Old Town of Broad Ripple Meeting Minutes #232
posted: May 29, 2025
This historic serial has run on and off in the last 21 years of the Broad Ripple Gazette. The intention is to share the history of Broad Ripple, help people find their ancestors in the text, and to complete the transcriptions of these important early documents.
The Town of Broad Ripple was incorporated in 1894, and started holding regular meetings at that time. In each issue, I will print my transcription of the old Town of Broad Ripple meeting minutes. These are taken from the original, hand-written minutes that contain many spelling errors. I have transcribed all the records as they were entered, including errors. I will make some corrections to the text in brackets [ ]. I will try to include street name changes, such as: Shelby Street became 63rd, then Broad Ripple Avenue, Morgan Street is now Guilford, North is now 64th, Hancock is now Westfield, Light Ave is College. See more of our street name research at
BroadRippleHistory.org - Alan
The original minutes books are at the Indiana State Archives at 6440 E. 30th St.
Here is the two-hundred-thirtieth-second installment
new fire chief
Broad Ripple, Ind
June 2nd 1908
Board met in regular session
Roll called and members present as follows
Millard Eaton 1st ward Present
J.D. Sullivan 2nd " absent
B.F. Osborn 3rd " Present
The minutes of the previous meeting was read and approved.
Bills were allowed as follows:
T.F. Metsger 1 mo salary as marshall 30.00
Drying hose .50 c a lamp flue .10 c 60
Total $30.60
Frank E. Watts 6 mo salary as treasurer 10.00
JO Brenneman 6 " " " clerk 10.00
M.F. Eaton 6 " " " town trustee 10.00
JD Sullivan 6 " " " " " 10.00
B.F. Osborn 6 " " " " " 10.00
Frank E. Watts - goods furnished as per bill rendered .98 c
Ferguson Bros lumber as per " " 7.15
Knight and Jillian ball.. due for supplies for fire wells 47.43
Total = $136.16
On motion of B.F. Osborn to pay J.H. Ferguson the sum of twenty five dollars per year to act as fire chief. Salary to commence from June 1st 1908 which motion carried + was ordered.
No further business appearing the board adjourned
M.F. Eaton
"attest" JO Brenneman
"clerk"
Broad Ripple
June 22nd 1908
Board met in special session for the purpose of accepting the side walk improvements on Light or College Avenue which was pronounced by the engineer to be OK + to be up to the requirements entered into by the contractors.
On roll call members being present as follows
MF Eaton 1st ward Present
J.D. Sullivan 2nd " Present
B.F. Osborn 3rd " Present
All members present
It was moved and 2nd that the said side walk be accepted as per engineers orders. On roll call members voted as follows
MF Eaton 1st ward yes
J.D. Sullivan 2nd " yes
B.F. Osborn 3rd " yes
By unanimous vote the board accepted side walk + was so ordered the clerk was instructed to notify all property owners.
Of the action of the Town Board + also to see the engineer + instruct him to make the measurements + also to make the several assessment rolls.
No further business before the board it adjourned
MF Eaton JO Brenneman
Clerk
{next issue: paying for new fire engine }
alan@broadripplegazette.com