxes, light, and power rates.
71
VALUES OF SERVICES RECEIVED FOR $1.00 OF BOROUGH TAXES LEVIED 1935
Taxes Levied for
Costs
Borough Purposes
Borough Administration
$ 36,597.45 divided by $7,859.40=$ 4.656
Police Services
15,982.83 divided by 7,859.40= 2.033
Public Health Services
2,153.21 divided by 7,859.40= .273
Fire Protection Services ... . Street Department Services Street Lighting - Miscel. Services
19,081.49 divided by 7,859.40= 2.427
49,127.28 divided by 7,859.40=
6.25
31,542.70 divided by
7,859.40 = 4.013
Sanitary Sewerage Services
12,557.09 divided by 7,859.40=
1.597
Comfort Station Services
839.73 divided by 7,859.40= .106
Parks and Playground Services
3,779.65 divided by 7,859.40= .480
Total
$171,661.43 divided by $7,859.40=$21.84
VALUES OF SERVICES RECEIVED PER CAPITA
Estimated Population 14,000 Population
Borough Administration
$ 36,597.45 divided by 14,000=$ 2.614 15,982.83 divided by 14,000= 1.141
Police Services
Public Health Services
2,153.21 divided by 14,000= .153
Fire Protection Services
19,081.49 divided by 14,000=
1.362
Street Department Services
49,127.28 divided by 14,000=
3.509
Street Lighting - Miscel. Ser- vices
31,542.70 divided by 14,000=
2.253
Sanitary Sewerage Services
12,557.09 divided by 14,000=
.896
Comfort Station Services .
839.73 divided by 14,000=
.059
Parks and Playground Services
3,779.65 divided by 14,000=
.269
Total $171,661.43 divided by 14,000=$12.26
Note: The Citizens of Chambersburg received in these services $171,- 661.43 of Value for which Taxes were levied for Borough pur- poses in the amount of $7,859.40. If you did not operate your Electric Light and Water Utilities, at a handsome profit, the whole cost of these services would have to be paid for by Taxes, which would mean an increase in Taxes for Borough purposes of 21.9 times what they were in 1935.
72
INDEX
Page
Statement by President of Town Council
2
Personnel of the Borough Government-1935
7
Personnel of the Borough Government-1936 9
Photographs of Borough Officials of the Borough of Chambersburg 11
Historical Sketch-Chambersburg
16
Historical Sketch-Police Department
16
Historical Sketch-Fire Department
17
Historical Sketch-Street Department
17
Street Department Report 19
Historical Sketch-Engineering Department
21
Historical Sketch-Public Comfort Station
21
Historical Sketch-Parks and Playgrounds
22
Historical Sketch-Health Board 22
26 27
Historical Sketch-Refuse Incinerator
27
Borough Fire Fund
33
Tax Collector's Account
33
Assessments- Lateral Sewer
Lateral Sewer Liens
Paving Liens
Historical Sketch-Water Department
Physical Data-Water Department
Rates for Water-Within Borough Limits and Outside Borough Limits
Balance Sheet-Water Department
Revenue and Expense Statement-Water Department
Income Statement-Water Department 48 Analysis of Fixed Capital-Water Department 49 50
Credit Accounts-Water Department
Liens-Water Department Historical Sketch-Electric Light Department 50 52 Physical Data-Electric Light Department 54 57
Rates for Electric Current
61
Operating Revenue and Expense Statement-Electric Light Depart- ment
62
Income Statement-Electric Light Department
64
Analysis of Fixed Capital-Electric Light Department 65
Sinking Fund-Electric Light Department
66
Liens-Electric Light Department
67
Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Borough of Chambersburg 67
Tabulation-Comparing Chambersburg with other Boroughs of State 70
Showing Increase in Taxes of Political Subdivisions in Past Ten Years 71
Value of Services Received for $1.00 of Borough Taxes Levied-1935 72
Value of Services Received Per Capita 72
73
Balance Sheet-Electric Light Department
66 Credit Account-Electric Light Department
37 38 38 38 42 45 46 47
Historical Sketch-Sanitary Sewer Department
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures-General Borough Account
$
.
CHAMBERSBURG PENNSYLVANIA
OFFICE OF THE BOROUGH ENGINEER
CHAMBERSBURG, PENNA. SCALE ": 300FT
JANUARY 1935
PLAN NUMBER 30009-A
POPULATION OF BOROUGH
13.788
1930 CENSUS
BOROUGH ENGINEER
---
AVENUE
THREEY
MIAONVI
FIFTH WARD
GARVER
.
FIRST
NORTH FLOLOAy
STRALT
LE
% MILE
FOURTH WARD
FRANKIG ST J NOZZA
& MILE
SECONDO
PRECINCT
AVENUE
Wo
WATE Q
MAIN
ODLAR AVC
PRECINCT
FIRST
TEECON
Main
Lukr 6840
AVENUE
FIRST
Bagse SECONO PRECINCT
........
SECOND WARD
EDGAR
VILSON
FIRST WARD
EAST
AVENUE
STELLT
PRECINCT
SECOND
PRECINCT
Brutet
30
FIFTH
SOUTH
T"
TWAVAT
FIRST PRECINCT
I MILE
-
EIGHTH
ST
LAST
1
COLOD
A.
C
ELEY
CHAMBERSBURG PENNSYLVANIA
SCALE |\ 300"
OFFICE OF THE BOROUGH ENGINEER CHAMBERSBURG, PENNA.
PLAN_NUMBER_30009-A JANUARY 1935
POPULATION OF BOROUGH 13.700 1930 CENSUS
----
THIRD
WARD
FourIn
SECONO PRECINCT
& MILE
AYLAM
MEL
SOUTH
THIRD
AUCHUL
AVENUE
-1 MILE
ALEHUE
14 MILE
1
AREA OF BOROUGH LAND WATER 2237
ACRES 36 ACRES TOTAL 2273 ACRES
461
STRELY
61. 6200
PRECINCT
NORTH
KENNLOT
AVENUE
STREET
PACK
ATS
DNV 1DON
PUL SLANT
PRECINCT
..... ..... ........
Cor
WOLF
BOROUGH ENGINEER
PRAOS OF THE KERR PRINTING CO CHAMBERSBURG. PA.
Murray E. Kauffman Metal Finishing 2110 Lincoln Way East Chambersburg, Pa. 17201
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
BURGESS AND TOWN COUNCIL of THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG PENNSYLVANIA
For the Year Ending December 31, 1936
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, 1936
....
FOR THE YEAR from JANUARY 1, 1936, TO DECEMBER 31, 1936 Being THE ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THIRD SINCE INCORPORATED AS A BOROUGH
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
MARGARET E. WINGERT
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
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
INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE
G. B. STOUFFER, Chairman ELLWOOD JODER
T. C. MCCULLOUGH
PARK AND PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
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
2
$
FIRE COMMITTEE
G. FRED GIBBS, Fire Marshal
C. H. PENSINGER
G. S. KLENZING
PUBLIC COMFORT STATION COMMITTEE
J. H. KARNS, Chairman J. HARVEY MARTIN
T. C. MCCULLOUGH
BOROUGH PROPERTY
H. S. APPENZELLAR, Chairman ELLWOOD JODER
J. H. KARNS
G. FRED GIBBS
G. B. STOUFFER
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
3
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
J. HARVEY MARTIN Councilman, 2nd Ward
4
.
BOROUGH OFFICIALS OF THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG
C. H. PENSINGER Councilman, 3rd Ward
G. B. STOUFFER Councilman, 4th Ward
H. S. APPENZELLAR President of Council Councilman, 3rd Ward
T. C. MCCULLOUGH Councilman, 4th Ward
B. F. SMALL Councilman, 5th Ward
5
BOROUGH OFFICIALS OF THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG
G. STEWART KLENZING Councilman, 5th Ward
E. C. WINGERD Borough Solicitor
J. HASE MOWERY Manager of Utilities
F. D. RHODES, JR. Borough Engineer
H. S. BYERS Chief of Police
6
BOROUGH OFFICIALS OF THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG
MARGARET E. WINGERT 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
7
€
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 day- break, 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 Hecker- man, 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 120 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 eight Patrolmen. Their equipment consists of a Hardinge Police Register System, dictograph,
9
finger printing outfit, Colts 38 calibre revolvers, tear gas guns, tear gas hand grenades, police car, and two motorcycles.
During the year 1936, the Police Department answered 870 calls. This is exclusive of all calls answered by the Chief, or by the Lieutenant. There was a total number of 584 arrests made for various offenses. The arrests for drunk and disorderly conduct totaled 248. There were 12 actual cases of breaking-in and larceny reported, and 6 arrests were made in these 12 cases. The night patrol reported 272 store doors left open by owners on leaving store. The total amount of fines collected was $975.00.
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, one Ward LaFrance Flood Light Truck and Pumper, an aerial truck with 65-foot ladder, a City Service truck with booster pump, a truck equipped with a Foamite unit, a squad and chemical car, and an ambu- lance.
The companies are entirely volunteer, only the drivers of the apparatus receiving pay from the Borough. The fire houses are owned by the Borough and under the care of the Property Committee of the Borough Council.
In addition to the above mentioned equipment, the town is com- pletely covered by the Gamewell Fire Alarm System, consisting of 53 fire alarm boxes, 5 station house indicators and gongs, and one general alarm, all storage battery operated, and 215 latest type fire plugs are installed at the most advantageous points.
The Department answered 23 general alarms sounded by the Game- well System during the year, 5 of which were false alarms. In addition to these system alarms, the companies responded to silent alarms and individual calls as follows :
Junior Company 27
Good Will Company 26
Franklin Company 17
Cumberland Valley Company 13 Friendship Company 8
The Good Will ambulance responded to 702 calls during the year. The total estimated fire loss during the year was $6,000.00.
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STREET DEPARTMENT
On March 30, 1734, Benjamin Chambers was given a grant to take, settle, and improve 400 acres of land at the mouth of the Falling Spring and Conococheague Creek, but this tract was not sub-divided until 1764 when it was laid out as a town and called Chambers Town, which name was changed to Chambersburg when Franklin County was erected in 1784.
The limits of the town. at that time were on the north by the Falling Spring, on the east by Second Street, on the south by approximately Liberty Street, and on the west by the Conococheague Creek.
In the beginning of the 19th Century no streets had been graded or paved, although each property owner was required to maintain a walk in front of his own property. The original plan of the inhabitants was to make Second Street the principal business street, but this was changed to Main Street after considerable influence was exerted by those property owners.
Prior to 1813, the Lincoln Highway and Main Street were repaired by the Turnpike Company, by turnpiking which consisted of placing one foot of broken stone covered with gravel and clay. The first record of a contract awarded by the Borough was in 1813 to repair the Lincoln Highway and Main Street near the "Diamond."
The first covered storm sewer was built in Burkhart Avenue from Main Street to the Creek in 1823. This sewer had an inside height of 41/2 feet and width of 31/2 feet.
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