USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1890 > Part 15
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Rule 4.
Any member permanently employed, who refuses or neglects to pay any just debt contracted during his connec- tion with the department, it shall be deemed sufficient cause for suspension or discharge.
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Rule 5.
No permanent officer or member of the department shall attend a caucus or political convention as a delegate, distrib- ute tickets at any election, or take any part whatever in political matters than to exercise a right of suffrage.
Rule 6.
All members of the department will be required to address officers by their respective titles when on duty.
Rule 7.
When any member shall leave the department, he shall thereupon return his badge, key, and copy of rules and regulations, in good condition, to the foreman of his com- pany, who shall immediately notify the Chief of Department ; and any member failing so to do shall have the amount deducted from his pay.
Rule 8.
No balls, parties, or social gatherings of any description shall be held in any building in charge of the department, except on permission from the Chief of Department.
Rule 9.
No property belonging to the city will be loaned for any purpose whatever, except upon written order of the Chief of Department.
Rule 10.
No hoseman or truckman at call shall be entitled to pay for less than fifteen days' service. All appointments shall, as far as practicable, to be made to date from the first or fifteenth day of each month.
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GENERAL RULES. 63
Rule 11.
In the use of hydrants all members of the department are instructed to use great care in the opening and closing of the same, and to see that each cap is properly adjusted before leaving. The first company connecting with a hydrant in case of fire will leave one member in charge of the same ; should a second company or line desire connection, it will not be made until the line is complete to the fire, and orders given for water. Exceptions to this are ordered for engines, which will be given immediate connection (if ordered into service), and the hydrant left in charge of the engineer.
Rule 12.
Officers of companies, hosemen, and laddermen will wear their fire-hats when on duty.
Approved by Board of Mayor and Aldermen, April 19, 1880.
Attest : EDWIN O. CHILDS, Clerk.
HI. L. BIXBY, Chief Fire Department.
BILL OF DRESS FOR THE UNIFORMED FORCE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF NEWTON.
Fire Cap.
For Chief of Department .- A white leather cap with eight cones, having a white leather stitched front depending from a gilt eagle head, and attached to the front of the cap, with the word "Chief" in black letters stitched on white ground, with "Fire Department" in the center, and the word "Newton " at the bottom.
For Assistant Chief of Department .- Same as for Chief of the Department, except that the rim and cape will be black on both sides and lettered " Ass't Chief, Fire Depart- ment, Newton."
For Officers Engine and Hose Companies .- Same as for Chief of Department, except that it will be of black leather, and have a white leather stitched front, with the letters and figures cut out of it on a background of black patent leather.
For Officers Truck Company .- Same as for officers engine companies, except that the letters will be on red ground.
For All Members Engine and Hose Companies .- Same as for officers, except that the front will be of black patent leather, with letters on background of white patent leather.
For Members Truck Companies .- Same as for officers of truck companies, except that the fronts will be of red patent leather, with letters on background of white patent leather.
5
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Fatigue Caps.
For Chief of Department .- Of United States Navy pat- tern, made of dark blue cloth, pure indigo dye, with band one and one-half inches, and quarters one and three-quarters inches high, stiffened with hair-cloth sewed into the seam of top and quarters, the sides to be ventilated, a narrow welt around bottom and top seam of cap, the inner band to be of strong, serviceable leather, the visor to be plain, solid, black, patent leather, two inches wide, with rounded corners, the chin straps of black patent leather one-half inch wide, with slides of same material, straps to be fastened to cap on each side with small regulation button.
The insignia of rank to be placed on the quarters in the centre of the front, the lower part resting nearly on the upper edge of band.
For Assistant Chief of Department .- Same as for Chief of Department.
For Engineers Steamers, Drivers, etc. - Same as for Assistant Chief, but omitting insignia of rank, and substi- tuting therefor a white metal badge, as per pattern at headquarters, to be fastened to the cap, with the. lower end resting upon the upper lower edge of band.
For winter service, caps known as "Scotch Havelocks" may be substituted for the "Regulation Cap."
Hats for Summer Wear.
For Chief and Assistant Chief of Department. - Light gray felt helmets, with black silk band one inch wide, rim bound with the same, with insignia on the front and just above the band, to be ventilated each side, the sweat-band to be of leather, one and one-half inches wide and ventilated.
For All Other Members .- Of brown Mackinac braided straw (braids about five-eights of an inch wide); sides about three and one-half inches high, slightly tapering at crown,
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BILL OF DRESS.
with black ribbed-silk ribbon band one and three-quarters of an inch wide, tied in a single bow knot on left side, brim about two and one-quarter inches wide, bound with seven- eights-inch black ribbon ; the sweat-band to be of leather about one and one-half inches wide, the bottom or crown to be lined with paper. The badge as prescribed above to be worn upon the ribbon in front.
Coats.
For Chief of Department .- A double-breasted, close, fitting sack coat, made of dark blue cloth, pure indigo dye, cut to button close to the neck, with rolling collar, and to reach to a point midway between the hip-joint and the bend of the knee ; to have eight medium-sized regulation buttons on each breast, grouped in pairs ; the cuffs to be made to fit the wrists, and to be closed with three small regulation but- tons ; a blind pocket on each breast, with plain flaps ; two inside breast pockets ; the sleeves to be cut so as to be con- veniently worn inside the overcoat ; the coat to be lined with black Italian cloth, and the sleeves with linen. The pre- scribed insignia of rank to be placed in the end of the collar on each side.
For Assistant Chief of Department .- Same as for the Chief of the Department, except that there will be seven buttons placed equidistant, and the insignia of rank as prescribed.
For All Other Members .- The coat will be single-breasted with six medium-sized buttons.
For Summer Wear .- A coat may be worn of dark blue flannel, indigo dye, and in all other respects as above, but without lining.
Overcoats.
For Chief of Department .- A double-breasted frock coat, with rolling collar, lap seams, of best heavy, dark blue cloth,
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
pure indigo dye, in length to reach below the knee, to button close up to the neck, with eight large regulation buttons on each breast, grouped in pairs, three on each skirt behind and three of small size on each sleeve at cuff, the skirts to be open behind, blind pockets on each skirt inside, with flaps, also on breasts and two inside breast pockets.
The skirts to be lined with black Italian cloth, and back with red twilled flannel, sleeves with linen.
For Assistant Chief of Department-Same as for Chief of Department, except that there shall be seven large regu- lation buttons on each breast, placed equidistant.
For All Other Members .- Same as for Chief of Depart- ment, except that the seams will be plain, with six large regulation buttons on each breast, placed equidistant.
Vests.
For Chief of Department .- A single-breasted vest made of same material as coat, without collar, and to button with eight small regulation buttons, grouped in pairs ; inside to be lined with light-colored silesia ; back to be made of black twilled silesia.
For Assistant Chief of Department .- Same as for Chief of Department, except that there shall be seven small regulation buttons, placed equidistant.
For All Other Members .- Same as for Chief of Depart- ment, except that there shall be six small regulation buttons, placed equidistant.
For Summer Wear .- A vest may be worn made of light cloth or flannel, dark blue, indigo dye, and in all other respects as above described.
Trousers.
For Chief of Department .- To be made of same material as the coat, with a lap seam; to be cut to fit close around
69
BILL OF DRESS.
the waist, but loosely around the hams and legs to admit of their free use.
For All Other Officers and Members .- Same as for Chief of Department, except that they will be made with plain seam.
For Summer Wear .- Trousers may be made of lighter material (dark blue), in the manner prescribed above.
Shirt.
For Chief and Assistant Chief of Department .- White linen or muslin, with rolling or standing-collar.
For All Other Members .- To be of white cotton or linen, with rolling collar.
Cravat.
For All Officers and Members .- A small necktie of black silk to pass once around the neck, and tie with a double bow and flat knot in front, the ends to extend not more than three inches from the knot.
Change of Clothing.
Summer clothing will be worn from June 15, to September 15, inclusive, unless otherwise ordered from head- quarters.
Insignia of Rank.
For Chief of Department .- Embroidered upon dark blue cloth in silver, five trumpets, measuring one and five-six- teenths inches, each crossed with bells outward and projecting beyond mouth pieces, so as to form a design one and one-half inches in diameter.
For Assistant Chief of Department .- Same as for Chief of Department, except that there shall be three trumpets,
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
measuring one and one-half inches, each crossed with bells downward.
For All Other Members .- A white metal badge of the prescribed pattern.
Coat Badge.
For Chief of Department .- A gilt badge from the de- partment die, as follows: In semi-circle at the top the words, " Chief Fire Department"; in the centre, and resting on a ladder, the city seal; beneath, over crossed trumpets, the word "Newton "; below this the monogram "F. D."; the whole badge to be two and one-half inches long by one and one-half inches wide, to be fastened with a pin and improved catch.
For Assistant Chief of Department .- Same as for Chief of Department, except to prefix the word "Assistant."
For All Members Engine Companies .- Same as for Chief of Department, except that the badge will be of white metal, with "Newton Fire Department " at the top, below the seal the word "Engine," and beneath this the registered number.
For All Members Truck and Hose Companies .- Same as for engine companies, except that "Truck " and "Hose " will be substituted respectively above the registered number.
Buttons.
For All Officers and Members .- To be of white metal of the following description : For overcoat (except the cuffs) to be round, one inch in diameter, with convex roughened face, having the initials "F. D." in block letters one-quarter of an ineh high in the centre, the words "City of " at the top, and "Newton " at the bottom, in block letters one-eighth of an inch high, near and parallel to the rim around the button. which rim is be bright, and about one-sixteenth of an inch wide, the button to be attached to the coat by means of an eye of white metal wire securely fastened to it.
71
BILL OF DRESS.
For the coat (except the cuffs) same as for overcoat, except that it is to be three-quarters of an inch in diameter, with the dimensions of all the parts described proportionally reduced in size.
For vests, cuffs of coat, and fatigue cap, same as for overcoat, except that it is to be five-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, with the dimensions of all parts described propor- tionally reduced in size.
All officers and members will be held responsible for the safe keeping, proper use, and return of the articles above enumerated, and they are liable to the following penalties for the loss of either of them: For the loss of a coat badge, $3.50 ; for the loss of a cap badge, $1.00; for the loss of a fire hat, $4.50; for the loss of buttons, $0.05 each. No part of the uniform prescribed in this order is to be loaned to any person, whether in or out of the department, or used for any but legitimate purposes of the same. This order is impera- tive.
All members shall wear the uniform prescribed in the above order when on duty, except while cleaning apparatus, quarters, etc., when old clothing may be worn. The purpose of this regulation is, that the officers and members of the department may at all times, except when in the performance of necessary labor in quarters, appear in proper dress. No officer or member in uniform shall smoke in the streets, or public places, or upon the apparatus floor, where smoking rooms are provided. Officers and men, when upon leave of absence, must wear the uniform entire, or no part of it. Whenever the uniform is worn, it must be in an unsoiled condition, coat buttoned to the neck, buttons, badges, and boots properly polished, and their persons at all times neatly and tidily dressed. While actually wearing the overcoat, the under coat may be dispensed with, and a cardigan jacket substituted, but the overcoat must be buttoned at all times
72
REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
when on the street or on duty, and no part of the uniform will be laid aside until bedtime.
The Assistant Chief of Department shall inspect all uniforms or parts of uniforms before they are worn, and reject all found not in conformity with the provisions of this order.
To take effect on or before September 1, 1887.
In the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, April 4, 1887.
Adopted.
I. F. KINGSBURY, Clerk.
HENRY L. BIXBY, Chief Fire Department.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT ORDINANCES.
ORDINANCE XXIV.
Buildings.
SECTION 1. No person shall erect, alter, Permit. rebuild, or essentially change any building or any part thereof, for any purpose other than a dwelling-house, without first obtaining in writ- ing a permit from the board of aldermen. The application for such permit shall specify the lo- cation 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 dan- gerous to persons or property, without first obtaining a permit, as named in Section 1.
SECT. 3. All chimneys hereafter erected Chimneys and shall be built of brick, stone, or other fire-proof, brick flues. 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
74
REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
by iron beams, having a secure bearing on iron at either end.
Hearths of fire-places 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 dis- tance 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, without being guarded either by a double collar of metal, with at least four inches air space and holes for ventilation, or by a soap- stone 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.
Pub. Stats., chap. 103, §56.
SECTION 1. No person shall keep or de- posit any gunpowder within the city unless it is well secured in tight casks or canisters.
75
BUILDING DEPARTMENT ORDINANCES.
No person shall keep or deposit more than fifty pounds of gunpowder in any shop, store, or other building which is within the distance of twenty-five rods from any other building or wharf ; no person shall keep or deposit more than twenty-five pounds of gunpowder in any shop, store, or other building which 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 cop- per, tin, or brass canisters holding not exceeding five pounds each, and closely covered with cop- per, brass, or tin covers.
SECT. 2. Licenses may be granted by the mayor and aldermen for the retailing of gun- powder, 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 city without such license. Every such li-
No person to keep or deposit gunpowder, unless, etc.
Limit of Amount.
Licenses.
Sales without license pro- hibited.
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
License may be rescinded.
cense shall be in force one year from the date thereof, provided 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 person who re- ceives a license shall sign his name to a copy of the rules prescribed in this ordinance, as evi- dence 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 mag- azines, nor to cartridge manufacturers, so long as they shall keep their powder in canisters, as prescribed in Section 4, and in fire-proof maga- zines, located and built to the satisfaction of the mayor and aldermen, and so long as such manu- facturers 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 work-shop 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,
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BUILDING DEPARTMENT ORDINANCES.
any explosive compound other than gunpowder, in quantity exceeding one-fifth of a pound.
SECT. 7. The mayor and aldermen may license any suitable person to keep, store, and sell such compound, in according with the fore- going provisions.
SECT. 8. Any member of the police or of the Fire Department may enter the building or premises of any person so licensed, to make the examination 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 ex- ceeding twenty dollars.
STATUTE AND ORDINANCE REGULATING SU- PERVISION OF WIRES OVER STREETS AND BUILDINGS IN CITIES.
[CHAP. 404; ACTS 1890.]
An Act Relating to the Regulation and Supervision of Wires Over Streets or Buildings in Cities.
Be it Enacted, etc., as Follows :
SECTION 1. Every person or corporation, private or municipal, owning or operating a line of wires over streets or buildings in a city, shall use only wires that are suitable and strong ; shall suitably and safely attach them to strong and sufficient supports, and insulate them at all points of attach- ment ; shall remove all wires abandoned for use ; shall suita- bly insulate every wire where it enters a building, and, if such wire is other than a wire designed to carry an electric light or power current, shall attach to it at suitable and con- venient points in the circuit, calculating to prevent danger from fire and near the points of entering the building, an appliance calculated to prevent at all times a current of electricity of such intensity or volume as to be capable of injuring electrical instruments or causing fire from entering the building by means of such wire, beyond the point at which such appliance is attached, and shall suitably insulate every wire within a building when such wire is designed to carry an electric light current.
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SECT. 2. Every such person and corporation shall, in the several cities, within six months after the appointment of the officer hereinafter provided for, affix at the points of support at which any such wire or cable containing wires is attached, a tag or mark distinctly designating the owner or user of such wire or cable. No such tag or mark shall be required for the wires of a street railway company used for the transmission of motive power, nor for the protection or support of such wires.
SECT. 3. Every city shall, by ordinance, designate or provide for the appointment of an officer who shall supervise every wire over streets or buildings in such city, and every wire within a building when such wire is designed to carry an electric light or power current ; shall notify the person or corporation owning or operating any such wire whenever its attachments, insulation, supports or appliances are unsuit- able or unsafe, or the tags or marks thereof are insufficient or illegible, and shall, at the expense of the city, remove every wire abandoned for use, and every wire which after the six months aforesaid shall be unprovided with a tag or mark, as hereinbefore required, such expense to be repaid by the owner of such wire ; and shall see that all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to such wires are strictly enforced.
SECT. 4. Any city may recover, in an action of con- tract, of the person or corporation owning any such wire as is hereinbefore described, any expense which it may have incurred for any removal thereof.
SECT. 5. Any court having equity jurisdiction or any justice thereof, in term time or vacation, may, on a petition of the officer designated or appointed as aforesaid, by any suita- ble process or decree in equity enforce the provisions of this act, and may, on such petition, issue an injunction or other suitable process to restrain the use or maintenance, or to cause the removal, of any wire, post or other support erected, maintained or used in violation of this act.
81
ELECTRIC WIRE ORDINANCE.
SECT. 6. This act shall take effect upon its passage. Approved June 11, 1890.
Ordinance Relating to the Supervision and Regulation of Wires.
Be it Ordained by the City Council of the City of Newton, as follows, viz. :
SECTION 1. The office of Inspector of Wires is hereby created.
SECT. 2. Said Inspector shall supervise every wire or cable over streets or buildings, and every wire within a building when such wire is designed to carry an electric light or power current ; shall notify the person or corpo- ration owning or operating any such wire or cable when- ever its attachments, insulation, supports or appliances are unsuitable or unsafe, or any tags or marks thereof, herein- after described are insufficient and illegible ; and shall remove every wire abandoned for use, and every wire except the wire of a street-railway company used for the transmission of its motive power, or for the protection or support of such wires, which, after the expiration of six months from the date of his appointment, shall be unprovided with a tag or mark distinctly designating the owner or user of such wire or cable ; shall see that all statutes, ordinances, and regulations, relating to his duties, and to the location, erection, supports, maintenance, insulation, and removal of wires or cables in, over, or under streets or buildings are strictly complied with and enforced.
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