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March llth, 1958.
<br />
<br /> dent, and the following facts are submitted for your information:
<br /> At approximately 8:26 P.M. on Friday, February 21, 1958, a telephone alarm was received
<br /> reporting a fire at 1003 Virginia Avenue. Engines 2, 4 and Truck #2 along with Assistant Chief S.H. Hall, in
<br /> car two (2) immediately responded to the scene. On arrival at the scene the fire had gained sufficient headway
<br /> and required the laying of 2~ inch hos~ lines.
<br /> Engine #4 made the hydrant connection and hose lines were laid to the front of the in -
<br /> velved dwelling. The hydrant was opened and the lines were charged to The scene, however, it was immediately
<br />· observed by the Ol~erator of the pump that pressures could not be maintained. Examination revealed that the suc -
<br /> tion strainer was clogged with tuberculation, rust scales and fragments of what was believed to be cement, which
<br /> prevented sufficient water to enter the pump for~firefighting purposes. Tho lack of water at the hydrant was re
<br /> ported to Assistant Chief Hail, who directed Engine #2 to lay another l~ne to the next available hydrant which
<br /> was located at Glasgow S~. and Western Branch Road. Realizing the lengthy line required to cover this distance
<br /> a radio call for an additional Engzne was made to supplement the layzng of hose lines for this fire.
<br /> The excessive amount of rust, scales, and tuberculation, etc., as noted in the Dump
<br /> connection and which emanated from the water distribution mains through the hydrant was discussed with ~Lr. X.D.
<br /> Nurden. He informed me that the larger mains throughout this particular area had recently re-lined and flushed
<br /> to prevent such an occurrence, however, ~ufficient flushing had act been made to completely free the distribution
<br /> system of the cause of the stoppage as suffered during the fire.
<br /> Other similar situations have occurred, not only in our city but in other municipalities
<br /> wherein hydrant deficiencies have reflected adversely against fire department operations. Operating nuts have beeh
<br /> found defective, valve stems have been broke and on eeveral occasions hydrants have been frozen because of inad-
<br /> equate drain facilities.
<br /> These occurrences have been rare and have been given immediate correction when brought
<br /> to the attention of the cognizan~ authorities. I might sa~ at this time that the Water Superintendent has given
<br /> full co-operation to this departmon~ at all times and our relations have been most harmonious. The minor delay
<br /> occasioned by the hydrant in question did no~ seriously handicap the firefighting operation of the department as
<br /> the fire was quickly brought under control. Odell Benton, Chief, Fire Department.TM
<br />
<br /> "Las~ ~onday, February 23 , Chief Benton showed me some materials he had found in the
<br />strainer of one of his fire engines. This engine was connected to a fi~e hydrant on Portland and Chautauqua Sts.
<br />The haterial was the oxidized iron cleaningsfro~ ~he interior of the water mains and was, we believe, deposited
<br />in the long branch to the fire hydrant, lodge~ in the crevices in the main and flushed~at when the velocity of
<br />the water was high enough to dislodge the material and lift it out o£ the hydrant.
<br /> Normally all branbh vhlves are closed before cleaning, as this one was supposed to have
<br />been, however, it is possible that this valve was not closed as no consumers are tapped on thi~ line.
<br /> We have inspected all of the hydrants on the 1~~ main from Glasgow St. to Detroit Ave.
<br />and found &ach to be in goo~ cbnditioh. X~ D. Mukden, Su~t. Water Dephrtmen~."
<br />
<br /> "The last (1950 #269) National Board of Fire Underwriters ~eport recommended construc-
<br />tion of 12" mains in certain areas of the City. These mains were not required after the Five Mile Post pumping
<br />Station was placed in service, therefore have not been constructed. The mains to serve the principhl mercan -
<br />%ilo district have bern constructed and in addition we have cleaned and~ lined a complete loop of 24", 16" and
<br />mains serving this area. The other recommendations in th~ repor~ have;been superseded by the i954 report of the
<br />Pitometer Associates, Inc., which was concurred in by the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
<br /> We have since January l, 1955, ek~ended more than $244,0B0.00 of an entire recommended
<br />amount of $355,000.00. The balance o~ this work Should be completed in ~the next two years. The report covers a
<br />fifteen year period, 195B ~o 1970, and our schedule, including propose~ annexation program, should complete the
<br />recommendations within the time limit provided. The proposed schedule will require an average expenditure of
<br />$200,000.00 per annum, exclusive of normal extensions. We know the Engineers of the N.B. of F.U. are pleased
<br />$ith~the zmprov~mehts we have made since 1950. X.D. Murden, 8~p~., Water Department."
<br />
<br /> 58-80 - "I submit the attached request for approval of authority for Industrial Adver-
<br />tising in t~e Commonwealth magazine and reconm~end that approval be gran'ted.
<br /> There zs no request for an additional appropriation since funds have previou~
<br />ly been appropriated for this purpose."
<br />
<br /> "In March THE CO~ONWEALTH, official publication of the Virginia State Chamber of Com -
<br /> merce, will feature the City of Portsmouth with cover picture and 10 to 16 pages o£ editorial matter and advertis
<br /> ing. The industrial promotion campaign made possible by the city will be thoroughly covered in a special feature
<br /> story.
<br /> Local advertisers have purchased advertising spabe in this special issue to help ad-
<br />vance Portsmouth's story. The Portsmouth Industrial Commission is anxious ~o see the city's own industrial pro-
<br />motion gdvertised ~s ~ feature of thi~ isSUe. It is planned to have reprints made for distribution to industrial
<br />prospects. We would like yohr ~utho~izhti~n 'rd purchise'from the appropriated advertising fund, a ~ull page in
<br />this specimi issue. The cost of this page would be $225.00 plus approximately $50.00 for art preparation and
<br />~plate. The publishers have promised to extend the~ space' reservation deadline to Wednesday, February 26th. If
<br /> ~ou consider Council approval necessary on this matter, we would appreciate your requesting such action for the
<br /> February 25th meeting. Many thanks for your continuing co-operation. Thdmas F. Bio, Sec.-Treasurer
<br /> Major and Bio."
<br />
<br />Motto n of Mr. Weiseman that permission be granted was adopted.
<br />
<br /> 58-81 "I am submitting the attached report from the Director of Public'Works on an
<br />estimated cost of curb .and gutters and aisc the average cosz'of maintaining open ditehes~within the City of Ports
<br />mouth. This information was requested by s member of Council et ~ previous meeting."
<br />
<br />On motion filed.
<br />
<br />58-82 - "It .is in order to hea~ from Councilman Baker.
<br />
<br />Mr. Baker presented the following resolution and moved its adoption:
<br />
<br />"Resolution -
<br /> Concerning Closed Conferences of the City Cduncil
<br />
<br />WHERE~S, the Council ~i the City of Portsmouth has in recent years
<br />
<br />
<br />
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