1879-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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15 Ladder Company, for $35, who was instructed in writ- ing to obey the demands of the engineers and foremen of both companies. In about ten weeks after the ap- pointment, the engineers ordered the two companies to elect stewards, one for each company. and fixed the compensation at $50 for the Adams Engine, and $20 for the Hook and Ladder Company. Rather than in- sist upon carrying out the agreement which had been made in good faith, and in accordance with the vote of the town, we thought it Would be better to pay the steward we had appointed such an amount as would be satisfactory, and report to the town the reason the vote of March, 1877, had not, in this instance been complied with. At the April meeting the sum of $1,200 was granted to meet the expenses of the fire department, and it was also voted that the firemen who do duty for the year ending May i, 1879, be paid $8 and their poll tax ; also, that a sum sufficient shall remain in the treasury after the close of the financial year, to pay 87 firemen, stewards and engineers; the amount so re- tained amounts to $1,022,50, one steward having re- ceived six months' pay. At the May meeting it was stated there were outstanding demands against the department amounting to $755 ; this amount was grant- ed to pay this deficiency. The engineers have had bills presented to them which were contracted previous to the vote granting the sum to pay the deficiency, in- creasing the amount of deficiencies $85.64 more than was reported. After exhausting the deficiency grant, it was thought advisable, rather than let this amount 16 remain unpaid until brought before the town, and 'perhaps create some warm discussion, to pay it from the Contingent grant. The whole expenditure of the department the past year, including the amount retain- ed in the treasury, has been $2,686.36. The town voted, April 1877, that the names of the members of the several fire companies be submitted to the Selectmen for approval ; in 1877 the List of mem- bers was received and approved. The past year the names of the members of the Adams Engine and the Hook and Ladder Companies, were received and approved. On the 17th of August last, the names of the members of the Hancock Engine Company were received and and accepted. The names of the Bab- cock Extinguisher Co. have never been brought for- ward for approval. As desirable as the fire department may be, its use- fulness would be more effective if the young men who reside in the immediate vicinity of the engine -houses, would compose its members. It has been said that within a radius of one hundred rods of the Hancock engine -house there is a sufficient number of young men to form its company, and in Norris' block one- half the number are found. By reference to the list of members it will be seen that many of them live from a half mile to a mile from the Engine house. As the Village Ha]1 Building is so constructed, and the uses and connections of the rooms are such, we think it advisable in order to obviate or prevent any conflict of authority which may occur hereafter, be- tween the officers of the Fire Department and the