The Penn's Grove record., 1919-12-26
New Borough Hall
Is Now Assured
The Penns Grove National Bank
Takes Entire Issue of Bonds
Bids and Plans Scaled
Down

The Mayor and Council met in regu-
lar session on Tuesday night and it was
probably the most important meeting
ever held by tina body since the incor-
poration of the Borough in 1894, as the
building of a handsome new Borough
hall. and fire house was practically de-
cided upon. The architect and his as
sistants were present. also all inter
ested contractors. representatives of
the different banks and a few citizens,
making an unusually large gathering
for a council meeting.
In the absence of Mayor Arthur 5.
Smith, Howard Borden presided. The
members present were Borden, Pyne,
Keen and Fahy.
Outside of paying bills for current
EXPENSES of the Borough practically all
the business transacted was In RELATION
to the new Borough hall
At an adjourned meeting last Friday
night the architect and contractors
met with the Council for the purpose
of revising the plans and speclhcatfons
downward and cutting down bids IN
order to- come within the limits OF the
amount of money that can De e@-
pended upon the building.
While they made numerous changes
at that time it was found on Tuesday
night that the cost would still exceed
the limit. so another revision OF plans
was made and the various cuts and
e~liminations finally brought the figures
down to the amount allowed
The first revised bid of George w.
Sbaner & Sons, of Palmyra, N. j., was
cut from their original bid of $59,FS9 TO
$4S,19s-
The Original bid of f.. j. Kreitzen-
berg. of Philadelphia, was $59,240. This
was cut to $46,74O.
& McCloskey, for cleo
-. " ro7rVao1 their hid
about $69e-
N. onnel of Philadelphia, present.
ed separate original bids for plumbing
and heating. They aggregated $6,4S4.
His reduced bid was $4,000.
r. H. Elliott's bid for plumbing and
heating was originally $6,194. This
was reduced to $6t149, "a reduction OF
over $1,000.
Architect CLYDE S. Adams then sex-
MANNED the changes in design and nm
ishings it had been necessary to make
in order to get these reductions. There
will be little, if any, marble used, tile
being substituted; also brick instead
OF tile, 5oists instead of ireproof con-
struction above first floor, hard, red
hr;ch instead of fancy finished brick,
all ornamental outside balconies at
windows. roof to be lowered sixteen
inches. slate instead of tile roof, less
expensive hardware no
frescoing in Council room, CLOCK
tower changed from Moorish to Colo
NAL design. -
The changes made on Friday night
brought the figures down to $46,740 on
the general contract. This was still
foo high. however, as $43,051 was all
that could be spent.
After the second revision Contractor
Kreitzenberg's figures came safely
within that amount. He asks for ten
months time in which to complete the
contract instead of seven months as
originally decided upon. He will re-
ceiye the contract, but it was decided
not to act Upon it definitely until the
meeting to be held next TUESDAY
night.
There were two bids received for the
bonds.
The First National Bank of Elmer
offered to take the entire issue OF $o4'-
900 at par with accrued interest, the
t-ate of interest to be 5 per cent
Their bid, however, required that the
money shalt remain i'm their bank and
be disbursed from that source.
The Penns Grove National Bank made
practically the same offer, par and ac-
s,rued interest, the rate to be 5 per cent.
nd the money to be dispersed from
hat bank. but in addition they agreed
q have the bonds printed and furnish
s5aem without cost to the Borough.
heir bid was accepted.
Assessor Joseph N. Layman addressed
he Council upon the matter of John w.
rumhulrs complaints that his lots on
asst Main Street Morgan tract) were
ssessed too high. He said there was
tuch variation in their value and they
m to various depths. The assessments
e generally made upon the front foot,
depth had little bearing upon the
lue of building lots. He had at Mr..
umbulrs request transferred the as
ssment of many lots to their re-
,ctive owners as they had agreed to
the taxes. 1t is likely there Will
a general revision in the matter OF
estate assessments
Mplicitor S. Rushing Leap stated that
Mr.. Trumbul1 took a similar
~vance before the State Board OF
4atfon some time ago, that body re-
knended that all lot assessments
Slld be made upon the front foot
and the idea should be made gen.
throughout the State.
IL. Leap also stated that in view OF
fg falling off in assessments on du-
It non-proGuctive holdings there was
jly likely to be any reductions
de. Rather they would have to be
reased to make up for this loss.
Mr.. Keen moved that the matter be
resented to the County Board of Tax
ton, Mr.. Trumbull to present his case
% hat body.
Treasurer David P. Featherer re-
ported a balance on hand of $S,072.9S.
Borough Clerk Hunt was directed to
write Joseph f. Burke, Plainfield! ask
ing whether he would sell a quantity
of broken stone now on the siding in
Penns Grove and what price he wanted
a ton for it.
r.. P. Willis presented the prices for
v~arieesYsize3 Of, stone from a respon-
sibIe quarry They asked no
advance on the prices given.
B.. Noel Gross. representing Com
munity Welfare stated that a per-
manent trained nurse could be secured
for Penns Grove. The State would fur
nish the nul Sc, pay all expenses, sucn
as salary. &C., if the Borough would
furnish an office and place for clinics
The Woman's, Club will pay the cost OF
heating.