Westville, NJ

ROBERT B. BERRY

Mayor R. B. Berry was sworn into office as Westville's second Mayor on January 1,1917. His administration lasted until December 31, 1922. Serving under his leadership were Councilmen Jesse Darlington, W.W. Bolger, H.C. Hopper,W.J.berz, and E.T. Addison. Mr. Bolger was replaced in 1918 by Mr. F.H. Dougherty and Mr. J.A. Finnie. Mr. Dougherty and Mr. Finnie were replaced in 1922 by Mr. G.W. Schweltzer and Mr. H.F. Quenzell. Mr. Darlington served as Council President during Mayor Berry's entire administration. The following people were employed by the Borough of Westville during this time period:

W.B. Atkinson - Clerk
W.H. Lawrence - Assessor
J.W. Pratt - Collector 1917-1919
Edward H. Davis - Collector 1919-1922
O.B. Hagenbnch - Recorder 1917-1918
Jas. H. Hendrickson - Recorder 1919-1922
F.A. Ellender - Marshal
J.C. Remington, Jr. - Engineer
J. Boyd Avis - Solicitor

In 1917 the Westville Free Public Library used the Boro Hall and asked for financial aid. Legal notices were placed in the "Woodbury Times". Sidewalks were installed along Popular Avenue and Silver Lake Avenue (now Delsea Drive). Abulkhead was installed at the end of Hunter Avenue. A new railroad bridge was installed over Timber Creek at a higher elevation, thus causing the line to be higher where the streets cross it. A petition was received to put in the curbs and sidewalks in the Gardner Tract. The Woodbury Turnpike Company permitted the Borough of Westville to use their "springling" cart to help keep the dust down. Curbs were constructed in the Newbold area. Westville residents in the military were exempted from paying a poll tax. A coal shortage occurred in 1917. In 1918 Thursday and Sunday evening were LIGHTLESS NIGHTS to help conserve energy and the Borough Marshal rode on horseback. A petition was received for safety gates at the railroad crossing at Olive Street. In 1919 NO SPITTING signs were placed in the Council Chambers. A Westville Welcome Home Committee was formed to welcome home the soldiers returning home from the World War. In 1920 the Soldiers Memorial Monument was erected in front of the "new" bank building at the corner of Broadway and Silver Lake Avenue. In 1920 a fire siren was purchased. In1921, the Mayor was instructed to have a Bell Telephone installed in his home and monthly bills sent to the Borough. A 4 party line was installed. The Soldiers Monument was dedicated on Decoration Day 1921 with "battery B' in attendance in 1921, pool halls were licensed for the first time, the Borough Council approved the "Hurly Plan" for the proposed Delaware River Bridge linking Camden and Philadelphia, Union Fire Company purchased "Prosperity Hall" a public garage owned by Mr. Halsey was established at the corner of Chestnut and Crown Point Road, and an ordinance was adopted for purchasing land along the Creek and Delaware River for us as a park, beach and playground. In 1922, permission was granted for a Motor-Bus line going through Westville, from Blackwood Terrace to Camden. The Borough Hall, which had been leased from J.R. Jackson, was purchased this year. The two fire houses were linked by wire for siren purposes. There was an Easter supper for the benefit of Union Fire at Prosperity Hall at cost 35 cents per ticket. The Soldiers Monument was moved 15 feet closer to the Bank. Daylight Savings Time was adopted by the Borough. The fire siren was blown at noon each day, except Sunday, starting in 1922. On August 19, 1922, Independence Fire Company dedicated its new building. An ordinance was passed to install 9.5 miles of sewers in the Borough (Westville was moving into the modern age.) Borough budgets during this period ranged of $9,480.00 in 1918 to $19,404.50 in 1922. A special election was held in 1922 to determine whether the voters wanted the town to buy the Westville and Newbold Water Company.