(Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Sunday Dispatch on Feb. 9, 1947.)

There is a three way mix-up in Dupont borough that really keeps things warm and the average citizen interested. The three parties involved are the Dupont borough Council, The Property Owners Association and the Dupont Volunteer Hose Company.

The latest is the desire of the Hose Company to purchase a new fire truck to replace the current “chug-chugger” which is more of a hindrance than a help. Pointing to this, the firemen asked the borough council for approximately $3,000 which they allege is due them from 1 mill placed on taxes beginning in 1942 and earmarked for the Fire Equipment Fund. Council came back with the statement that the 1 mill levy was for a Special equipment fund and could be used for the purchase of garbage trucks or any other equipment, and “if the fire department wants a new fire truck, let them buy it out of fire company funds.”

Council also wanted to know what the Hose Company did with all its other income and hinted that funds were mismanaged. The fire department members present at the discussion officially requested a committee of the Property owners to go over the books and make an audit of funds received.

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Hose Company members say that Council majority is still feeling sore because they were denied membership in the Hose Company several months ago. Considerable controversy raged in the borough at that time.

Meanwhile, the Hose Company has advertised for bids on the fire truck, and will purchase regardless, but definite action will be taken to obtain the $3,000 from council.

Riding along side this dispute is another dispute between the property owners association and the council over a proposed bond issue of $16,000. The Hose Company is interested because some of the re-financing will mean income to the Fire Department.

The property owners association after keeping silence at the meeting of council when the Bond Issue agreement was authorized, now come out against the issue.

A check of old records reveals that in the original published ordinance on the 1942 budget, it was stipulated that one mill be set aside for Fire Department equipment. The mill levy was added at that time at the instance of the chairman of Civilian Defense. Firemen concede that it is likely the designation of the fund has been changed to read special equipment, but the original ordinance supersedes all else.

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