Connecticut western news., 1909-05-06
INSURANCE RATES
 WILL BE LOWERED
UNDERWRITERS TO BE CONSULTED
Assurance That This Will Follow the Provision of Adequate Fire Protec- tion Will be Obtained Before Fire District Meetinq is Called.

ton Will be Obtained Before Fire ~ District Meeting is Called.
 At the meeting of the Board of Trade held Saturday the committee appointed to locate the proposed ten new hydrants reported their location as announced by THE NEWS last week. In the course ot the meeting it was decided that two additional hydrants should be installed on Bragg street It was further decided Trade should confer with member of the Board of Fire Insurance Under writers in order to obtain definite assurance that insurance rates will be reduced provided the fire protection afforded will meet the requirements of the Board of Underwriters. The North Canaan Water Company made a satis- factory proposition and it was expressed as the sense of the meeting that meet ing of the fire district should be called < as soon as convenient to act on the pro- position of the Water Company i'll regard to furnishing hydrants and water for fire protection. Officers of the Board of Trade were elected at the conclusion of the meeting.
 The meeting was called to order by Vice President George s. Fuller and the increasing interest which Is being taken ill this movement to secure adequate fire protection was evidenced by the large number present. The re- port of the committee appointed to locate the additional ten hydrants was first heard Before it's acceptance there was some discussion as to whether these hydrants would insure protection to all the property III the fire district James $. Graney, representing the property owners on Bragg street, stated that the latter were anxious to have fire protec- tion there. The present pipe line in that street is too small to give such protection even if hydrants were in- stalled. MT. Lyles stated in behalf of the water company that the latter would in all probability, be willing to install the necessary four-inch main in Bragg street. The Board of Trade then accepted the report of the hydrant committee, adding the two on Bragg street.
 MT. Lyles submitted the proposition which the water company is willing to make. It was that the company will install the 12 additional hydrants, the necessary extended and enlarged mains, and charge for the same and for the water furnished an annual rent of SIC for each hydrant, including the five already installed, and will keep them all in repair and ready for instant use, AS is evident, this would make total annual rental of $17O.
 It was the sense of the meeting that this was fair proposition. MT. Fuller asked MT. Reed what increase this would make on the annual tax levied or the property owners of the fire district provided the latter decided in favor o1 such protection. MT. Reed replied that . it would be something less than half g mill on the dollar. The present rae is two mills and fire protection could there fore be afforded at total rate of two and one-half mills or less. Considerable surprise was expressed by those present that the cost would be so reasonable.
 This led to the question of the antici pated reduction in insurance rates. MT Ives expressed it as his opinion that Ii the taxpayers III the fire district were assured that their insurance rates would be reduced as result of fire protection being afforded they would not hesitate z moment, but that if the improvements were first made and then an attemp made to bring the insurance companie to terms the latter would prove difficult
 In reply to this, attention was called to the fact that If the advice of th' Board of Fire Underwriters were frs obtained as to the requirements de manded, statement could no doubt b' obtained in black and white, to thu effect that if the specified measures ar' taken the rates will be reduced certain percentage. This was approved and George 5. Fuller, Henry B. Ives an( H. E.. Lyles were appointed a commltte' to meet and advise with a member O the Board of Underwriters.
 The motion was then passed that i was the sense of the Board to Trad that meeting of the North Canaal Fire District be called to act on the pro position of the water company ln regarC to furnishing hydrants and water fo fire protection. The latter meeting vii be called after the committee has con ferred with the Board of Fire Under