South Newton Twp. Vol. Fire Company #49

A 1954 Dodge 4 x 4 truck was acquired from the State Bureau of Forestry for use as a brush truck.

A dedication ceremony for the new firehouse was held. Among the guests who were present were: State Representative Fred Noye, Nelson Punt, Jacob Myers and Raymond Sawyer & Cumberland County Commissioners, and Maynard Naugle & John Lautsbaugh Jr. & South Newton Township Supervisors. The total cost of the project was $33,500.00. Of that, $27,500.00 was paid for the building and $6,000.00 for the land.

Construction of the new firehouse started. The building consisted of two truck bays, a bathroom, office, kitchen, storage room and a meeting/social room.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new firehouse. Among the guests who were present were: State Representative Fred Noye, Mervin Morrison & President of Farmer's National Bank and Maynard Naugle & John Lautsbaugh Jr. & South Newton Township Supervisors.

New construction plans were drawn and approved for a two-bay firehouse and a loan was secured by the Farmer's National Bank in Newville, PA. The terms of the loan were $15,000.00 at 7% interest.

The final payment on the $18,000.00 loan from the People's National
Bank in Shippensburg, PA was made. The loan was paid in less than two
years.

The FHA loan was disapproved.

The original construction plans for a three-bay firehouse were drawn and approved by the company. The company submitted an application to FHA for a $40,000.00 loan.

A building committee was appointed by President Bowers consisting of Robert Frehn Sr. (chairman), Glenn Keefer, Fred Wagner, Kenneth McBeth, Samuel Martin, John Holtry and David McBeth. The committee was assigned to start planning for the construction of a new firehouse.

The company purchased two acres of land from John Pattison adjacent to the Rehobeth Community Center for a cost of $6,000.00. An additional $4,500.00 was financed with the People's National Bank for a total financed of $18,000.00

A ladies auxiliary of the South Newton Township Volunteer Fire Company was formed.

The first two pieces of fire equipment were purchased. A 1958 Ford Tanker (Tanker 149) was purchased from the Franklin Fire Company, Station 4 of Chambersburg, PA for a cost of $6,500.00 and a 1954 Ford Tanker (Tanker 249) was purchased from the Vigilant Hose Company #52 of Shippensburg, PA for a cost of $2,800.00. A loan was borrowed from People's National Bank in Shippensburg for payment of the trucks and equipment. The terms were $13,500.00 at 7% interest.

An agreement was signed with the Rehobeth Community Center for a five-year period (04-01-1976 to 03-31-1981) at $300.00 per year for rental of part of the building utilized as a firehouse.

The first election of officers for the South Newton Township Volunteer Fire Company was held. The officers elected are listed below.

• President: Irvin Bowers Jr.
• Vice President: John Holtry
• Secretary: Larry Davidson
  Asst.
• Secretary: Darrell Goodhart
• Treasurer: Kenneth McBeth
• Chaplain: Clarence Holtry
• Trustee: Samuel Martin
• Trustee: Glenn Keefer
• Trustee: Robert Frehn
• Sr.
  Fire Chief: Albert Grove
• 1st Asst. Chief: Harold Wilson
• 2nd Asst. Chief: Larry Davidson
• Engineer: David Coon
• Asst. Engineer: David Evelhoch
• Chief Director: Robert Davidson
• Director: David McBeth
• Director: David Durff

The South Newton Township Volunteer Fire Company #49 was chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The first meeting was held with John Brannan presiding for the purpose of fo rming a fire company in South Newton Township. Irvin Bowers Jr., Samuel Martin and Robert Frehn Sr. were elected as interim Trustees to conduct the affairs of the company during the transition period. The name of the new company to be the South Newton Township Volunteer Fire Company #49.