Putnam patriot., 1928-03-08
VOTE IMPROVEMENTS
FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT


be fixed up for the captain, and hall
way built from the station to the court
room, were the improvements suggest
ed. One steel cell used for ladies
could be disposed OF and the state po-
lice had made an offer OF $40 for the
cell. The matter was referred to the
city property committee 20 get bids
and to sell the cell If they see fit.
Alderman Ames for the fire COM
mittee stated that bids had been Sc
cured for rear tires ON Motor Truck
No. !. A local concern was the lowest
bidder at $205. The committee also
recommended that the truck be equip
ped with booster" tank. This tank
costs $500 and costs about $50 TO in
stall. New brakes have been ordered
for the truck and the committee recon-
mend that all Of the work be done at
once.
Chief Thurston explained that the
booster tank is to supplant the chem
ical tank. He stated that water will
be used instead Of chemicals, which
cause considerable damage. II was
voted to authorize the cmomittee to
make the purchases.
II was also voted to purchase port
able search light, SIS, and two foam
type fire extinguishers to cost S25, and
a new nozzle.
Fire Headquarters
Alderman Dean brought up the mat
ter of fixing over IRE headquarters,
and Foreman Dumas Of Hose Company
No. said that the house house need
ed repairs following the recent fire
there.
Chief Thurston then repeated his
monologue as to the admitted needs of
the department, stating that the de-
partment had been sadly neglected for
the past eight years. He called atten-
tion to the fact that nothing had been
done 10 establish building code and
said that the fire at No. 2 hose house
disclosed that laths had been nailed to
a chimney. The city itself, he criti-
cized, had thereby violated all safety
codes.
The chief again went over the de-
lapidated condition at fire headquar-
tiers, the need of new equipment. and
called attention to the need of new
fire alarm boxes. While he has pre-
viously stated that No. l truck, since
ii was overhauled, is in good condi-
ton, this piece Of apparatus is ten
years old and would be considered but
secondary by any city fire department,
he said. He again stressed the dan
gerous and unsanitary condition at fire
headquarters.
Ii was voted to get bids on repaint-
ing and repairing fire headquarters,
and the city property committee was
instructed TO repair No. hose house
Te Revise Ordinances
The matter of revision of city or
dinances was brought up and discuss
ed. The ordinance committee was ask
ed TO report at the next meeting.
A communication was read from the
State Water Commission asking that a
survey be made relative to sewage in
the river with the object later removal
and use of filter beds.
Alderman Dean called on Charles
T. Thayer, superintendent of the fire
alarm system, to state the condition Of
the system under his charge.
Mr.. Thayer told the council that
three new alarm boxes were needed at
once to replace Boxes IL, az, and 81.
He said that he had had charge Of the
system for ten years, and in that time
no box has ever been replaced although
some new ones have been installed. He
said that some of the boxes are thirty
years old and that he would not con-
slider himself responsible if they do
not work properly. He emphasized
that the alarm system is most import
ant as without a proper signal the
firemen do not know where the fire is
and lose valuable time.
Alderman Dean made a motion that
three boxes be purchased. There was
discussion and Alderman Ames made
an amendment for two boxes. The
amendment was not seconded and the
first motion carried.
New boxes cost $3.50 each. The city
will be allowed SIS each on four old
boxes now on hand.
Inadequate insurance on fire sta
lions was brought up and the subject
referred to the city property commit
tee.
II was voted to call a special meet
ing Of the council at 7.f5 o'clock, Tues
day evening, April 3. preceding the
regular meeting, for the purpose of
electing an alderman TO fill the vacan-
-, cauaad nv the resignation of Alder