The Penn's Grove record., 1921-11-04
Water Question
Under Discussion
Lengthy Discussion Is Ha AS
To Laying of New Mains and
More Fire Hydrants

The Mayor and Council met in reg
ular session on Tuesday night. Mayor
S. NJ. Hunt presided. Members pres
ent were Smith, Fahy, Gillison, Pyne,
Kidd, Clerk w. A. Hunt and Solicitor
Leap.
J. Adelbert higgins, head of the
Penns Grove Water Company, was
present by invitation and a lengthy
and interesting discussion was enter
ed into upon the matter of extending
the water mains and improving the
fire service in different sections of the
Borough. Walnut Street and ada
cent sections were without service.
Those districts were being gradually
built up and considerable revenues
from taxation was derived from them.
They should be given consideration.
A blue print map of the Borough
showed where pipes were wanted and
needed.
If bonds could be sold for an
amount necessary to cover the ex-
pense ar eight-inch main could be
laid on Walnut Street to Smith Ave-
nue., thence to Main Street that would
make a belt line covering the district.
The expense would be approximately
$4,000.
Mr.. Higgins doubted, however,
whether there were enough improve
ments in the way of dwellings and
other buildings likely to use water to
carry cost of construction and up
keep. The company would expect a
gross return of at least 25 per cent.
on the investment which would leave
them about s per cent net.
Turner Avenue, Pearl and Poplar
Streets, were also considered with
necessary bonding.
The Public Utility Commission
would hardly be likely to approve any
new extensions unless sufficient rev.
n u could be had to guarantee against
loss.
The Water Company was willing
and anxious to cooperate with the
Borough in every, way, but raising of
necessary funds and sufficient earning
to cover a fair return upon the out
lay must be considered.
Rates were not so high here as in
other places, yet this is the only COM
pany that has not applied to the Util-
ity Commission for an increase.
Glassboro pays $50 for fire plugs.
Penns Grove pays $40. The lowest
anywhere else is $50. Glassboro and
other places are asking for an in
crease.
These Improvements and extensions
of service were no doubt needed but
the people must understand they can
not be had for nothing.
AS to the water pressure, Mr.. Rig
gins said the company would install
free a weekly pressure gauge IN the
Borough hall at a cost to them of
about SIS. By this means the pres
u 7 can be told at any time.
The Company and the Water Com
mittee would get together and map
out the zones where extensions and
hydrants were contemplated.
The Property Committee was in
structed to build a cupboard in the
fire quarters.
The Electric Company, it was an
nounced. would take up the matter OF
lights through Highland Park and
Smith tract with the Lighting Com
mittee at once.
The ordinance adjusting salaries OF
Borough officials passed final reading
President McCloskey, of the fire
company, wanted to know when the
new apparatus was likely to arrive.
as they were anxious to begin prep
arations for the great demonstration
to be held.
The balance of the cost for repairs
10 State Street and Railroad Avenue
was ordered paid. The total eXpnse
of the work was $5,534.33.