Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-04-28
Special Corporation Meeting

N ext Thursday Evening 10 Remind the
I Fire WRrdens of Neglected DutIes---
Some of the Changes which Are De-
sir0bIe.
A special corporation meeting has been
warned for next Thursday evening at 7.30,
petition therefor having been generally
signed. 1t has the appearance of move
ment to remind the fire wardens of certain
neglected duties, as a number of articles
are to see if the village will vote to instruct
them to do certain things which are plain
ly their duty, and should have been seen
to without such vote.
When the Towns Hotel fire occurred it
was found that for the first time since we
had the steamer, eight years, it would not
do good service, not holding steam at over
90 pounds pressure. Either it was fault of
the fuel or some slight trouble easily rem
edied, and now after three weeks nothing
has been done toward putting it in order,
and it might be needed any hour 1t was
stated after the fire that the engine was not
at the fire until an hour had elapsed. This
gives wrong impression. 1t was in its
place near the sulphide mill within two
minutes after the second alarm sounded,
until which it had no right to move.
An article regarding repairs to the land
ing in the rear of Union block, so the
steamer could be used there, instead of as
far away as was necessary to put it, is oc-
casioned by the knowledge which the fire
wardens had last fall that the landing had
been undermined and was unsafe, and yet
no action was taken toward repairs, and it
is not now so it can be used. The cost of
repairs, making it as good as before is not
large, although it may be a question if
some more permanent method of support
ing it should not be used than heretofore.
1t is questionable if this landing is in
the right place for the most availability.
In case of Union block or Browns block
burning 1t would be unsafe TO place the
steamer there on account of the heat. 1t
lssunderstood an arrangement can now be
made with the Canal company to put
permanent landing Just north of the
Brown tenement block, south of the high
way bridge to the depot, having a road
leading down on to it and up again so as to
avoid backing it either way. This would
be much safer.
The movement to sell the present hook
and ladder truck is an unwise one. 1t is
just what the department need for all pur-
poses except some of the higher buildings
in the square. For these, two aerial lad
ders, without trucks, could be bought for
less money, and of sufficient length for any
building in the village then kept in a CON
venient place in the square, would be
great addition with little cost.
The corporation has only about 1000 feet
of reliable hose. 1t needs 1000 more. At
Towns hotel fire so much hose was
brought into use that much that was unre-
liable was tried, and the result was six
lengths burst at critical times, hampering
the department. Such things ought not
to be allowed. The cost is small beside
the loss which may occur from the neglect.
The article regarding enlarging the
main water pipe on Rockingham street
from its present size of six-inch. SO as to
furnish more power in an emergency in
the square calling for many streams, is
well grounded and should have careful
consideration.
The question of increasing the water
rates is chestnut, and has been voted
down many times in past years, although
it should prevail, as the present rates are
absurdly low The village should receive
more income from its investment.