Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-12-05

approved, november ~, 1891.
No. 3G.-An Act in addition to an act ap5srov ed
November IL, 1854, relating to fire districts
IL is hereby enacted, &c.
SEC. /. Every fire district in this State NAV,
by It's prudential committee, purcha.e and hold
IN addition To the apparatus for distinguishing
hres, such real and personal estate. not exceed
ing in value ten thousand dollars, as may be nee
essary Tor the protection and preservation of the
engine, hose, and other fire apparatus in such
district
SEC. 2. Every such district may elect at its
annual meeting a chief engineer and such assis-
taui enelneers'as may be necessary, who shall
hold their offices for one year. and until others
are elected; and who shall rank in the order in
which they shall be elected
SEc. 3. In every district in which such chief
engineer and assistants are elected, and exercise
their oilicethe powers now vested by law in fire
~ardens shall cease.
SEC. 4. The chief engineer, and in bis ab-
sence, the assistant highest in rank present. shall
have on the occasion of any fire in such district
the entire charge aud control OF all engines, hose.
hooks, ladders and other apparatus, and of all
companies and persons attending such fire, tor
the purpose of exnguishng such fire and pre-
venting It's spread, and such engineer in charge
shall nave all the powers conferred on FIRE war
dens, by section twelve of chapter sixteen Of the
compiled statutes.
SEC 5. The engineers aforesaid, when on
duty, shall wear conspicuously on their persons
badge Of Office with their respective rank in
scrbcd thereon.
SEc. G. Every such fire district shall have
power, at any meeting thereof duly called, 10
regulate by bye-laws the manufacture and safe
Keeping of ashes, gunpowder and all combusti-
bles, and the preservation of buildings from fires
by precautionary measures and the Inspection of
buildings, and the chief engineer shall have pow
er to carry such regulations and bye-laws into
elect, and shall also have the right of directing
the making OF alterations in the position and re-
pair oil stove-pipes, furnaces, ffe-paces and 9TH
Ell things fiom which damage from fire may be
apprehended and in case the possessor or own.
er Of any thing, the change Of position or the
repair OF which shall he so directed shall neglect
to comply with the direction Of such engineer
immediately, such engineer may cause such di-
rccton to be complied with at the expense OF
such possessor or owner, and such expense shall
be recovered by an action on the case in the
name Of such district with full costs.
SIC. 4. Any vacancy in any of the offices in
such fire district may te filled by the district at
special meeting called for that purpose
''-' I" IL az. petSoH siihil Icluse W v5cy
the orders or directions Of any of such engineers,
In any manner'authorizcd by law, or shall in like
manner disobcy any bye-Iaw of such district,
such nfender shall f'r e4ilvjctico ,hera1e t'Ass'
forfeit and pay fine TO such district of not less
than five dollars and not more than ten dollars
provided, such offender be prosecuted therefor
in an acton of debt, brought in the name of such
district within ninety days from the time OF COM
miiting such offence.
SEc. Q. The chief engineer and in his alb
sence the assistants in the order of their rank
shall, under the supervision OF the prudential
committee, have charge OF all the apparatus in
such district, for the prevention and .xiluguish-
menl of fires, and shall cause the same to be COLI
stanily kept in serviceabe order.
SEC. 10 The members of any fire company
in any such district, to the number of forty. shall
not, in time of peace, be required TO do military
duty under the laws of this State.
SEC. 1. This act shall take effect from its
passage.
Approved, November 10. 1857.