New Britain herald., 1927-12-14
F|REMEN REFUSED
 INCREASE IN PAY
Maple Hill Also Not to Get City
 Fire Service

Although I would like 10 see the pay of the New Britain fire depart ment on par with that of other cities in the state. don't believe that the men in local factories who are working on a part-time basis, should be asked to pay increases for flremen who are working at steady positions" declared Fire Commits siouer Timothy J. Shanahan In ex- pressing disapproval of the petition presented to the board at it's month ly meeting last night.
 The petition was signed by s6 members of the fire department and noon. It asked for 8 raise of 50 cents day for each member.
 Immediately after the petition was read. Chairman C. J. Dehm sad This l. the wrong time to come in for raise. It would be a bad pol icy to give raises under present con- ditions.'
 Paid Less Here
 When Chief w. J. Noble was asked how New Britain's salaries compar- ed with those of Waterbury and other cities. he said the New Brit ain fremen get much less. Their salary Is s3s.5o week. two per cent of which is taken out for the pension fund.
 II don't believe He should pass the buck 10 some other civic body fn irly chn h thing out right here" Chairman Dehm said.
 Commissioners John Mikalauskas and Michael r. King spoke also against raises at this time.
 They are asking men In local factories to pay for their raises. It's pull on the working man who has q little home and property. He has to dig deep for higher taxes" Commissioner Shanahan declared as he motoned that the petition be re- ferred back to the fremen with request that they wait until next year when the board will back them to the limit to grant salary requests,
 Emergency Service Only
 After considerable discussion it was voted 10 give residents of Maple Hill fire protection only in case of necessity.
 Commissioner Shanahan declared that 1t would be taking too big a risk If part of the New Britain de- partment were in Berlin and Maple Hill at the same time. He said that the department is not large enough to take care of the three places at once, and that the lives of the fire men would be risked if they were obliged to cross the railroad tracks on the road 10 Maple Hill as condi- tions are at present.
 According to Chairman Dehm, the signal at the crossing works slowly. Commissioner Mikalauskas was op posed to the move, and went on re- cord in that way. MT. Kings mo- ton that the service be given only in case of necessity. was adopted.
 Gold Service Stripes
 Commissioner King brought in q proposition to have a gold stripe for every five years of service in the de- partment and a gold star for 25 years. It was voted to have the clerk get samples of the goods so that the board might sec how the stripes would look.
 Thomas J. Meskill. clerk of the board, announced that s365.00 or TWO per cent of fremen's salaries has been added to the pension fund. This with a check for S400 from the town of Berlin made total of $T65.5o.
 Other Business Matters
 The application of Thomas Mozza. 3l, of 90 West street, was rejected on an unfavorable report from the boards examining physician. Olin F. Covey, 31, of 105 Smalley street, Andrew J. Rupee. P, of Fremont