Connecticut western news., 1909-04-22
BOARD OF TRADE . WILL TAKE ACTION
TO PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION

iCiituiC GAoiHpiC oA GChON Dih
 Matter to an Issue in Local Fire
 District-Another Meeting Will be
 Held Coming Saturday.
 At preliminary meeting of the North Canaan Board of Trade held Saturday at the office of Judge A. T. 'Roraback it was decided that the opportune time has come for taking steps towards secur- ing adequate fire protection for the fire district. A meeting of the Board of Trade and of all citizens interested in this most important matter has been called for next Saturday night at the same place at which time a general ex- pression of opinion will be sought after the matter has been placed before those present.
 Two important points were brought out at the meeting held Saturday. One was that the water company Is prepar- ing to lay continu us line of six-inch mains through Main street, portion of which is now four-inch main, and the four inch main taken up will be placed from East Main street to the new school building. It is likely that other similar changes will also be made at this time and this would give the best possible opportunity for installing the additional hydrants necessary both on Main street and on the more important of the side streets. -.
 It was further brought out that the expense need be only moderate, as the water company will at this time be under only small extra expense ill in- stalling the additional hydrants and it is qnite possible that arrangements may be made with the company whereby it will shoulder the expense of installing the hydrants. ..s
 About fifteen persons were present at the meeting. Rev. E. c. Gillette was named as temporary chairman and E. O.. Lyles as temporary secretary. In open ing the discussion reference was made to the fact that the terrible Lenox fire has made clear to everybody who has con- sidered the matter that it is the helghth of imprudence for the people of North Canaan to any longer allow the same conditions that made the fire there pos sible to exist here without an attempt being made to rouse the citizens of the fire district to realization of the con- Etant danger to life and property.
 Rev. MT. Gillette took the opportunity to say that the people of the village do not relize the terrible fire risks which exist here and that there are several public buildings which are more danger ous fire traps even than the Clifford building in Lenox. The doors of certain churches open inward, as do those of a number of public buildings. Such con. ditions render more imperative the pro- vision, at once of adequate fire-fghting apparatus.
 Attention was also called to the fact that there is special danger from fire and fire that would do very extensive damage in the business portion of the village. Here the buildings range from
  used in some instances for sleeping rooms The buildingsIare furthermore all of woot construction and no fire escapes are provided on the outside. Not only are the hydrants insufficient in number il that portion of the village, but the sup ply of hose would not be sufficient t. throw any considerable amount o1 water on the flames.
 Junius Rhoades was present and he said that now is certainly the opportunt time for the people of North Canaan to take up this matter and carry it to ar issue. He said that the water company has been planning extensive changes in the pipe lines of the village for some time and that they have been holding of only in the interests of the fire district which it was the general sentiment should take the opportunity to have the necessary hydrants installed while con ditions are favorable. Mr. Rhoades saic that in his opinion there should be a least dozen additional hydrants in tine uT6 ulSITlC6. lu6T6 De more II the center of the village where the large public buildings are located, one or two on Railroad street, and at least one il the vicinity of the new school building
 It was the sense of the meetin aftel estimating the cost that the expense O the undertaking would be very slight almost inappreciable in comparison tt the safeguard to life and propert, which would be the result. It was alsC brought out that the project should ap peal to all property owners simply iron a business standpoint, as it would great 1y decrease the insurance rates on loca property. This statement was made ol
 Continued on page 5.