The Penn's Grove record., 1921-01-28
Volunteer Firemen
In Ugly Mood
They Do Not Favor RcOrganiza-
ton AS Provided In New Orr
dinance And Threaten To
Quit If 1t Passes

49, 4@NJ VI VIM ~ AAASO IA LS60
lar session on tuesday evening. Mayor
Samuel NJ. Hunt presided and all the
members answered to roll call.
In the absence of Borough Clerk
Walter A.. Hunt, who is i'll with the
grip, Charles r. Leonard was APP
pointed clerk pro tenn.
Charles l.. Smith, Chairman of the
Commute on Streets and Sidewalks,
reported that he had made a contract
for sufficient cinders to make needed
repairs to State Street and Railroad
Avenue and such other streets as
needed patching.
Since the meeting the work on State
Street and Railroad Avenue has been
completed and work was commenced
on East Harmony Street. Other
streets and avenues to receive atten-
ton are Willis and Walnut Streets
and Smith Avenue.
An additional $4,000 insurance was
ordered placed on the Borough hall
to cover the 80 per cent. clause in the
existing policies. This makes a total
of $4,000 on the building.
David P. Featherer, Collector, re-
ported to the Finance Committee a
cash balance on hand of ~$9,312.53.
The annual report of the Collector
of the receipts and expenditures for
1920 was presented to the Council.
The total receipts from all sources
for the year were $106 ,800.13. Ex-
p%enditures, $96,712.07. Balance, $10,-
088.06. The Board of Health received
$635.33 and expended $476.68. The
Public Building Account showed re-
ceipts of ~$55,242.49 and expenditures,
$54,820.24. This relates to the Bor-
ough hall. There was received from
miscellaneous sources, including Ii
censes, fees, fines, etc., $12,203.56. Of
this amount S 3,609.38 was transferred
to various accounts, leaving a balance
of $8,594.17.
Total OF outstanding bonds are IS
Special road bonds $4,000 and 81
Borough hall bonds $4,000.
The report was ordered published.
The amount received from permits
for opening streets was such a
small sum for the entire year that
it created surprise and the Clerk was
instructed to confer with the Finance
Committee and find out why there
should not be more revenue from this
source.
Overseer of the Poor Charles r.
Leonard reported having investigated
81 cases of distress and rendered aid
where the persons were found worthy.
Nh. Smith said that in view Of eX-
isting conditions there would likely be
a good many cases where aid would be
required for a considerable period,
and he suggested that individuals hav-
ing no family who were likely to be-
come a burden upon the Borough for
a considerable period be sent to the
County house as the poor fund would
be heavily taxed to look after families
in temporary need. If individuals
without wife, husband or children OBJ
jected being provided for in this way
they should not receive other relief.
The Tax Committee was instructed
to confer with the Solicitor and devise
some plan to collect the delinquent
taxes outstanding, covering a period
of years and amounting to about
S45, 900. As long as these unpaid
taxes are carried by the Borough they
are considered an asset.
This makes them a part of the sum
upon which the State and County
taxes are based and becomes an ex-
n to the Borough which it should
not bear.
Asa S. Justice was asked for in
formation as to the manner OF making
such collections in the past and gave
the Council some interesting data. he
was also of the opinion that Council
or the Collector could deputize a per-
son to collect the delinquent taxes.
Some such plan is necessary as Coun-
Gil should know how much of such
taxes is uncollectable and have it
taken from the books.
The budget ordinance for 1921
passed second reading after some
change in the appropriations. The
amount for water rents was increased
from $1,000 to $500 as additional fire
plugs were needed.\ $500 was added
for the poor, making the appropria-
ton $1,000. The administration ap-
preparation was increased from 5000
to $4,000.
In the matter of the increase for
the poor B. Noel Gross was granted
the privilege of the floor and made an
appeal for the larger sum. Many were
out of work with families to provide
for. Some help was being received
from other sources than Overseer of
the Poor, but available money from
these sources was about exhausted.
He did not consider $1,000 an excessive
amount for this purpose. Upper Penns
Neck appropriation was $1,000, and
there were various charitable activ-
tiles among the dupont workmen.
The Fire Department ordinance pro
voked considerable acrimonious dis
cussion. The Liberty Volunteer Fire
Company now comprising the Bor-
ough's fire fighting force is not dis
posed to come under the jurisdiction
and control of the Borough except as
at present constituted with its mem
bership intact.
Chief Harry N. Johnson took the
floor and defended the Company's
stand. He said many of their mem
bers had seen long and faithful SER
vice and it was not fair that the Com
coptinued on page