The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-12-15
BOROUGH OF WEST HAVEN
HELD ITS INN UAL B USINESS MEET ING IN TOWN HALL LAST NIGHT.

Matter of Placing the Fire Department in
 the Hands of Board of Warden and Bur
 gesses Discussed-Tax of Five Mills Laid
 other Business.
 The annual business meeting of the borough of West Haven was held in the town hall last night There was a large attendance of residents of the borough and several items of business were quickly dispatched. In all matters ex- cept the appropriation for the fire de- partment there was little or no discus sion, but this question seems to be a particularly ticklish one and the resi- dents are about evenly divided as to whether or not a change is needed in the matter of finances.
 Last night when the matter was first acted upon it was decided to appropri- ate $65O. the same as last year; $150 to be given to each of the cour companies Shortly after this decision MT. Mackrille came in and stated that he was unable. to be present when the meeting began, but was very desirous of giving his views regarding the fire department The meeting allowed him five minutes indulgence, He said, in part: Those who are cognizant with the account of the expenses of our fire department and fire alarm know that last year 8, 1,126.S5 was paid out, and that the expenses consist of $150 to each of the four com- panies, $275 for new hose and the rest for incidentals. I believe that $1,000 ex- pended by the proper authorities would be adequate for our department and the citizens of this borough would have different results than they have had up to the present time.
 No one appreciates the services of our volunteer fire department any more than I, and I think they are always guided by the best interests of the bor- ough, but I do think that we have out grown the system adopted in 1892. Our department has increased 50 per cent. since then and it seems to me that we need a better department as a whole in order that better results may be ob- tained. The best way to do this is to place the business of running the de- pertinent in the hands of the warden and burgesses. To do this would be for the betterment and advancement of the
 
 We shouldn't sacrifice any of the four companies. I blame no one or make no insinuations as to expenditures I ask you to vote to reconsider the matter of the fire department appropriation"
 MT. Mackrille then read this resolu- tion, on which no action was taken: 'In lieu of separate appropriations this meeting hereby appropriates $1,00O for n1 as the board of warden and burgesses may from time to time direct and au- thorize'
 Robert M. French, being one who voted in the affirmative for the appro- priation of $65o moved to reconsider and it was seconded. John H. Hayes spoke against reconsidering. He seem- ed to think the present condition of the fire department as being sufficient for the needs of the borough. In support of his motion to reconsider MT. French said that for the past two years he had supported the matter of bettering the fire department, but that the citi- zens didn't seem to think that such move was necessary.
 "T41e services" he said, "would be more business like. am a member of one of the companies, and I am per fectly willing that the members of the board should see every item. I believe we would be as much appreciated then as now. There would be more rivalry among the companies and better work would be done We have made a great Improvement already, but we would then have department of which we would be proud. Two viva voce votes were taken on the motion to reconsider, but the chair was unable to decide, and vote by raising the hands was taken. The motion was lost by vote of 32 to 31.
 It was decided to lay a tax of 1 mills, the same as last year. The for mer custom was to allow one year for l the collection of taxes after they be- | came due and payable, but it was last | night decided to extend the time to a year and half.
 The matter of lighting was left to | the board of warden and burgesses. It l was also voted to fix the compensation l of the tax collector at $25O, the same as last year.
 The annual reports of the warden, l clerk, treasurer, auditors and chief of | the fire department as published in l pamphlet form were adopted. MT. Frank Wilcox was desirous of be- l ing informed as to whether or not there | was anyway that those people who do | business in the borough only about four | months in the year could be taxed ! He said: "Those people come here and | take our peoples money, while our | merchants who pay taxes loose that | business. By the time the tax collector | gets after these transient merchants | they have vanished" He was inform ed that 8 license was the proper thing for these people and that the board of warden and burgesses was the proper body to discuss the same.
 An adjournment was taken.