USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1888 > Part 17
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SECT. 20. No person shall wantonly or carelessly Setting fire set fire to any tree, bush, grass, leaves, brushwood, trees, etc. wantonly to rubbish, or other substance in any place in the city of Newton.
SECT. 21. Whoever shall violate any provision Penalty. of this ordinance shall forfeit a sum not exceeding twenty dollars.
ORDINANCE XXIV. Buildings.
SECTION 1. No person shall erect, alter. rebuild, or essentially change any building or any part thereof, for any purpose other than a dwelling-house, without first obtaining in writing a permit from the board Permit. of aldermen. The application for such permit shall specify the location and size of said building, the material of which it is to be constructed, and the use for which it is intended.
SECT. 2. No person shall use any building, or part thereof, for any purpose rendering said building or buildings adjacent thereto, hazardous, unsafe, or liable to be destroyed by fire, or dangerous to persons or property, without first obtaining a permit, as named in Section 1.
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Chimneys and brick flues.
SECT. 3. All chimneys hereafter erected shall be built of brick, stone, or other fire-proof, non- conducting material. All brick flues shall be smoothly plastered inside with mortar from top to bottom, and outside below the roofing. In no case shall chimneys rest upon any flooring without a footing of masonry or iron, supported by iron beams, having a secure bearing on iron at either end.
· Hearths of fireplaces or grates shall be laid upon brick or other trimmer arches, or upon bars of iron supporting a bed of brick-work.
No wood-work of any kind shall be placed at a less distance than one inch from the outside brick- work of any flue, and in no case shall a nail be driven into the masonry of any flue.
No wood-work shall be placed at a less distance than one inch from any tin or other metal flue or flues, pipe or pipes, used or intended to be used to convey heated air or steam in any building, unless such flues or pipes be cased with metal, leaving a free circulation of air all around the same.
Smoke-pipe.
No smoke-pipe shall pass through any stud or wooden partitions, whether plastered or not, with- out being guarded either by a double collar of metal, with at least four inches air-space and holes for ventilation, or by a soapstone ring not less than three inches in thickness and extending through the partition.
SECT. 4. Whoever violates any provision of the preceding sections of this ordinance shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.
ORDINANCE XXII.
Gunpowder and other Explosive Compounds.
SECTION 1. No person shall keep or deposit
Pub. Stats.,
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any gunpowder within the city unless it is well chap, 103, § 56. secured in tight casks or canisters.
No person to
No person shall keep or deposit more than fifty keep or de- pounds of gunpowder in any shop, store, or other posit gun- building which is within the distance of twenty-five powder un- rods from any other building or wharf ; no person less, etc. shall keep or deposit more than twenty-five pounds of Limit of gunpowder in any shop, store, or other building which amount. is within the distance of ten rods from any other building ; and no person shall keep or deposit more than one pound of gunpowder in any shop, store. or other building, which is within ten rods of any other building unless it is well secured in copper, tin, or brass canisters holding not exceeding five pounds each, and closely covered with copper, brass, or tin covers.
SECT. 2. Licenses may be granted by the Licenses. mayor and aldermen for the retailing of gunpowder. in form substantially as follows : to wit, -
Gunpowder License No.
LICENSE TO SELL GUNPOWDER IN THE CITY OF
NEWTON.
This certifies that of. Newton is (or are ) hereby licensed and authorized to sell gunpowder at retail, at on street, being place of business in said city, for one year from date hereof, at noon, provided shall duly conform to the laws and to the provisions of the ordinance printed hereon. And in case the said shall at any time during the term aforesaid infringe the laws, or any of the provisions of said ordinance, then this license shall be void.
Dated at Newton this day of , in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
No person shall sell any gunpowder within the Sales without city without such license. Every such license shall license pro. hibited. be in force one year from the date thereof. provided
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License may be rescinded.
that any such license may be rescinded by the mayor and aldermen, at their discretion.
Sign.
SECT. 3. Every person so licensed shall keep a sign over the outside of the principal entrance from the street of the building in which powder is kept, on which shall be printed in capitals the words, " Licensed to Keep and Sell Gunpowder."
City clerk to keep record of licenses, etc. Place not to be changed.
SECT. 4. The city clerk shall keep a record of all such licenses, and of the places designated therein ; which places shall not be changed. unless by consent of the mayor and aldermen in writing. Every per- son who receives a license shall sign his name to a copy of the rules prescribed in this ordinance, as evidence of his assent thereto.
Exceptions. Keeping in magazines.
SECT. 5. The provisions of this ordinance shall not apply or extend to the keeping or storing of metallic cartridges in fire-proof magazines, nor to cartridge manufacturers, so long as they shall keep their powder in canisters, as prescribed in Section 4. and in fire-proof magazines, located and built to the satisfaction of the mayor and aldermen, and so long as such manufacturers allow no more than one hundred pounds of gunpowder in any magazine, or five pounds of gunpowder not made into cartridges, to be in any one workshop at any one time.
Pub. Stats., chap. 102, §§ 59, etc.
SECT. 6. No person, except on military duty in the public service of the United States or of this . Commonwealth, shall keep, have, or possess, in any building, place, vehicle, ship, or other vessel within one rod of a dwelling-house, any explosive compound other than gunpowder, in quantity exceeding one- fiftlı of a pound.
SECT. 7. The mayor and aldermen may license
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any suitable person to keep, store, and sell such compound, in accordance with the foregoing pro- visions.
SECT. 8. Any member of the police or of the Fire Department may enter the building or prem- ises of any person so licensed, to make the exam- ination provided by law, at his discretion ; and on alarm of fire may cause such compound there deposited to be removed or destroyed, as the case may require.
SECT. 9. Whoever violates any provision of this ordinance shall be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty dollars.
ORDINANCE XXVIII.
Telegraph, Telephone, and Electric-Light Lines.
SECTION. 1. The Chief of the Fire Department, under the direction of the mayor and aldermen, shall have the supervision and charge of all tele graph, telephone, and electric lines. He shall forthwith report to the mayor any violations of this ordinance.
SECT. 2. No telegraph, telephone, nor electric line shall be erected nor maintained until the owner thereof shall file with the mayor and alder- men a written agreement accepting and promising to abide by and perform all the conditions and provisions of this ordinance, and all orders, rules, regulations, and amendments hereafter made in addition thereto.
SECT. 3. All writings and authority for the erection of telegraph, telephone, and electric lines shall be subject to the right of the mayor and
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aldermen to permit other lines to be placed upon the same posts; but this shall not prevent a reasonable compensation therefor.
SECT 4. On streets where curbstones are set, all posts shall be erected in the sidewalk, within and adjoining the curbstones ; and where there are no curbstones, the posts shall be so erected as not to interfere with the gutters. No post shall be erected within fifteen feet of any hydrant, nor so as to interfere with any water-pipe. shade-tree, driveway, or intersection of streets.
SECT. 5. All posts for telegraph, telephone. and electric lines shall be straight, properly trimmed and painted, shall not be less than twenty feet in height from the ground, shall be of iron, cedar, or chestnut, and, if of wood, not less than six inches in diameter at the smaller end, and ten inches in diameter at the ground. Such posts shall be properly set in the ground to the depth of at least five feet. Wherever any wire shall cross any street or way, it shall be at a height not less than twenty- five feet above such street or way, and be protected by guards, and, where practicable, cross at right angles.
SECT. 6. All wires for the transmission of electricity for lighting and motive-power shall at all times be so insulated as to resist abrasion and heat, and be impervious to water. When placed above the surface of the ground, such wires shall be suspended upon posts ; and, wherever in proximity to other wires, dead guard-wires must be placed so as to prevent any possibility of contact with foreign wires. This rule must apply to both arc and
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incandescent wires. When any such wire shall be broken, or its insulation become imperfect, the electric current shall forthwith be discontinued, and the wire not used until properly repaired and insulated.
SECT. 7. Wires for the transmission of elec- tricity for lighting and motive-power shall be secured to insulating fastenings of glass, hard rubber, or other approved insulating material. All tie-wires shall be insulating in the same manner as conduct- ing wires. All joints in wires shall be securely made, and where possible soldered, and wrapped with insulating material that will resist heat and abrasion, and be impervious to water. Continuous wires, without joints, shall be used as far as possible.
SECT. 8. Wires for the transmission of electri- city for lighting and motive-power, passing through the exterior walls of buildings, shall be firmly incased in substantial tubes of non-conducting material not liable to absorb moisture, and so placed as to prevent water from entering the build- ing along the wire. Outgoing and returning wires for arc-lights shall enter and leave buildings at points one foot at least from each other; those for incandescent lights shall so enter and leave build- ings at points at least three inches from each other. In running along outside walls, cornices, and the like, all such wires shall be rigidly fast- ened by non-conducting fastenings; and where carried over or attached to buildings, must be at least seven feet above the highest point of flat roofs, and one and a half feet above pitch roofs, and placed so as to avoid ladders of Fire Depart-
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ment. They should not be run over or attached to buildings, other than those desiring light and power. In the interior of buildings. all such wires shall be so placed as not to come in contact with iron pipes, posts, nor girders, nor in any way so as to form other circuits or ground connections. In passing through floors or partitions or walls, they shall be surrounded by an insulating tube of sub- stantial material, to protect them from injury by rats and mice. All inside wires must be so placed, as to be easily and thoroughly inspected. When- ever such wires enter a building, a cut-out of simple form and construction shall be provided, and prop- erly attached as near as possible to such entrance.
SECT. 9. The frame and exposed parts of all arc-lamps shall be insulated from the circuit. All such lamps shall be provided with a separate hand- switch, and also with an automatic switch which · will close the circuit whenever the carbons do not approach each other, or the resistance becomes excessive. Arc-lamps must be provided with some arrangement to prevent the lower carbon from falling out, in case the clamp does not hold them securely. For inside use, the globes must rest in a tight stand. that no particles of melted copper or heated carbon can escape. Converters on alter- nating circuits must be outside of buildings, and must be placed high enough from roof to prevent possible injury to firemen.
SECT. 10. For incandescent lamps, the conduct- ing wire leading to each building and branch circuit shall be provided with an automatic switch or cut- out, or its equivalent, capable of protecting the
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system from injury by an excessive current of electricity.
SECT. 11. All light and power circuits shall be entirely of metal. No gas, water, nor steam pipe, nor the earth, shall be used as a part of any such circuit.
SECT. 12. In case of fire, the Chief of the Fire Department shall have full power and authority to order and cause any electric wires to be cut or removed, and electric currents discontinued until the fire is extinguished.
SECT. 13. Except by vote of two-thirds of all members of the board of aldermen, no wire for the transmission of electricity for lighting or motive- power shall be attached to posts of the fire-alarm telegraph nor to the posts of any telegraph or telephone company upon which fire-alarm wires are . placed. Such wires, excepting when permitted by a like vote to remain, shall[forthwith be removed from such posts, whenever any wire of the fire-alarm telegraph is attached thereto.
SECT. 14. All dead wires where crossing public streets or ways shall be removed.
SECT. 15. Upon the completion of any circuit. and before it is used, a plat, showing the location of the wires and posts of such circuit, shall be filed with the Chief of the Fire Department; and any change of such posts or wires shall be reported to him within twenty-four hours.
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NEWTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT.
The Chief of Department shall have the sole and absolute command at fires and alarms of fires over all members of the Department and of all other persons present at fires, and of all apparatus and appurtenances belonging to the Department, and direct all measures he may deem proper for the extinguish- ment of fires. He shall devote his whole time to the perform- ance of the duties of his office. He shall visit the engine, hose. and truck stations daily, if possible ( Sundays excepted ), and report to the fire committee or board of aldermen such suggestions or recommendations as he may deem necessary. He may. from time to time, issue such orders for the government of the members as he may deem necessary, subject to the approval of the mayor and aldermen.
He shall have power to suspend any officer or member of the Department for insubordination, disorderly conduct, or neglect of duty, said suspension to continue, pending the action of the mayor and aldermen.
ASSISTANT CHIEF.
In the absence of the Chief of Department the Assistant Chief shall have the same authority, and exercise the same
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powers, as the Chief of Department. On arrival at fires he shall report to the officer in command, and when on duty wear his fire-hat.
He shall have, under the direction of the Chief of De- partment, general supervision and management of all the tele- graph apparatus belonging to the Department, and every thing pertaining to the same. He shall keep the same at all times in perfect working order, and repair all breaks in the most expe- ditious manner, reporting to the Chief of Department for all necessary supplies, and such improvements as he may think advisable. When additional help is necessary, he will make application to the Chief of Department ; and, when in the immediate vicinity of the Department houses, he may obtain the assistance of the regular members, by direction of the Chief of Department. He shall give necessary instructions to persons in the Department and to key-holders. He shall devote his whole time to the duties of the position.
ENGINEERS.
The engineers shall have full control of the engine, bunk. and meeting rooms and basements, and shall report to the Chief of Department at once the name of any member of the De- partment, or other person, guilty of any disorderly conduct, or violation of the rules and regulations ; also any damage which their apparatus, or any part of it, their houses or furniture, may have sustained. They shall keep an account of all supplies that come to the station, and promptly report when materials are required for use ; keep their engines at all times in condition for immediate service. Delays or accidents resulting from neglect will be sufficient cause for suspension or discharge. They shall instruct their stokers in the management of the engines. The use of all patent preparations for cleaning the metal is strictly prohibited. All material for polishing will be furnished from headquarters. Keep the safety valve set at
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eighty pounds, and run the engines according to the line of hose ; a hundred pounds will be carried only when working- through an extra long line, or two lines of, say, five hundred feet each. Water-pressure will never exceed a hundred pounds. except on special order from the Chief or Assistant Chief of Department.
The following whistle-signals will be made use of in this Department until further orders : -
One whistle, signals pipemen to look out for water. Two whistles, signal for burst hose. Three whistles, signal for coal.
Two short and one long whistle, signal, "Make up."
Engineers will be on duty at all times. No member shall shut off the water, or in any manner move the machinery at- tached to the engine, except at request of the engineer.
When the services of the engine are not required, draw the fire, always leaving sufficient quantity for rekindling in case of another alarm while returning. All fuel partially con- sumed shall be preserved, and not be left burning in the streets.
DRIVERS.
Drivers permanently employed shall be on duty at all times. They shall be held personally responsible for their stables, and for the care and management of their horses. They must not drive them faster than is consistent with the safety of the public and of the apparatus of the Department. They will be held responsible for any damage caused by them, or carelessness displayed in conveying their apparatus to or from fires. Racing to or from fires will not be allowed under
any circumstances. If the apparatus of two or more companies shall proceed to or from a fire on the same street, they shall do so in single file, except in case of Chemical Engines, which shall have the "right of way " over all. Returning from fires, they shall drive at a moderate rate of speed. On arriving at fires, the horses shall be blanketed, and kept moving, if possible;
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and upon returning to the house, if wet by perspiration, they must be immediately rubbed dry. These instructions will also apply to drivers of hose-carriages and tenders.
EXERCISE HOURS.
The horses used exclusively by this Department will be exercised daily, in accordance with the following order : -
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, April 21, 1884.
ORDERED, That on and after May 1, 1884, the several horses perma- nently employed in the Fire Department shall be exercised daily ( Sundays excepted ), and in the following streets, except when otherwise ordered by the Chief of Department : -
No. 1 ENGINE. - Washington to Church, to Eldridge, to Vernon, to Park Streets.
No. 2 ENGINE. - Washington to Elm, to Webster, to Waltham, to Chestnut, to Margin Streets.
No. 3 ENGINE. - Willow to Beacon, to Crescent Avenue, to Pleasant, to Centre, to Willow Streets.
No. 1 TRUCK.
Washington, Parsons, to Central Avenue. No. 4 HOSE
Exercise hours to be regulated by Chief of Department, and not to exceed one hour nor less than one-half hour. The rules governing inclement weather and holidays will remain in force. Any employee failing to conform to the above order shall be subject to suspension.
H. L. BIXBY, Chief of Department. ('lerk.
I. F. KINGSBURY,
when the horses have performed no duty within the twenty-four hours next preceding. The horses will not be exercised on public holidays, and never speed them faster than a slow trot.
"RIGHT OF WAY WHEN PROCEEDING TO FIRES," AS ACCORDED BY LAW.
[ Chap. 37, Acts 1874. ]
An Act to Punish the Wilful Obstruction of Fire Engines, etc.
Whoever wilfully and maliciously obstructs or retards the passage of any engine, or other apparatus, of any Fire Department, while going to a fire, through any street, lane, alley, or other way, shall be punished by
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imprisonment in the House of Correction not exceeding three months, or by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars. [Approved Feb. 28, 1874. ]
All drivers of this Department will govern themselves by the above law, and use the utmost discretion at all times to avoid accidents. Call-drivers of hose-carriages will be required to sleep in their respective stations.
STOKERS.
"The stokers shall respond promptly to all alarms, and, when in quarters, they will assist in hitching up. When on duty at fires, they shall be under the direction of their respec- tive engineers, who shall require their whole and undivided attention. On return from fires, they shall remain on duty until relieved by their engineers. They will be required to sleep in their respective stations.
FOREMEN.
It shall be the duty of the foremen of all companies where permanent men are not employed, to see that the apparatus committed to their care, and the several stations in which the same are deposited, and all things in or belonging to the same, are kept neat and clean, and in order for immediate use; to see that the snow is cleared from the sidewalks and driveways connected with the stations under their charge.
FINES.
Foremen of companies will see that the following fines for non-attendance are rigidly enforced :
For absence from fires and alarms . $1 00
For absence from regular and special meetings 50
ASSISTANT FOREMEN.
The assistant foreman, shall, in the absence of the fore- man, perform all the duties and exercise the same authority as the foreman.
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MEMBERS.
The members of the several companies shall, upon an alarm of fire from the section of the city to which they are assigned for duty, proceed promptly to the place of the fire in an orderly manner, report to the foreman, and perform any duty that may be required of them. They shall remain on duty until relived by orders, which shall be given only by the officer in command. If the company to which they are attached does not respond to the alarm on first call, they shall proceed to their engine, hose or truck stations, and remain thirty minutes, unless called into service or relieved by dismissal. No member shall be absent from duty for a longer period than one month, except in case of sickness, or by special permission of the Chief of Department. No person whose occupation requires his daily absence from the city will be eligible to membership in this Department. Any officer or member of this Department who shall remove from the city shall thereupon cease to be a mem- ber ; and all members of the Department will be required to live within a reasonable distance of their respective stations.
SUBSTITUTES.
Each company may have two substitutes to take the place of call-members absent from the city or disabled by sickness. . They shall be approved by the Chief of Department, and shall, if for services rendered for a period of fifteen days or more, receive the same compensation as their principal, to be deducted from their principal's pay. Any substitute serving for a less time than fifteen days shall be paid the amount of fines imposed on his principal for non-attendance at fires or alarms. Any member failing to pay his substitute on the following pay-day shall be subject to dismissal. No substitute can be assigned to duty in place of his principal during the time of a fire or an alarm of fire.
BUNKERS.
Call-men to whom beds are assigned will be required to
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retire at or before 11 P. M., unless excused by the engineer or person in charge of the station, and will not be allowed to use or occupy the same during the day, unless deprived of their usual rest by the performance of active fire duty, or in case of sickness sufficient to require the use of the same. No visitors will be allowed in the bunk-rooms after hours, or at any other time while the beds are occupied. It shall be the duty of the engineer or member in charge of the station, to immediately report to the Chief of Department any misconduct or violations of the rules on the part of persons occupying said beds. The occupant of each bed will be held responsible for the cleanliness of the same, and for any damage to either bed or bedding through carelessness. All members occupying sleeping quarters in the engine, hose, and truck stations shall vacate their beds from May 1 to Oct. 1, at 6.30 A. M., and from Oct. 1 to May 1, at 7 A. M.
HORSES AND FEEDING.
The system of feeding shall be as follows, particular care being exercised not to feed or water the horses while too warm : -
Four quarts of oats morning and night ; this, with about eight or ten pounds of hay after bedding the horses, will constitute the daily allowance for each horse, and must not be exceeded. But when it shall be ascertained that a less allowance is sufficient, the driver will exercise discretion as to the quantity. The stalls to be cleaned early in the morning ; after breakfast the horses groomed and the harnesses cleaned. Horses sick or disabled will be immediately reported to the Chief of Department. No alteration or changes in harness will be permitted, except upon authority of the Chief of Department. When horses are in the shop for shoeing, the drivers shall remain with them, and shall report to the Chief of Department any unnecessary delay, or any work improperly
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