The Stark County Democrat

The Canton Fire Department is Dangerous

Fire Chief Mesnar's Report on the Condition of the Central Engine House.

In a communication to the board of public safety at their regular meeting Saturday evening Fire Chief Mesnar called their attention to the dangerous condition of the Central engine house. Whether a new building is to be erected or not it is evident that repairs must be made in the near future as the lives of the firemen are constantly in danger.

The northwest corner of the building is crumbling away and large cracks appear in the walls in numerous places. The chief says that the attic floor has sunk over half a foot in places and that he is afraid it will come down.

Mesnar estimates that it will take between $4000 and $5000 to put the building in proper shape and make it hold out for a number of years yet.

The mayor and members of the board are in favor of erecting a new building in which the patrol station would also be included but to build one that would be in keeping with the two other city buildings would require a large sum of money.

Mayor Turnbull says that under the Longworth act he believes the city has not got the right to issue bonds for that purpose now without submitting the proposition to a vote of the people. The communication of the chief will be taken up in the near future at a special meeting.

Mayor Turnbull and President Fawcett were appointed a committee to look up a new team of horses for the patrol wagon, the present team having outlived their usefulness in the department. They have a team in mind and will make a trip to Portage county during the week and if found satisfactory will purchase them.

Chief Mesnar asked that the grounds about the new hose house be filled in at once and that the sidewalks be laid as some slight damage has already been done by the recent rains. The board decided to make a trip of inspection to both houses next Wednesday afternoon.

The accumulated bills were allowed and ordered paid.