New Britain herald., 1928-02-01
Kest End Fire Station Blocked
 ky Chairman Of Finance Board

was not entirely familiar with the details but there was talk of an ar engagement whereby the city would pay part of the expense and the fire men the balance. If they want group insurance, let them pay for it." Chairman Hall said. That's out"
 Listed under special items, the fire commissioners asked $1O.000 for a new. 55 foot city service ladder truck and ladder and $17,SS5 for ten new men for the truck. Chairman Dehm said there is 8 crying need for this ladder truck and Chief Noble seconded his remarks. A few days ago. the aerial truck at the central station was out of order for five days. Chairman Dehm said, and if . call had come in for a fire north of the track at time when the rail- road crossings were blocked, thus preventing the city service ladder from No. ? station on Elm street from responding, serious results might have been caused. The com missioners would have the new lad der in No. 3 station.
 For remodelling No. station, &4500 is asked. The work was start ed but could not be completed be- planation of the request for an ap- propriation of $1733.75 for an addi- tional man for the electrical depart- ment, the commissioners stated in the pamphlet that the constant growth of the fire alarm system is such that two Ilen cannot keep pace with it.
 Chief Noble urged that two addi- tional men be allowed on each of the following machines: No. lad der, No. 3 and No. 4 trucks. The cost would be $10,402.50. New Bri- tain is the only city of it's size known to the chief, where apparatus is manned by only four men. The com- panies are under-manned, he said, 1 and he hoped the money for the in- creased strength would be provided.
 A recommendation for an appro- priation of s1200 for an automobile for the deputy chiefs and the master mechanic is again in the budget, and $S000 to provide new quarters for the electrical repair department and the master mechanic is asked, the intent being to remodel the old quar- ters between No. 2 fire station and the electrical department on Elm street.
 1 impossible for the fire department to return an unexpended balance at the end of the fiscal year. Last year it was possible 10 do so but the amount of work done this year was so great that the commissioners did we'll to keep within the budget, ! Chairman Dehm said
 Police Department Budget S226, ,455
 Chairman R. w. Chamberlain. Chief W. c. Hart, and Clerk J. A. McGrail represented the police de- partment, whose requested appro- priations total $226.455. The regular payroll is s174,279 and does not pro- vide for the appointment of new, ! men. The supernumerary payroll amounts to $200oO, which is $5,oo0 less than the amount allowed last year. Chairman Chamberlain ex- plained that $12,45o.13 has been ex- pended to date and it is estimated that $5,0oO will be expended before the beginning of the new fiscal year, and the board felt that s20,000 is more nearly accurate an estimate than $25,000.
 For automobile repairs, $1,o00 Is asked. The appropriation of $1,O0O has already been overdrawn.
 The bulk of repairs is made at the Municipal garage but when the mechanic was too busy and repairs were needed at once, the cars have been taken to an outside garage, Chairman Chamberlain said.
 In reply to question by Commis- sioner Stanley as to whether or not the police board has a replacement plan for the cars, Chairman Cham- berlain said it is difficult to operate such a plan because of the trouble encountered in putting through car purchases. Nothing has been more difficult than this. during his con- nection with the police department, he said. Chief Hart. in reply 10 Chairman Hall, said each of the pa- trol cars driven day and night has gone 19,000 miles since April.
 Chairman Chamberlain said he personally favored turning ill the cars after two years service.
 1 Incidental Fund Always Short
 Relative to s3,O0O for incidentals, an increase of $500 over the appro- priatiOn for this year, Clerk McGrail said there has never been an in- cidental fund sufficient to carry through the year, in his memory. Already, $3,O17.39i has been spent and it is estimated that $500 more will be needed for the balance of the year.
 For building repairs $1,00O is ask ed and Chairman Chamberlain said a great deal more could have been asked with justification because the police building is in poor condition.
 The court room and the patrol mems room are In need of atten- ton and the stairs a,e also in bad shape. The plumbing in the cell room could not be replaced for the amount named for building repairs, Chair man Chamberlain said and, if the health department officials saw the sanitary conditions in the cell room they would order renovation, he be- lieved.
 Relative to telephones, Chairman Chamberlain said he did not care to comment because his ideas along the line 0f pavipu fnr +alop1,o,,o. ;,,