Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-02


a central Ere station. The matter of
location was left~with the city Coun-
ell. 1t WAS the sense of the meet
ing that the erection of the station
should be financed in some other way
than bond issue. if possible, and
that il necessary TO issue bonds the
issue should not exceed SIS. 600 The
meeting was entirely devoid of en-
thusiasm and il was only after Alder
man Carl had made a plea for a full
discussion of the first question that
any speeches were made.
About 200 Present.
The meeting was called to order at
s r. NJ, by Mayor Moves. Alderman
Bassett WAS chosen chairman of the
meeting and Alderman CARL, secre-
tary. About 200 people were present
when Alderman Bassett, as presiding
officer, read the order passed by the
Citv Council for the town meeting.
The first article in the order for
the meeting was the question. Shall
the city erect and equip central
fire station. and, if so, where shall
the same be located ?" On motion Of
City Clerk Newbert. the first question
was divided and the matter of erect
ing and equipping a central fire sta
ton was first taken up.
Alderman Holmes moved that the
city erect and equip central fire
station. Mayor Noyes asked for a
general discussion of the question. He
said that he wasn't looking for any
opposition, but if there was he would
like to hear it.
1t was voted to decide the question
by written ballot. Alderman CARL
at this point. jumped upon his feet
with a red-hot plea for discussion. He
wanted this town meeting to be real
town meeting in which people express
ed what they thought and half a
dozen people were calling To the mod
orator at the same time He asked
Chief Buckley and the special com
mittee to explain the need Of the
central fire station.
Need of Station Explained.
Chief Buckley began by quoting the
1907 report of the National Board Of
Ere Underwriters in regard to condi-
tiens in this city. as proof of Au-
gusta's need of new fire station. He
SAID that no one could remember how
long ago the station on Bridge street
was built. The old station was grad
ualiy settling back over the dump.
an inch or two at a time. He point
ed out the danger to City hall by fire
in having the switch board of the
fire alarm system in that place and
said that the plan for the new build
ing provided fer the housing of the
FIRE alarm system.
He explained that n central fire
station did not mean that all the
apparatus shoul be housed in one
building. "A new station should be
built, next year. on the east side of
the river and there should also be
new one at Cushnoe Heights.
Patrick II. Fitzgerald asked what
the present financial condition of the
city was and whether it could af-
ford to bIildNa new fire station at this
time.
City Treasurer Niles L. Perkins ex-
planned that on account of the city s
increase il, valuation the present
year. it's borrowing capacity was now
$44 600. in addition To the s33,OoO bond
issue voted at the recent school meet
ing. The city could borrow the mon
ey to build this fire station or 1t
might organize a company to take
over the construction of the fire sta
ton. AT any rate, the cost of the fire
station would not come out of the di-
rect appropriation for this year.
Other Cities Have Better Stations.
Alderman Holmes said that the com
mittae ON fire station had visited
number of cities and larger towns in
the state and found that all of them
had better fire stations and were better
equipped than Augusta.
Samuel. Titcomb asked what bond
Issue would he required and the chair
man explained that for the lot, oulldlhS
and equipment an amount, not exceed
ing SIS. 900 would be required.
Mayor Moves stated that last year
specifications We're made for repairs on
the OLD building. Only one contractor
submitted plans and $500 was asked
simply for putting a few piers in the
rear of the building as supports. 1t
would take between $4,000 and $1,000 TO
make the old building temporarily Sc
cure. He did not consider it worth re-
pairing.
New Station Voted.
The ballot was taken Immediately
after the mayors remarks and result
ed in the carrying of the first proposi-
ton, the erection and equipment of
new fire station by a vote of III to At.
City Treasurer Perkins moved to re-
fer the matter of location of the sta
tion to the city council. Mayor Noyes
objected urging that committee OF
five citizens be appointed to select the
location. Mr. Perkins then withdrew
his motion.
DR.. G. II. Campbell spoke in favor
of having the city council handle the
selection of a location. Judge b f.
Maher was of the same opinion. Chief
Buckley thought the selection should
be up TO the mayor and council COM
mittee on fire station.
Location Left With Council.
1T was voted by a strong show of
hands to refer the matter of location
to the city council.
Tie third question was then taken
up: "Shali the funds necessary for the
purchase of the lot and for the cree
ton and equipment of a central fire
station he raised hy an iGSua of bonds