Putnam patriot., 1925-10-16
POMFRET REFUSES TO
 BUY FIRE APPARATUS
VOTE IA NO, TO 46 YES-BALLOT AND CHECK LIST
 USED AFTER SPIRITED DEBATE IS CONCLUDED
Back Road Dweers See No Personal to Themselves
 Oppose Progressive Step

When Jim" Sharpe had had his say, in fact several says, and the town house at Pomffet echoed with ap- plause and hand clapping as Mir. Sharpe championed the cause of the back country dwellers, it satisfied the neutral onlooker at the special town meeting, Thursday afternoon. that the town of Pomfret was not going to have a piece of fire apparatus in the garage of Allan Averill, or anywhere else, for the present.
 The town house was crowded to the doors. The north side was occupied by women. The grounds round about were filled with automobiles. the high priced car of the well to do and the second hand flivver of the less pros- porous. All were drawn together with one purpose, to see if the town would spend money to buy a piece of fire apparatus.
 Result Evident
 Glancing about the room it was evi. dent that the back road dwellers had been canvassed and combed and were there to see that no money, with its entailed greater tax burden, was spent for fire truck. It was a hundred to one shot before the vote was taken that the proposition to give the town more adequate protection, or rather, some protection, from fire was to be voted down. When the votes were counted it was nearly two and half to one, the total vote being, No, IA, Yes, 46.
 The same matter came up at the regular town meeting and the vote was then tie Pomfret will continue without fire protection and the citizens will continue to stand by and watch buildings burn with no means of fight ing the fire except by bucket brigade and such help as Putnam will afford.
 The back crossroads citizens seem ed to feel that the truck couldn't get to them, and if t did arrive it would be too late to be of any use. On this ground. and on the ground of increas- ed expense that would be entaiied in the purchase of the apparatus, they based their argument against the pro gressive step that the minority favor ed.
 Atmosphere Of Expectancy
 When the moderator read that sec ton in the call ''To see what action the town will take to secure fire ap- paratus for the town and make an appropriation therefor" there was an atmosphere of expectancy apparent and 1t was also apparent that the ques- ton was to be discussed. debated and seriously voted upon.
 No sooner had the last word been spoken by the moderator than from the hack of the hall came a motion that when the question reached the voting stage that the vote be by ballot and the check list be used. It was so voted
 Secure, Pledges
 Charles B. Cushman was the hrst one recognized by the moderator. as he arose we'll in front of the hall Mr. Cushman told of the missionary work he had been doing among some of the citizens and stated that he mad secured pledges of Sl,0o0 towards the expense or the apparatus should the town vote to procure It, lnclnd- ing a substantial pledge from MT Oimsted of Pomfret School. MT. CusA- man said that he had no doubt that he could increase this list of conui, buttons to $500. He also stated that he had secured offers of several parages where the apparatus eoule be kept. Among those offering q garage was Allan Averih, Mr. 1esn- man said. and he quesuoHed II u would cost over sl0 to Slb a month to take care of that feature In an