Windham County Observer

Practically All Members Of Dept. Benefit Under Schedule Included In New Ordinance.

Fire Chief Given Increase Of $100

Other Members Of Dept. Raised In Accordance With Their Rank In Organization.

Practically every member of the Putnam Fire Department was given a wage increase last night as the City Council adopted an ordinance which provides a new salary schedule for the department. An increase in the fire department appropriation, recommended by the City Board of Finance and approved by voters at Monday's city meeting, paved the way for the increase in wages.

Under the new salary schedule, Fire Chief Charles Donahue will receive $450, an increase of $100 over the wage paid under the salary schedule previously in effect. The two assistant chiefs were given a raise from $150 to $200.

Other members of the department had their salaries raised in proportion. Members of Motor Companies 1 and 2 and the Hook and Ladder Company will receive $100 in lieu of the $60 previously paid. Foremen of each company were raised from $70 to $145. Assistant foremen were increased from $60 to $110. Six drivers of fire trucks of the various companies will receive $140 instead of the $135 previously paid.

Standing at the same level as heretofore are salaries of fire police, $15; night man at the Central fire station, $24 per week; superintendent of alarms, $250 per year. With the exception of the night man at the fire station, all salaries of the department are on an annual basis with payments made quarterly.

Adoption of the ordinance ended a lengthy discussion here of wage increases for members of the fire department, whose salaries were admittedly none too high. Originally, the city board of finance declined to increase the department's appropriation to provide for the increase. At a later session of the board, citizens and members of the department recommended an increase. This increase was approved by voters at the adjourned annual city meeting on Monday.