Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-05-05
The Corporation Meeting.


several Changes Voted for the Improve
ment of the Fire Depnrtment---specia
Tax Levied of Ten Cents on Dollar of
the Grand List.
The special corporation meeting warned
for Thursday evening was called to order
at 1880 by Chairman Weston. Article No.
l read as follows: "To see il the corpora
ton will instruct the water commissioners
to lay a larger pipe extending from the
main pipe near Morgan's park, down
Rockingham street and through the Square,
to replace the siX-inch pipe now in posi-
ton, or to take any action in relation to II,
and provide means thereto" 1t was voted
to instruct the water commissioners to re-
place the six-inch pipe extending from the
main near Morgan's park by ten-inch
pipe and connect the same at a suitable
place at the south end of the Square with
the eght-inch pipe coming up School
street. This article was given thorough
discussion, in which the fact was espec-
tally emphasized that the lack of water on
the night of the fire in Towns Hotel
block was great drawback to the fire de-
partment. This lack was remedied later
in the evening by the starting of the two
big fire pumps under the hill. The state
ment was made that if it had not been for
these pumps, in all probability, the fire
would have swept through the entire row
of blocks on the north side of the Square.
The second article, in relation to in
structing the fire wardens to put and keep
the steam fire engine in proper shape for
use, was dismissed, as the engine has been
proved to be in good condition The
trouble with it on the night of the Towns
TTAt, 81 MI ,I hoe H. ILL
was on account of the lack of proper fuel
This lack was remedied the next day.
Article No. 3, in regard to repairing
the present landing for the FIRE engine on
the west side of the canal, and building
others if thought best, was left in the
hands of the fire wardens.
Article No. 4, in relation to selling the
present hook and ladder truck and the lad
ders thereon and purchasing a larger lad
der truck and ladders, was also left to the
fire wardens. The suggestion was made
that it would be well to purchase two long
extension ladders and place in position for
use if needed near the Square.
Article No. ,, to see if the corpora
ton will take any action to increase the
water rates, was dismissed, but under the
next article, to transact any other business
proper to be brought before the meeting,
it was voted unanimously to levy tax of
ten cents on dollar on the grand list for
the purpose of meeting expenses incurred
under article one.
Under the same article it was also voted
that the fire wardens be instructed not to
allow the steam fire engine to be used for
any other purpose than what the fire de-
partment itself demanded. j. c. Day
one of the fire wardens, asked for the sense
of the meeting in regard to authorizing
them to purchase 1000 feet of hose for the
fire department. This was taken, show
ing the corporation to be in favor of the
purchase of the additional amount of hose.
This meeting was especially interesting
as every article but one on the warning
was called forth by the recent disastrous
fires on the Square. The corporation is
doing its best to make the fire department
as efficient as possible, and when the pro-
posed changes are made our citizens will
be prepared for nearly any contingency.