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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2038.3 Report of committee on a "steam-gong" for the schools and on the needs of the Fire Department, 1893Art 4. Your committee appointed in March 1892, to provide a steam-gong to be used in connection with the public schools and, in addition, to con- sider and report upon the needs of the Fire Department, beg to report as follows:- A chime steam-whistle has been purchased and placed upon the pumping station of the Lex. Water Co., at a total cost of $39.32, the ap- propriation therefor having been $50. This whistle will be blow by the Water Co., without expense to the Town, whenever it may be necessary to convey information to the teachers and pupils regarding school sessions. A code of signals has been arranged and is published in the report of the Supt. of Schools. Should it be found, upon more extended trial, that this whistle is not easily heard in all sections of the Town, a larger one will be substituted. Your committee have met several times to consider the needs of the Fire Dept., the officers of the fire companies being invited to meet, informally, with them. As a result, your committee are ready to indorse the request of the Fire Dept., should it be made for an appropriation suf- ficient to cover the purchase of the following articles which, it seems to your committee, are urgently needed, viz:- 18 buckets for the chemical engines. costing not over $35.00 One single swinging-harness for the hose wagon. " " 75. Two cut-off spray nozzles. " " 30. It is the sense of your committee that, with the above exceptions, and aside from certain repairs that, it is understood, will be made from the regular appropriation for fire purposes, the equipment of the Fire Dept. is as complete as is necessary and possible under its present or- ganization. It is evident that adequate general protection against fire in such a town as Lexigton can be given only by one or more steam fire- engines; but, as this is a question involving an entire re-organization of the fire service, as well as a considerable expenditure of money, your com- mittee do not feel competent to make recommendations further to call the attention of the Town to the grave necessity of providing adequate protection against loss by fire, for the public and private property of the Town. James P. Munroe Albert B Smith Wm. B. Foster Albert S. Parsons Art. 4 MINORITY REPORT ON COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE OF STEAM GONG AND INVESTIGATION OF NEEDS OF FIRE DEPARTENT. As a member of the above Committee I subscribe to all of the report with the exception of the concluding paragraph, to which I respectfully dissent, and would recommend the purchase of a steam fire-engine for the Town of Lexington, the sum for the purchase therefor to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen and Fire Engineers. G.W. Sampson 6 Records 339, vol.11 1893 Committee on Water Supply