The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-08
ST. NICHOLAS AVENUE.

AN APPEAL TO THE BOARD FOR REVISION AND
CORRECTION OF AssEssMESrs-ExcKss1y
CHARGES AND UNJUST ASSESSMENTS.
The heavy assessments levied on uptovrn nropertv
for improvements in opening and grading St. Nicholas
and other places have aroused spirit Of rebel
lion among large number Of taxpayers This spirit
was exhibited very plainly at gathering Of property
owners which filled the comptrollers Office yesterday
afternoon at meeting OF the Board for the Revision ana
Correction OF Assessments This commission Is com.
posed Of Comptroller Green Corporation Counsel Whit
ney and Recorder Hacket II Is the duty OF this Board
10 pass upon all assessments for opening grading and
tagging streets and other like improvements after the
lists OF expenses have been submitted nom the Board
OF Assessors
The owners OF property In the upper part Of the
island called upon TO pay assessments ior the
opening OF St Nicholas avenue, among other matters
The work has been done principally by private contract
and days labor instead OF public letting the result
II asserted that the work cost more than donoo
what IL was worth.
At yesterdays meeting OF the commission Mr. Charles
+. Miller appeared on behalf OF the Academy OF the
Sacred Heart This institution has been assessed very
heavily for the ST. Nicholas avenue improvement The
objections raised behalf OF this institution convey
the leading points OF protests already died and are as
folows:-
That the superintendent Of said assessments Is not
equitable and that larger amount has been assessed
upon the lands OF the directors than upon other lands
equally benefited; that said lands not benefited TO
included in said for surveyors fees that said
work done by days work, and not by contract, as
required by law that advertisement was ever made
for proposals sealed bids for the doing Of said work
that the charges exravagant and excessive that
larger amount should have been assessed upon the
city OF New York.
The total assessments tho property are set down
the map as follows:-
Map No 95. 1885 Map No oT....... 81, Gas
Map No 90. ........ T64S Map No 9S.. 1873
Mr. Miller made a strong argument in opposition 70
the confirmation OF the assessment
Mr. Martin ZobrowsKie who owns property at Ninety
second street and Ninth avenue and who has been
assessed $50 000 also appeared before the com
mission and made short argument
Mr.. John Ely and Mr.. Pierce, attorney for Mary G.
Pihkney also put In protest Other objections OF
property owners were then filed.
Corporation Counsel whitney suggested the conhr-
nation OF the assessment on the ground that the
Court of Appeals had decided that the Commissioner OF
Public Works had authority TO proceed with the work
as he may deem proper.
Comptroller Green objected to the confirmation, and
the matter laid over.
PROTEST PROM GERHARD.
The following communication transmitted to the
Board by Mr.. William IL Gebhard:-
NEW YORK Dec Ie 1875.
To BOARD SUPERVISORS CRY NEW
GKsrLExKs-I hereby enter my most formal protest
against the unjust laid lots fronting ST.
and my lots Hath street north side and l5th
south side adjoining the ST. Nicholas avenue above
portion the assessment but has in most inequitabe and
posed amount Of made BY the two de-
partments-Paks and Public Works At the Department Of
many charges tina. seemed to So made against the ave
that certainly should not go against tho avenue.
setting ampposs for the Harlem Gas Company repair
ing &c further protest that the work not
done by public letting the lowest bidder, but done In
and reckless manner and that should
be obliged pay than fair and equitable price
for the further protest against paying for the
tension of the the northwest Of l23d street and
Eighth MY lots we're located on the late veil
known Harlem lane aud required but triAe OF filling 10
bring them tho grade nevertheless notice taken
thereof assessed more than four times the actual
value OK the work done in block What fort To benefit
the property north OF 12h street. who had entire
them which brought their property
into srket and besides there large Institution that 70
benefited extent. which, nevertheless
evades carrying tho burden of taxation moro benefited than
all the rest.
assessments to just amount remain, gentlemen
obedient servant, WILLIAM II. GBBHAkD
No 81 Nassau street.
Sworn 10 before me- this 10th day Of December 1875
CHARLES p. DIXIE Jr, Notary Public. New York county