New Britain herald., 1917-06-09
Chairman $4oo, Clerk $500, Is
 Recommendation Adopted

fixed 1t would be better to elect one temporarily. MT. Magnell was nom- mated and appointed as temporary clerk and chairman for the evening and served in . double capacity bring ing up the routine business before the board and taking down the minutes.
 Perhaps of greater interest than any other item brought up was discuss sion of the city's fire alarm telegraph system. A great deal of fault has been found lately because of the fail- ures of the system to register proper signals. MT. Moran thought that the different boxes should be tested every day and that it was a good thing to ind out before fire and not after whether the box was working To this end he suggested the advisabil- 1ity of b6ying some apparatus which when installed. would make 1t possible to test the boxes every day and in- stead of the fire bell ringing and scar ing the people to death, have it reg ister the report at headquarters. In connection with this Mir. Magnell men toned the fact that the alarm system Is not as good as 1t should be and because there are too many boxes on one circuit. if one box gets out of order the entire circuit is also put out of commission. He stated further that the city does not know what equipment 1t has in this system and has no idea where the wires are laid. Commissioner Camp voiced the opinion that map should be made showing every wire. laid in the city MT. Moran was asked by Mir. Camp why blue prints of the system had not been made. Search me- was the reply. On suggestion of Conl- missioner Camp it was voted that such 8 map be prepared and that the city electrician and city engineer CO., operate in making 1t. Inquiry brought ought the fact that about six months ago the old board. took steps to se- cure such 8 map and that it was left in the hands of the former chairman who failed s:toa provide the desired chart, according to statements made at last evenings meeting.
 Relative to changing or bettering the wiring system, Chairman Magnell thought that an expert electrician should be brought here to look over thought differently. He suggested that City Electrician Cooley be present before the board at the next meeting and allowed to voice his suggestions as to the proper solution of the prob- len Mir. Camp, had still another idea which was to have one of the expert electricians from one of the factories look over the proposition.
 Thinking thot the chairmanship was more important than the clerkship and that the former position bears the brunt of the responsibility. Com- missioner Camp made the suggestion that the salary of the chairman be fixed at $4O0 and the clerk be paid $500 annually. It was voted to have Chairman Magnell appear before the common council at the next meeting to discuss tn question of salaries. MT. Magnell did not deem 1t wise to ap- pear alone as his salary is to be con- sidered and asked that another ment- i ber of the board be assigned to appear ] with him. An amendment was taken :! and it was voted to have Commission !! CT Moran accompany him.
 {; Thinking that the chief of the fire department spent too much time in making theater inspections MT. Camp suggested that other men less valu- l able do the work. He thought men stationed in the vicinity in which the ! different theaters are located should l do the work and make the reports. l Commissioner Conlon expressed the l opinion that the double check system I should be used. MT. Camp vas told ! that the chief spent only enough 1 time at each theater to make 8 thor ough inspection. No definite action was taken. ;.
 It was voted to make arrangements to buy a gasoline tank. to hold not less than 100 gallons which will be used only by the flre department and the chairman was appointed to se- cure bids for 1s5 tons of coal.
 After the chairman had read the
 report of Dr. George M. Flanagan
 anent the sickness of Fireman Patrick
 Kenney, who was off duty from May | to 12, Commissioner Camp thought
 that one doctor should be appointed
 by the city to attend all cases of ill-
 ness among the firemen which neces- ksitates lay-off, and report as to their
 real condition: MT. Moran did not
 think this necessary and no motion
 was made.
 A letter from the Travellers insur-
 ance company was read stating that
 repairs in some of the boilers at the
 various fire stations are needed and
 this matter will be taken up at the in-
 spection Thursday. The chairman
 read a letter from the United Electric
 Light and Water company stating
 that it had been ordered to remove
 overhead wires on Elm street but
 that If this step was taken there
 would be no way of connecting En.
 zine Company No. with the electric I system. Steps to remedy this trouble
 will be taken by the city electrician
 In order to ascertain the heal con. ditions among the firemen and in or.
 der to inform the new comm issionerl of what is to be their duty and the things upon which they must at all