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2026 02 19

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Old Town of Broad Ripple Meeting Minutes #249

posted: Feb. 19, 2026

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-forty-ninth installment

Broad Ripple Town Minutes - Book 2 - Pages 89 and 90

Appointing new Fire Chief

The Board of Trustees met in special session at 7 p.m. January 11, 1910.

Roll call as follows.

W.E Rodocker - 1st ward - present

Dr. Hesler 2 " ward - present

C.F. Kiser 3 " ward - present

The question of appointing Henry Gay as fire chief was discussed and the following contract with Mr. Gay was agreed upon.

Duties

[Margin] One.

(1) It is understood that in case of fire or fire alarm being given, said Gay is to start the engine at once. While at the fire, it shall be his duty to look after the nozzle and if needs be deputize anyone he may want to assist him in the performance of his duty

[Margin] Two

(2) It is understood and agreed that a place shall be provided in the town hall of Broad Ripple as sleeping quarters for Mr. Gay and it shall be his duty to occupy such place provided

[Margin] Three

(3) If any repairs at any time are needed for fire apparatus, Mr. Gay shall notify the President of the Board, and they shall purchase such repairs as thus deem necessary.

[Margin] Four

(4) It is also understood that Mr. Gay shall start the fire engine at least twice each week on Sundays and Wednesdays and more often if the town trustees believe it necessary.

[Margin] Five

(5) That for and in consideration of the duties to be performed by said Gay he shall receive a salary of $65.00 per year which is to be payable in equal monthly payments at the end of each month

[Margin] Six

(6) It is further agreed that in the event said Gay is compelled to leave Broad Ripple at any time during the life of this contract, he shall notify the town marshall when so leaving.

After a reading of the above contract by the clerk a motion was made to ratify said contract and all members of the board voted in the affirmative

Discussion of extension of time for completion of work of grading on 60th Street and Broadway, contracted by Harry Byrkit motion was made by Mr Kiser to extend the time for completion of such work until April 15th 1910 provided, however, that said Byrkit shall complete his work sooner if weather will permit

All members voted in the affirmative and extension was granted

Mr. Rodocker moved that Harry Byrkett be allowed the sum of ___ ____ ____ ____ 100

as part payment on contract for grading of 60th and Broadway sts and upon vote by the entire board motion carried

No further business coming before the board they stood adjourned until the next regular meeting date - first Tuesday in February - 1910

(Attest)

Fletcher Johnson

G.F. Hesler MD town clerk

{next issue: Ordinances for fire and dogs}

alan@broadripplegazette.com

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