Hartford Board of Fire Commissioners votes to oppose sale of Garden Street Reservoir to Hartford Fire Insurance Company

1. Jacob Schwolsky’s intention was to “have the water board reconsider their action and to prevent the consummation of the deal.”
2. The Courant understood that John C. Moran was also opposed to selling the reservoir property.

Unfortunately, I haven’t found any articles reporting directly on this meeting of the fire board.

A reference to the reservoir’s possible use by the Hartford Fire Department was made at the meeting of the Hartford Board of Water Commissioners on September 25, 1919.

Today, Richard Bissell told the Courant that he anticipated that the board of directors of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company would vote to purchase the Garden Street Reservoir.

1. The board of directors of Hartford Fire Insurance Company approved the purchase on September 30, 1919.
2. A special committee of the fire board met with representatives of Hartford Fire on October 4, 1919.

“This action came at a time when the directors of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company had practically decided to purchase the reservoir from the water department.  What action will be taken however, is problematical.”

1. Thomas F. Garvan, John J. McIntyre, and Jacob Schwolsky were fire commissioners. McIntyre also served as president of the fire board.
2. John C. Moran was chief, Hartford Fire Department.

1. Unattributed, “City reservoir no longer dependable,” Hartford Courant, October 6, 1919, page 2.
2. Unattributed, “Conference today on Garden St. reservoir,” Hartford Courant, October 4, 1919, page 16.
3. Unattributed, “Insurance co. ready to build, reservoir question in doubt,” Hartford Courant, October 1, 1919, page 13.