The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-06-08
A FIRE COM MISSION.
What the Ordinance Before the City
Fathers Provides.


The ordinance creating commission
to have control of the fire department
has been printed in accordance with
the vote of the city government at its
last meeting. Tho ordinance was report
ed by G. J. Mcdonald. John B. Kehoe,
John F. A. Merrill, and H. r. Virgin,
tho joint special committee appointed for
the purpose. 1t was presented in the
board Of aldermen last Monday evening
and tabled until the next meeting, 1t ia
a long document, defining the duties of
the commission. 1T provides for the ap-
pointment by the Mayor of three citizens
to serve as fire commissioners, not more
than two to be of the same political par
ty. They are to he appointed for terms
of three years, one retiring each year
They shall choose chairman each year.
Members of the board may he removed by
the Mayor with the approval of the alder
men for causes deemed to be sufficient
The commissioners shall give bonds in
amount and with sureties satisfactory to
the Mayor and aldermen and their COM
pensation shall be fixed by the City Coun-
Gil. The commissioners are to have gen.
eral charge of the property of the depart
mont, but they cannot make any contract
in excess of $500 without first obtaining
the consent of the City Cour"il except
ing in cases of emergency. Neither can
they incur Indebtedness in excess of the
appropriations. They may make regu-
lations not repugnant to the state stat
utes and city ordinances for the govern
ment of the department. and shall make
reports of their doings at stated intervals.
Sections 10 and II of the ordinance give
the board authority to name the members
of the department.. These sections are as
follows:
Section 1O.-The chief engineer, assis-
tant engineers, engine men, and other
officers and members of the fire DEPART
ment, as at present constituted shall
continue to hold such positions for the
remainder of the term for which they
were elected, or appointed, unless sooner
removed by the commissioners for such
cause as they shall deem sufficient. The
board of commissioners (by majority
vote) may remove any officer or member
of the fire department for such cause as
they shall deem sufficient, and shall as
sign their order for removal, which order,
with the reasons assigned, shall be spread
in full upon the records Of the board, and
shall have no effect unless so spread up
on the records, and thereon signed by at
least two commissioners. Before voting
upon the order for removal the delin-
quent shall be furnished with copy Of
the charges against him, be notified of
tho time and place Of hearing thereon.
and be allowed q hearing in person or by
attorney.
Section II. At the expiration of the
term for which any of the officers or
members of the department mentioned in
the preceding section may have been
elected or appointed, the board shall forth
with appoint their successors, or In case
ofEa vacancy therein, The board shall
forthwith I'LL the vacancy by appoint
mont, which appointments shall con-
tinue in force until removal for such
cause as is set out in manner and form
as above provided for. The board shall
also appoint any additional officers or
members of the fro department. that may
be from time to time authorized by vote
OF the city council in accordance with
the ordinances provided in such cases.
The chief engineer shall DO the board IS
executive officer. He shall have full con-
troll ~ fires and in his absence such con-
troll shall be given to the ranking assist
ant engineers present. He shall have
full power to suspend from duty any
company, subordinate officer, or member
of the department., who shall be guilty of
dlsorderly conduct, disobedience of the
orders OF the chief or assistant engineers,
or captain OF the company, OF, shall will
fully neglect or refuse to do the duty i'm
posed upon the by them city ordinances or
the rules and regulations of the fire de-
partment. And whenever company.