The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-03-11


our ''show places, to be seen by all pass
Ing through the town. Negotiations
were at once begun with the railroad com
pany, but as soon as it leaked out that we
were considering this place. some Of the
citizens objected to the location of q
school in that vicinity, and they were so
close in touch with the Pennsylvania rail
road company, that we were told that the
real estate agent would not recommend
the acceptance of S.. 900, nor the sale of
the lot for use as school site.
Then we turned back to the academy
site. only 10 find that property had sud-
denly increased in value and that 1t was
worth to the owner Sc, 900, or 81, 500 more
than 1t was valued at two weeks before
Just here 1t might do no harm to remark
that while one neighborhoodf felt 1t would be
detrimental to have a school building, the
suggestion of other sites had the effect in
nearly every instance of increasing the
price of real estate. Finding we were
up against it, we decided to work out the
present site with the Heard property as a
nucleus, and after securing options on the
several lots we had in mind, an election
was called for August %, 1911, and you
were asked to appropriate SAG, 900 for
land, building and furniture This you
granted by vote of 143 for and 81 against.
We purchased the properties and breathed
easier for day or two. when we found
that owing to the irregularity of property
lines we ought to have the Straugh houses
which had come into the market since our
earlier negotiations. We did not think it
necessary to ask for more money, but we
did call another meeting to authorize us
to divert So, 900 from building appropri-
ations to the purchase Of land This was
approved by the vote of 72 In favor and 2
against. Then the Attorney General STEP
ped In and said some of our proceedings
were not strictly regular, and he advised
us how to proceed Once more we asked
your help, and you did scat least 10 of
you did-and we got the entire IS votes,
and the number was not unlucky.
That settled the lot buying question,
but we had had on our hands, for some
time, an architect, whose services we had
secured after considerable investigation of
his work and inquiry into his ability
with him 1t was to plan building we
required and keep his beauty lines and
details, cost to be considered later. After
weeks OF consideration of general plans,
heating plant and details so numerous
that we will not talk of them here, we
go W. tAoN0 AOl Ou OCCcmDGE IL, 1911.
just eleven months after our first official
move. We received bids which ranged
from $30, O67 to $53, 70, and we dis
covered that we were short in cur estimate
after having paid So 600 for the Straugh
We pared this and cut out
that, impressing upon our architect that
we wanted utility in preference to beauty.
Brown stone trim went, fancy bricks were
discarded. extra finish in some of the base
nent rooms was materially changed, and
On January II, 1919, we had other bids.
exclusive of heating, running from $780,
500 to $41, 80. Then came more dicker-
ng and pairing, and finally, one week
alter, January IS. 1912, the contract was
ct for. the building and heating for 1876, 857-
%. work to be finished by August 81, 1919.
This was our first years work. The
pecial committee that had been looking
nto details was discharged and the entire
board was appointed a committee of the
whole.
incidentally 1t might be mentioned that
ne members of the Board had spent con-
iderable time visiting various buildings,
Examining heating plants. and gaining
uch information as might be valuable.
Now came the building, but in the
meanwhile we had to move from the
Heard property, and we were hard pressed |
o provide for the classes which had been |
Iuartered there. We doubled up two
lasses in the building on the opposite |
ide of the street, and were fortunate to |
ave an offer from the Good Intent Fire |
company to use room in their building. |
Without charge, for the kindergarten. |
his was after we had been refused rooms |
q buildings in charge of those we had
eason to believe would be the first to
pen their DOORS
1t was not much of task to sell the old |
and their contents but 1t took
Ime and attention, and then followed the
aging out and locating the building on
be lot. This being done work was com.
lenced on the foundations Then we
ad more trouble. Water everywhere-I
prings, quicksand, wells, all Just where
hey were in the way. However we went
1t and put In a foundation that we
elieve will stay to the end of time. but
took over 500 of our money that we
ould lily afford to spare to do the work
that hole in the ground below where
Ie believed our work would commence.
We got out of this dilemma In Nav and
anne up to our exterior and interior
ais and to insure perfect safety we
dded 20 per cent. to the thickness of the
lterior walls, ran up extra brick piers,
nd reinforced all the outside walls with
rick instead of tile wherever there was a
caring wall. All this was done by direc-
on OF the Board both as to contractor
nd architect.
AS the building progressed doubt if
lere was a single day without one or
lore members OF the Board being on the
ID, and, when the work required, 1t was
most continuous inspection. Every wall,
one, brick, tile with steel beams, In this
uilding had been watched closely and
very item was required to be made right;
some instances there was tearing out
nd rebuilding. We feel that the strength
the building has been made secure and
nile In detail some matters may have
cen overlooked, the integrity of the
uilding is complete.
1t is unnecessary for me to call attention
the general plan of the building, It's
0nveniences or facilities. You see them
Il. We have given you 10 fine class
)oms, an auditorium equal In size to four
ooms more, domestic science room, a
lanual training room, a fine gymnasium,
nd all other necessary conveniences, and
Il This has been kept down in cost to the
west limit. We had our troubles to &C
0mplish this. and when final settlement
as made we collected from the general
ontractor nearly 81 900 because of faulty
'ork and delay In completing the contract.
ri because our architect was adjudged
nave been remiss In his duty of atten-
on TO the full inspection of the building
lille In process of construction, we cut
'om his fees over $3.50, and it Is doubtful
haf~ L /
being penalized. We have en-
Favored In every way to protect the In.
'rests of the taxpayers. To do this has
Ieant work for every member of the
oard, and neglect of his own business
nd personal affairs times without num-
er. But we have the satisfaction in feel
lg. / NAV saw In knowing that xua hauo |