The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-12-31


is passing this week into history.
In the year of busy municipal activ-
ity, the major event was completion of
the towns long-deferred sewage dis
uosal system, a move which finally
brought to an end more than three
decades of controversy between the
town and the state with regard to the
problem of handling local sewage
and waste.
Cost of the project has been in ex-
cess of $580,00O, with two uncom-
pleted sewer projects remaining on
the program, cost of which is estimat-
ed in the neighborhood of $4,000.
These sewers were not completed
with the remainder of the program,
when sewer construction funds were
exhausted.
In the work completed over 13-
months period, more than three miles
of intercepting sewers were con-
structed, and a modern sewage treat
nnent plant was erected on grounds
adjacent to Buckeye lake.
Parking Facilities Expanded
Expansion of downtown parking
lot facilities also was included in the
municipal improvement program,
when the village bought land prev
iously owned by Grover Devier and
added it to the parking lot at the
rear of business buildings on the east
side of downtown Main street.
For the additional protection of
rural residents served by the Button
fire department, water tank truck
was added to its fire fighting facili-
ties during the year. The $4,700
water truck was purchased with
money raised in the rural districts.
Town Hall Chimes
A distinctive and musical note was
added to the towns atmosphere with
the installation of facilities for play
ing chimes three times daily from the
tower of the town hall. Funds for
the project kere provided by the
Button Business Mems association
and r. L. Triplett.
As a companion to the chimes, the
village fathers had the town clock
electrified during the year, and the
passage of each hour now is marked
by musical notes played through the
chimes system.
Another highlight of the season
was continuation of busy residential
construction activity, although the
pace was off somewhat from the
boom proportions of the postwar
years.
Six New Homes Started
During 1853, constitution of six
new homes was started ne~e, less
Than half the total of the proceed
ing year when 13 were reported. &c
the 13 started in 1852, however, only
seven actually were inside the city
limits.
Residential construction starts in
other postwar years have been as
follows: 1851, 10; 1850, IA Ia record) /;
1949, 10; 1948, five; 1947, ID; 1916,
IA.
New homes added to the town in
1853 were those of Delbert McGinnis,
Garmatter addition; John Klay, West
Elm street; Roger Klay, West Elm
street; Ropp Triplett, Schumacher
addition; Mrs. Mary Sims, East JEFF
ferson street, and Marshall Adams,
East Jefferson Street.
Open Memorial Home Project
Another construction event of
major Importance was start of the
new Mennonite Memorial Home on
West Elm street. Construction for
the new building was completed be-
fore the advent of bad winter wealth
er, and everything is set for an early
start on the building proper next
spring.
Emergence of Bluffton as center
of the Television Tower industry for
Northwestern Ohio came during the
year with the expansion of business
done by Dana Mathewson and Loren
Steinman, two separate industrial
establishments building towers on an
unusual swinging" feature which
had its inception in Button.
Two local businesses changed
hands during the year, with Robert
Crow buying Ruff's Variety store, and
Frank Lugibihl taking over the
Montgomery Newsstand.
One of the towns oldest Industries
also made news during the year, when
new Salad Set put out by the Bluff
ton Slaw Cutter Co. won first-place
award for design from the New Year
Museum of Modern Art.
College Wins Recognition
In the educational field, Bluffton
college gained an additional mark of
distinction when it was fully accredit-
ed by the North Central Association
Of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
AT Bluffton High school, major inn
nroyemer1ts included the installation
Of 800 new seats in the auditorium,
Ye-decoration of the walls and addi-