SUBMIT A STORY ABOUT ATGLEN
 
Story 1

ATGLEN WATER COMPANY

By Mary Garrett


On February 15, 1904, a meeting was called to organize the Atglen Water Company by the stockholders: Robert Futhey, chairman; W.D. Swisher, secretary; Samuel Whitson, treasurer. Directors were, F.W. Focht, Robert Futhey, Samuel Whitson, John D. Hastings and W.D. Swisher.

J. Frank Hause, attorney, was to apply for a charter. This charter was granted on March 25, 1904.

On March 30th, a committee was appointed to secure the two (2) Mackey Springs for the sum of $250.00.

Mr. Focht was elected president in April. He owned the Atglen Hotel. Meetings were held either at his establishment or in the offices of Futhey & Swisher or Wm. Hastings & Son.

Mr. H T. Downing was engaged to make a plan for the pipes from the plant through the town. Later he was to prepare specifications and ask for bids for construction of the plant except the reservoir. On June 18, 1904, the contract was awarded to W.G. Fritz & Bro. of Quarryville. Plant was to be completed by September 1.

Rates for use of water were set in July. The rates of Aberdeen County and Harford County, Maryland, were used as standard. 250 copies of the rates were printed and distributed. Also it was voted to put taps and ferrules in pipes at houses not taking water and at vacant lots.

In August, the Borough Council asked to have fourteen fireplugs installed. It was agreed the Water Company install thirteen plugs, giving two free of charge for five years. (In 1972 there are 23 hydrants).

By now money was tight as it was all going out and no return, so the stockholders were asked to loan the company on a note 50% of their stock payable in five years without interest. 

A reservoir was ordered built – 25 feet in diameter and 8 feet deep. Fritz and Bro. got the contract. Mr. Todd was hired to building a retaining wall around the reservoir.

March 21, 1905, a motion was carried to pay Mr. Wm. Ferguson $325.00 for water rights. In September this figure was changed to $400.00 as per Mr. Ferguson’s wish. Also an attorney was hired to look after their interests in suit for damages brought by I.P. Chalfant Jr. and others. In January 1906, F.W. Focht sold his shares and resigned as president and director. J.D. Hastings was elected in his place.

February 1906, pipe was ordered laid to new houses on Third Avenue. In March, a 4” pipe was to be laid north from Ridge Avenue to Mr. Whitson’s new house. November 1906, the Atglen Paper Company applied for water for spraying. They do the work and pay $12.00 per year and $5.00 for connection.

The damage suit brought by Chalfant Hardware Manufacturing Company went to court and the verdict was in their favor. The attorney was instructed to try for an “out of court” settlement before appealing to the Supreme Court. It is not clear in thee minutes how this was settled, but in 1909, the Chalfant Company was again asking for damages for water used from the stream in an emergency. After this, the company contacted the P.R.R. for emergency water. An agreement was easily reached.

Mr. Ferguson again asked damages for taking water from the stream. This time it cost the company $1,250.00 for a complete release.

In 1912, 14,887 square feet of land was purchased from Jones & Beaver (?). This land was around the upper Mackey spring.

By this time, the collection of water rents amounted to $1,450.92, but 1350 was not collected (no decimal). In January 1913, $1,503.65 had been collected with $60.89 due. Also it was voted to build a fence around the reservoir.

In 1914, the water main was extended on Lower Valley Road to the John E. Miller property and a fireplug was installed on the corner of Valley Road and Main Street.

By 1915, collections amounted to $1,673.70, with $345.13 due. Notice was sent to the Atglen Hotel that their bill must be paid or water service would be cut off. This started a long series of collections of overdue bills.

In 1916, an agreement was reached between the Atglen Gas Company and the Atglen Water Company for location of pipelines.

J. P. Thompson claimed damages to a team and wagon in 1917. This was settled for $24.90. 11/17 – Ross Winters connections replaced.

Then trouble at the water works. The upper Mackey Spring broke out and emptied the reservoir. Again water from P.R.R. alleviated the problem.

Scott Powell Creamery was not satisfied with their rate set so a meter was installed. They were to pay for water used or service would discontinue. Scott Powell billed $150.00 for water. Rate for Dr. Irwin’s house was set at $24.00 per year in 1917.

During the summer of 1918, people were experiencing a severe drought. Everyone was requested to conserve water. Meters were installed at Townsend Bros. and Hogg Motor Company. The water shortage made it necessary to obtain a better supply for the reservoir, so two wells were drilled and pumps installed. A well near Hammond Spring was 53 ½ feet deep and pumped 40 gallons per minute. The second well on the hill is 82 feet deep – 344 gallons in fifteen minutes. Filled up again at three gallons per minute. Again in 1921 water was short (2 feet in reservoir) so another agreement was made with P.R.R. if they had enough to spare. From August 18 to November 24, 632,060 gallons were used at a cost of $69.53, 11 cents per thousand gallons.

In 1922, the State Board of Health required plans of the source of supply and all pipes and fire hydrants. For then on, all pumps, pipes and supply had to be approved by the Board of Health.

By 1922 a 6% dividend was paid to stockholders out of earnings. (1927 – 8%). In 1923, the Atglen Mushroom Company requested water. January 1922, Sarah D.F. Phillips was elected first woman on the board of directors. As the town grew, so did the extensions on the water main. Two fire hydrants were installed in 1928, one at the corner of Brackbill’s bungalow, and one at Third and Leroy Larges’.

In 1930, a dividend of 8% and 2% extra dividend was paid to stockholders. Each director was paid $100.00, the secretary $300.00, treasurer $200.00 and auditors $10.00. The board of directors was: T. J. Phillips, Sarah D. Phillips, H. S. Boyd and 
W. D. Swisher.

After years of trying to collect unpaid water rents it was voted reluctantly on October 31 to shut off water where rent was in arrears. 

After Mr. Swisher’s death, a new board of directors was elected. They were: Sarah I. Swisher, T. J. Phillips, H.S. Boyd, George Sener and Sarah D. F. Phillips. George Sener was elected secretary and collector. In 1934, it was voted to collect rents quarterly instead of semi-annually. In 1936 a new electric motor was purchased to replace the gasoline one. At the annual meeting in 1937, it was decided to collect the rents at the end of the quarter rather than in advance. A special meeting was called in December 1939, to appoint a director to fill the unexpired term of the late Mr. Phillips. Mrs. Harlan Plank was elected. In 1940, Mr. Charles Phillips was appointed to the board.

January 18, 1941, a letter was received from P.R.R. as follows:

“We find that there is a 6” metered connection between the P.R.R 24,” pipe line and your system in the Borough of Atglen. The pit housing the meter is in a very deteriorated condition and forms a hazard. In view of the fact that this connection has not been used in fifteen or twenty years, it is suggested that you remove the meter and block the pipelines, permitting us to fill in the pit. We would propose to mark the site with a post so that connection could be dug up and temporary water service rendered you in the event of drought.

There is also the fact that the meter is probably not in operating condition due to its age and infrequency of use.

Yours very truly,

T. Morris, Engineer of Water Services”

In 1954, the Octorara water was needed. While new Route 41 was being constructed the 6” cast iron water main on Swan Road was crushed. The reservoir empted rapidly, so Pennsylvania Power & Light supplied current (cost - $199.09) to pump water from the railroad to the reservoir. (Water cost $203.60). Total cost of new main, etc. was $2,321.90 over usual operating expense. In 1941, the Byler farm was purchased for increased water supply. Some of this was sold. In 1942, first use of chlorination and analysis.

As the town grew, so did the water lines. New mains were extended to West Valley Avenue and extensions of West Ridge during the 1940’s.

On December 16 1953, the sale of stock of the Atglen Water Company to the Borough of Atglen for $50,000.00 was unanimously approved by directors representing 96 shares of stock. At the primary election in 1955, the people of Atglen voted to permit the Borough to purchase the company and supply our water. The sale was finalized on September 23, 1955. Mr. Park, attorney, was authorized to proceed with the dissolution of the Atglen water Company.

In 1972, Mr. Paul Hutchinson is plant supervisor under the direction of our Council.

Written by the late Mary Garrett
November 16, 1972