The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-11-15
PEAKS ISLAND.
hearing Given Taxpayers by the City
Committee.

Yesterday morning the joint standing COM
mittee on Assessors Department, of the City
Government. composed of Alderman NC
Clutchy and Councilmen Floyd and Irish,
gave a hearing in the Common Council room
to the citizens of Peaks Island, who think
they have been uDjustly taxed this year by
the assessors. About dozen property own
ers from Peaks Island were present.
Mr. Henry Trefethen was the first speaker.
He said his house cost 1884 and the land on
which it stands $615. II is taxed this year
on valuation of $4,000. He has five other
lots for which he paid in all 5000. He has
been endeavoring to sell them for that price
but has not found q purchaser. They are
taxed for valuation Of $780, He thought
the taxes on Peaks Island were much too
high, considering the disadvantages the resi-
dents labor under and the advantages en-
joyed by people who live in the city. They
had no fire department until 1884. Then the
city gave them a hand engine, but provided
no water supply. They might just as well
have ten cent sqirt gun. for all the good the
tub is to them. To Offset this apology for a
fire department the city discontinued the 10
per cent. abatement of taxes which they had
previously enjoyed. They have no sidewalks,
no .gaslights and only an apology for street
lights, Tor they go out every windy night
They have police only three months in the
year and would not have them If it were not
for the people that go down from the city,
Mr.. Robert f. Skillings submitted to the
committee a statement of the valution of his
property, made out by himself, for them to
compare with the valuation fixed by the as
sorSors.
Captain James Balm stated that his place
cost him 5000. and the assessors have taxed
1t on valuation of $1,000.
Mr.. John I. Bracket said that the island
Is used as a common by summer pleasure
seekers, and he thought the tax very much
higher than 1t ought to be.
the old homestead at Peaks Island, paying
$1,000 for it. Last year his entire tax, in
Guiding poll, was little over SIS; this year
his tax Is $67. He has got only 500 revenue
out of the house, for it has been vacant ever
since he had it., except about six weeks.
Mr.. Edward l.. Parsons thought that some
OF the property holders at the island are
taxed too high. He owns seven acres of land
there. For three years he got 500 year
from it; the last two years he has got $40 a
year for it. There are five small cottages on
the land. His tax is $50 more than it was
last year. No improvements have been made
on The property the past year.
Mr.. w. A. Sterling said that last year he
the very same property.
Mr. Henry Trefethen added tu his former
statement that the assessors did not go over
the land on the island and do not know what
is swamp land and what is not. He has two
swamp lots, each containing 1927 feet. The
two together are not worth over $25, yet
they are taxed on valuation of 500 EACH
de said Mrs. Ennis has a one acre lOt, wholly
pasture land, which has been valued at $500.
Her house is valued at $500. 1t stands on
leased land, for which she pays $50 year
and the building would not sell for 500,
since 1t is In very poor condition, hardly
holding itself together
Mr.. Luther E: Skillings spoke in behalf of
Mrs. Nancy Skllllngs. She owns ten acre
lot on the Woodbury. farm and other small
lots. her taxes this year have been doubled
over last year.
Mr.. James B. Jones spoke at some length
on the disadvantages which the islanders
labor under: Building costs ten per cent
dollar more ton. Physicians charge from
81 to $40 to 90 down there. They have poor
schools, not graded. Not having city priv
ileges they should not pay the. city rate Of
ployed in the city it costs him S. month to
90 back and forth. The present rate of taxes
is going to annihilate business on the island
The city is taxing US to pay railroad bonds
which we voted against. He wanted re-
adjustment and an equalization of taxes.
Some Of his neighbors pay less and some
more than than they. ought. The Union
House property has been taxed out of all
proportion. That half acre is taxed $3.50,
while the seven or eight acre strip next to it.
going right through the settled part of the
island pays just about the same amount. His
own taxes have been increased about one
third this year. He will not.pay such taxes.
He will rather let the city sell him out and
he will then go to Sioux Falls and see if he
can't get the advantages that are denied him
in Mainn
Mr.. Trefethen spoke again and called at
tention to the new hall. Two years ago they
paid $75 for lot 50x60 feet. The first year
It was taxed on 800, but Mr.. Galley got the
| gagged and the whole income from 1t has been
only $156. 1t is taxed on $1,000. He thought
the city ought not not to tax it so heavily.
Mr.. John 7. Sterling said that some prop
| erty which his wife bought of her uncle Is
| not, worth what it is taxed for. lie found no
fault with the tax on his house, but his
fathers property had been taxed way up, so
that this year his taxes are great burden to
him.
Mr.. Trefethen made the closing statement
He has lots on Diamond Island which are
taxed for more than they cost. The city
does not lay out a cent on that island. 1t Is
the same on House Island. He has to pay
taxes without getting any benefit He said
| the residents of House Island have no right
| to land on Peaks Island to go to school,
| without trespassng. He remembered the
| time when he fought his way to school, be-
| ing refused the right of way by man armed
with knife. Day after day he fought his
way to school, with the help of other boys.
| He thought the assessors honest, but they
| have erred in judgment. The number of
buildings on Peaks Island is now 387, an in
crease of 800 in the past 10 years. This
growth could never have been accomplished
If the present rate of taxation had been in
force. 1t is not for the interest of the city to
tax Peaks Island too heavily.
The committee will make up their report
and submit it to the next meeting of the city
council. The council will then make any
recommendations they see fit.