February 13 — The Chambersburg Borough Council will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, 100 South Second Street.
Council will look at an authorization to create a Chambersburg Utilities Museum at the Franklin County Visitors Bureau.
Pat Ryan of NewsTalk 103.7FM pointed out, “The story of the Chambersburg utilities is a very important one, especially in the state of Pennsylvania.”
Allen Coffman, borough council president, said, “It’s a very historic thing. Let’s look at the electric utility for a minute. That goes back to 1893. We were on the very early, early edge of electrification of towns.”
The gas utility, a private enterprise, existed during the Civil War and was purchased by the borough in 1946 and turned into a public utility.
Coffman said, “So we’ve been in the gas and electric business for a long time. So there’s a lot there to talk about. There really is.”
Ryan noted, “And it’s unique to Pennsylvania. We’re one of only a handful of municipalities in the state that has its own gas and electric operation.”
Philadelphia is the other gas utility operation. It’s the only one that runs a gas utility.
Coffman added, “We’re one of 35 in the state of Pennsylvania. Nationwide, I think there’s only about 200 that run both gas and electric in the nation.”
So Chambersburg does have a lot to note in that history, which will be displayed at the Franklin County Visitor’s Bureau.
Tonight council will also consider approving a modification to the 2023 street improvement list.
Coffman said, “It looks like we’re going to get more done than what we had on the list. I’ll wait until I hear the report.”
Council will also discuss a grant agreement with the Franklin County Commissioners with ARPA funds.
Coffman explained, “They’re awarding us $240,000. We requested $2 million. They gave us $240,000.”
The money will go toward the Southgate project.
A public hearing to consider rezoning the old Moose Club property. A gentleman from Virginia is looking to put in an RV, four-wheeler and motorcycle dealership.
Coffman said, “Part of it is zoned residential and the other is distributed commercial highway. To do what he wants to do it all has to be distributed commercial highway. I think there will be a discussion, but I don’t think there will be any real opposition to it.”
For tonight’s agenda, click here: http://www.borough.chambersburg.pa.us/pdf/Public%20Edition%2002-13-2023%20Regular%20Public%20Agenda.pdf
