Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1898 — The City Council. [ARTICLE]

The City Council.

The Fire Department to Be Re-organized. The city council met in regular session Monday night. H. C. Hoshaw and many other residents of Austin & Paxton’s addition, petitioned for four incandescent lights in their vicinity. Referred to electric light committee. A sidewalk was ordered along the west side of Division street, along block 23 of the original town, and of block 3 of Benjamin’s addition. A 4 foot cement walk was ordered along the east side of Van Rensselaer street, from the court house square to Dr. Alter’s place. The railroad company was ordered to clean out Makemself ditch, along their right of way, within 30 days. The fire company recommended M. L. Hemphill for chief of the fire department, but no action was taken.

Action looking towards a general re-organization of the fire department was begun. The fire committee of the council, the city attorney and a committee to be appointed by the fire company, was directed to prepare an ordinance prescribing the qualifications of a good fireman, defining their duties, preparing new rules and regulations and in short, reorganizing the department entirely. Action which can not be taken any too soon, as the department is now practically disbanded. It was resolved that on and after October Ist, all light bills must be paid a month in advance, This is to prevent loss from transients, who move away leaving their last month’s light bill unpaid. The city engineer presented final estimate as to retaining walls at Washington street bridge, but was ordered to amend the same, so as to show the amount of each property owner’s assessment. The Curfew ordinance was passed to a second reading. The new sewer on Van Rensselaer street, north of waterworks, was reported finished. The council decided that the city would pay for the catch basins in same. Claims to the amount of $l5O- - were allowed.

The treasurer's report shows balance .in corporation fund of $2762.23. In road fund, $568.16. The report of the electric light fund shows that $4391.11 has been expended. No receipts in that fumfiJias yet been made by the bank. That part of the record of the previous meeting showing the definite location of the six newjirc lights, was stricken out; but the. attempt to locate them at this meeting caused a very lively discussion, and only one was finally located. This was the light on Forest street. One proposition was to locate it at the intersection of Vine street, the first street this side of the railroad, and near Coen I A Brady’s grain office. The other ■ was to locate it one block further i south, at the end of Elm street, and near A. Parkison’s residence. The councilmen split even, three and three, on the two locations and the mayor gave his casting vote in favor of the Vine street location. The location of the other new arcs was discussed for a while, but no agreement seeming near, the mayor declared the council ad- ■ journed. 1 _ See C. A. Roberts for eber fatm wagons the King of all; Birdsell Clover Hullers and Extras, Huber Threshing Machine, Extras ' for Separator and Engines.