This Day in History: Wed. May 14th 1924

This Day in History: Wed. May 14th 1924

COST OF FIRE HOUSE AT MILLTOWN SET AT $15,000; MERCHANT SUBMITS PLANS


Milltown, May 14th – Architect Alexander Merchant submitted to the borough council on Monday night a sketch of the proposed new Fire house which is to be erected on the Cottage avenue side of the playground in the rear of the school. The cost of the building, submitted for approval of the officials was estimated at $15,000. A figure far in excess of what the borough fathers anticipated on spending. The plans, however, call for a magnificent home for the fire fighters. With a large place to house two machines on the ground floor. On the upper floor will be a meeting room and a recorder’s office.

It is also planned to have a lockup on the ground floor where “customers” may be kept over night. The plans call for a brick building. After debating the price, the councilmen could not come to any agreement on the subject and consequently had to lay the matter on the table for further consideration in view of the fact that only $8,000 was set aside in the budget for this purpose.

It is also planned to have a lockup on the ground floor where “customers” may be kept over night.

A request was received from the owners of Booream avenue asking the borough to take over the street. This was referred to the borough engineer to investigate. If the street is found in acceptable condition, the council will no doubt take it over at the next meeting. This refers to the eastern part of the street or the extension which has been opened during the past year. The street was recently scraped by the owners.

A very serious situation has arisen at the sewerage disposal plant in taking care of the waste from the eastern section of the borough or the part from the Russell Playing Card Company to the plant. It seems that this waste comes through the pipes in clugs due to the wax-like waste material which runs out from the Card Company plant. Many complaints have been made but the condition is such that only a clean out of the pipes every two days will remedy it. Further consideration of this matter will be given attention at the next meeting.

The “welcome” signs are, here and will be erected at the various places as soon as chairman of the streets committee can secure permits. They give a glad welcome to strangers when they enter the town and ask them to call again when leaving, They are to be erected at Miller’s. the entrance to Milltown from South River on the main street, at the big bridge, at Riva avenue bridge, at Elkins Lane, and at Ryder’s Lane.


10/04/1956 - HOSE COMPANY - These are 29 of the 40 members of the Eureka Hose Company No. 1 of the MIlltown Fire Department. The men with their equipment are pictured in front of their headquarters, the Cottage Avenue firehouse, built in 1925.
10/04/1956 – HOSE COMPANY – These are 29 of the 40 members of the Eureka Hose Company No. 1 of the MIlltown Fire Department. The men with their equipment are pictured in front of their headquarters, the Cottage Avenue firehouse, built in 1925.

Today in History: March 9th 1924

Today in History: March 9th 1924

Milltown to Further Consider Annexation Plan

The Daily Times: New Brunswick, N.J. Sunday March 9th 1924


MILLTOWN, March 9.—The recent announcement that New Brunswick was endeavoring  to annex a portion of North Brunswick township, has aroused considerable interest among local people. A few years ago, the people of this locality at an election, voiced sentiment against the annexation of a portion of North Brunswick township. At the time, those who favored the Idea, termed it, “a sad mistake.” Today these same people if they had It to do over again it Is declared, would vole, on the affirmative side.

Milltown fought hard to annex a strip of land, known as the Vanderbilt Manor, and rightfully should have had It, but the measure was defeated when it came up for action. All of the local political leaders were in harmony with that project, and backed it solidly, which made another class of voters believe It was a frame-up.

Mayor Herbert Intimated this week, that the people living In the Vanderbilt Manor want to be Joined to the borough and have consented to work for the proposition. The Mayor believes that if Milltown doesn’t get busy right away on the project that New Brunswick will come along and get a portion that would someday be a bright spot for this town. It Is understood that officials of the North Brunswick township are ready to lend aid to Milltown In getting this strip of land, where there are now upwards of twenty homes according to figures available in the building books, several more homes will be erected in this particular section this coming summer. Taxes in the township are naturally not near so large as in the borough but the resident owners are anxious to get conveniences and will make up the difference without complaint if such can be brought about. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Potter is in both Milltown and the township and others are on the direct boundary, yet Milltown cannot give to these people all the conveniences that they desire, although several have been connected with the sewer, at their own expense, of course.

It Is likely that Mayor Herbert will make a strong effort to have the proposition brought up again, and he will get the solid endorsement of the council as well as all the former enthusiasts. It is expected that no trouble will be experienced to have the anti-annexation ones lined up on this occasion. No matter how one looks at it, if the project can be made possible, and this portion added to the borough. it will benefit the town, in several ways, as well as give an added revenue from taxes.