Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-03
Decision Against Town Of Westerly
Jury Awards Courand F. Chapman $500 Damages Further Action Probable in Fire System Matter-Elks Plan Annual Lodge of Sorrow-Decision Reserved in Coy Case.

There is likely to be further recon sideration of the matter of fire alarm system in the extended section of the Westerly fire district in contravention of the action taken at the annual meeting, when a vote authorizing a change and extension of the system was rescinded. It was argued in oppo- sition that the gradually improved tel ephone system was of such a nature that the installation of a new fire alarm system would soon become an anti quated system and that it was there fore advisable to go slow before ap- propriaGkg $1,730 for a fire alarm system, or rather, an improvement and extension of the present system.
 It was also argued that if this ex- pense had become necessary by reason of the enlargement of the district the taxpayers in the new section should meet the cost, as the present system was paid for by the taxpayers of the original district.
 Such talk as this had it's effect on the small number that attended the meeting very few of them being resi- dents of the section recently added to the fire district, it being generally un- derstood among them that inasmuch as they had not yet paid fire tax they were not entitled to vote in the an nual meeting In this they were mis- taken. as they will be assessed taxation to meet the expenses of the fire district for the current year. Therefore when objection was made to extension of the system there were but few who would be directly affected present to oppose the denial of proper and equal fire pro- lection to the annexed section.
 Although the meeting took advan- ta9e of the enlargement of the district and reduced the rate of taxation from 20 cents to IS cents on each $100 of taxable property, it was voted to make no appropriation for a fire alarm ex- tension. The committee, acting upon the supposition that there was to be hydrants to be placed in the new sec tion, which are of lessened value for fire protection without a fire alarm system, for the telephone plan, no mat ter how good the service, is of no value in case of fire as Westerly has a volunteer department and there are no paid men in the fire house at all times to respond to telephone call.
 When the question of extending the fire district was first considered Chief Cottrell, acting for the committee, in- terviewed every property owner in the new section and received their sigma ture to a petition favoring enlarge ment of the district, with the distinct understanding that they were to re- ceWe fire protection equal to any other section of the district.
 It Is understood that residents of the new section of the fire district will de- mand a special meeting. when effort will be made to rescind the vote now in force and provide for extension and improvement of the fire alarm system.
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 Westerly lodge of Elks has completed arrangements for the observance of Memorial Sunday in Bliven opera house. The memorial address will be by Attorney Daniel M Cronin of New London and the eulogy will be deliver ed by Judge Michael J. Murray of Boston. Orchestral music will be fur nished under the direction of Prof. Charles E. Bedford and vocal selections will be rendered by a duartette com posed of Messrs. McTurk, Coleman, St. Onge and Clancy, tenor solos by Mar tin H. Spellma11 and James McTurk. soprano solos by Mrs. Ralph Maxon- Briggs. Mrs. Della Silva Healey and Mrs. Margaret Palmiter-Forrest. and a bass solo by Thomas " Clancy. The exercises will be held in the afternoon and are open to the public.