Putnam patriot., 1926-05-07

and men. The ehfef said that nre truck could not have made such quick time as he did in his own car. He cit ed the instance to show that by the time the firemen arrive at d distant point it is usually too late to be of as sistanee.
 Danger to City
 The chief also cited the danger in leaving our own city unprotected. He sad that the men like to answer out of-town calls. They like to be present at such fires and see them burn. This leaves the city not only without sufii cient apparatus but also without fire men.
 Alderman Rogers asked what would be the situation if call came from Danielson or Webster. The chief said that this is a different matter Where town maintains a sufficient fire de partment a5 Its own and has large fire that l. getting beyond control and help is needed, 1t Is customary To show a reciprocal courtesy by responding t0 a call for help.
 Mayor Chapdeiaine took no part IT the discussion. but as II ueaeed the close he said: "I think NC ought tu keep our apparatus right here Ia town for our own protection. II was voted that the matter of furnishing the pro- lection asked for be laid on Che table.
 To Charge Batteries
 The matter of the purchase ol a generator for charging the batteries of the fire alarm system housed al fire headauarters, lett over from the pre- vious meeting. was brought up. The batteries were formerly charged from current furnished by the trolley com pany Since the trolley service was discontinued the batteries have been charged by one motor generator set owned by the city. lt has been eN- plaiHed that m the event of lightning or anything else putting the one bat- terry out of commission the batteries could not be charged and che city would bp without fire alarm service.
 Alderman Rogers asked T he work could not be done with a reeutler to better advantage than with gfuer= atar There was some discussion uH this point. which resulted n q preel= GUS motion. that a generator b. lH- stalled. being withdrawn and vote passed authorizing the fire committee Co investigate and decide upon the best method of taking care of the situa- tion and to act accordingly.
 Officers IL X L. and No.
 Another matter concerning the fire department was the ratification of the election of officers of the Hook X Lad der Company and Motor Company No. i. The officers elected are. Motor ompany-Foreman H. W. Sharpe: first assistant. Walter 4. Win aton; second assistant. Harry k. Morse; sec retary. Merle Fish; treasurer, W. A. Wheaton.
 Hook < Ladder-Foreman, Edward Kane: first assistant, Charles Ryan; second assistant. Elzear Guertin; sec retary. Elzear Guertin; treasurer, Charles Ryan.
 Police Report
 The police report for the month showed but seven arrests and two prisoners taken to jail. During April thirty-one tramps were lodged and fourteen store doors found open.
 No Report
 Alderman Rogers reported that En- gineer Palmer had been so busy with matters in Norwich that he had not made his investigation of the Putnam waterworks situation. and there was nothing to report.
 To Oil Streets
 The highway committee was em- powered Co contract for oil to sprinkle the city streets and to see that the same Is applied. The city voted S2,- 900 for this purpose at the special city meeting last week.
 Sewer Installation
 It was also voted to empower the highway committee to install the sew CT extensions of Gilman street and Woodstock avenue, for which appro- priations were made at the city meet ing. The work will be done by the city highway department.
 To Light Parking Place
 The lighting of the public parking space at the foot of Bundy street was brought up. When 1t was insinuated that the Putnam Chamber of Com meree was trying to get the city to light the parking space without cost to the Chamber, A S Macdonald. secre- tary of the Chamber, came Co his feet in defense of the allegation and stated that the Chamber of Commerce was not requesting anything for itself a. an organization, but was trying to help solve the parking problem that has confronted the city for a long time, not for the benefit of the Cham Der of Commerce. but for the benefit of the city. This was admitted to be so, and it was voted that the electric light committee be empowered to act in the matter.
 To Adjust Insurance
 Alderman-at-large Richard brought up the matter of insurance. He show ed two policies covering the pair of horses owned by the city, one in the amount of $500 and the other $500. One horse is about twenty years old, the other very near the same age. It was agreed that the pair were not worth anywhere near the amount of the indemnity, and it was voted Co cancel the $500 policy.
 It was brought to the attention of the council that but Sl 800 was carried on the fire headquarters building, $500 on the Smith Street fire station, and but $500 on the fire alarm switchboard and fixtures These matters were re- ferred to the city property committee