New Britain herald., 1927-02-03
GUT EXPECTED IN
 FIRE DEPT. BUDGET
Finance Board Passes Lightly ' Over Specials" Suggested

Items of nearly s100,000 in the estimates of the fire board were passed over lightly by the board Of finance and taxation last night, in dicating that the budget will very likely be 'pruned' in those respects.
 Included were the new ladder truck and men for service north of the railroad tracks, the cost of which would be S27,SS5, together with an equipment cost of S950: a fire sta ton in the western section of the city which would cost s55,o00; s10,o00 to remodel No. station.
 These estimates make up the major portion of special items" outside the expenses ordinarily con- sidered as fixed charges.
 A motor-driven siren to cost s950 is being asked because the First Baptist church will not permit use of the bell in its tower after April 1. The huge bell is causing damage to the building, it is explained. Grant of s4.200 to place 2l new fire alarm boxes is asked. Regular items of ex- penses, exclusive of special items" totals s2Sl, l,264S5, Chairman C. J. Dehm and Clerk T. J. Meskill ex- plained.
 Chief W. J. Noble told the finance commissioners the National Board Of Fire Underwriters has placed a 30- points deficiency rating on the de- partment in daytime and 47-point deficiency at night because com- panies have but four men. This is the only city over 50,000 not having at least five, he declared. To proper ly man three companies 10,402 50 is asked.
 Queries put and statements made during hearing on the fire depart ment budget indicated that cuts will be effected which will be equivalent to at least one mill in the tax rate.
 Chairman R. w. Chamberlain, Commissioner Michael J. Bannan and Clerk Joseph McGrail appeared with Chief of Police William C. Hart to explain the estimates Of the police department.
 Police Department Budget
 Chief interest in the budget was the request for Is additional pa trolmen. to cost $32,366.25. The pro- posed location of these men was cx- plained to be: Black Rock avenue, west of the bridge, Overlook district, Seymour park. below Kelsey street on Stanley street. South Main street below Brook street, two men to fill beats now patrolled by supernumcr- aries, one new motorcycle man, one for Arch street, one for a ianitor. five moro for the center of the city and traffic detail. Eight hour shifts on all central beats would be made possible through this appropriation.
 The board wishes funds with which to equip more supernumerary policemen so as to attract more young men to the police department. They now are required to purchase their own equipment. Aluminium white lincS' on the streets are wanted, and a second installment of 24 red flash signal lights on beats are sought. When the item of sani- tary repairs at headquarters came up, Chairman Chamberlain said a violation of the law is taking place every day in the police station be- cause of plumbing conditions. A service car, armored if possible. is asked at a cost of S3,O00, and new cars of better grade than now used are sought for sergeants An item of S1.300 each is included for these cars.
 Following the hearings, Chairman E. r. Hall made appointments with the chairmen for conferences to be held Saturday afternoon to go over the budgets.
 5000 for Memorial Plates
 On motion of George F. Spear the sum of sl,000 was appropriated to purchase bronze plaques for the Spanish American War memorial. The memorial committee pointed out such an appropriation is necessary to properly finish the work, and Chairman Hall declared against any reduction that might result in an in fcrior job. Francis C. Kelly remarked the sum sought is a very modest one and he favored it as did Joseph c. Stone and others. The vote to appro-