Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-07-07
POLICE, WATER AND TAXATION.

For a Hydraulic Engineer.
Many matters of importance came up
for action before the board of aldermen
last night.
Upon recommendation of the road
board the following petitions were
street, crosswalk on Grove street, cross
walk on East Main street at Wall, lay
out of Edward street, building lines on
North Willow street, crosswalk on
Grand street at Canal, widening of
French street and the lay ing of side
walks on same, grading of Lawrence
street and laying sidewalks on same, to
erect culvert in North Main street at
an estimated expense of $3,210. The
board was authorized to condemn the
right of way through the property of
Samuel Murfield, should the negotia-
tions fall through. The road board was
authorized to report layouts of French,
Gilbert and Ann streets. The board
voted that Bank street be widened at
the New England railroad crossing. A
number of petitioners were given leave
to withdraw.
Upon recommendation of the sewer
board it was voted to build sewers as
follows: In William street, at an esti-
mated expense of 81 $50; in Vine street
from Cherry to Wood, estimate So
OBS. 30, and that the property owners on
| North street be allowed to build
sewer there at their own expense. The
| road board also gave notice that they
had let the contract for the sewer in
Ward street to Edward McManus for
1862.
In the matter of appointing six addi-
tional patrolmen, Alderman Reilly
stated that several growing sections of
the city are entirely without police
protection and the need of the extra
men was imperative. The recommenda-
ton of the police board was unani-
mously adopted.
On the recommendation of the board
of finance $4,000 was appropriated to re-
deem water bonds, second series, due
July 1, 1891.
The fire board reported in the matter
of new lot in the northern part of the
city. They reported one at the corner
of North Main and Burton streets. cost
$4,000; one at the corner of North Main
and Hill streets, known as Chatields
quarry, cost 81 900; and another on Bur
ton street near the corner of Beacon,
cost 1000. The board authorized the
fire board to purchase the property on
Burton street and appropriated $4,000
for that purpose.
Alderman Guernsey, who represents
the upper board upon the committee ap.
pointed to secure the services of an ex.
perienced hydraulic engineer to look
into the matter of an additional water
supply, reported that it will cost in the
neighborhood of Sc, 900 to have the work
done by thoroughly competent engi
neer. 1t will take from four to sI1
months to complete the work. He asked
for an appropriation of $4,000.
Alderman Cross thought the amount
was altogether too large. Alderman
Reilly considered that it would bt
money well spent. He said that the ex
| penditure of $4,000 or $4,000 at thi
time might save the city many time
that amount in the future. Alderman
Webster believed that it was useless
expenditure. He said that by going t.
Quassagaug or Hop brook at this tins
anyone could see that no water of an,
account is running at either place
, while if you go to the supplies in tn
| eastern section they will find al
abundance. Mayor Baldwin favored
: making the appropriation, his views be
ing the same as Alderman Reilly's.
} A yea and nay vote resulted as fol
lows: Yeas, Reilly and Guernsey; nays
Vail, Cross, Martin, Webster AM
S Thompson.
The following communication iron
t Mayor Baldwin was then read:
; To the Honorable Court of Common
Council:
q l desire to call your attention to
= matter that demands your immediat
action. beg of you not to pass it b.
lightly nor to delay the work; but t
give it your serious attention. l refe
to our high state of taxation which
t often spoken of as SO excessive as to a.
most prevent new industries fror
s springing up in our midst and certainl
e is burden on all men who list thei
property honestly. take the liberty t
h suggest a remedy and ask your heart
e and earnest cooperation in applying il
e The grand list of Waterbury in 1877 wa
e So, S33, 316; the grand list of 1890 SO 1903
t $50, an increase of only $2,370, 541 an
: yet our population has more tina
= doubled as well as our rate of taxation
s These years have been the most prosper
e Gus in our history and yet the grand lis
has only increased S2,370, 541. Ne,
# Haven has list of $50 200, 900; so hs
a Hartford. Bridgeport has S25, 10000
# and even Norwich has $14 ,00O, 900 Will
we do not reach $40, 000, 900.
q Does any one think that this ough
l. not to be changed? When we paid
h state tax there was some excuse, poss
v bly,, to keep down our list and to col
. ceal our wealth, but that is now a thin
v of the past and the time is come for L
# to make an inventory. We are not
q close corporation making lot of none
q and having a few stockholders whol
e we wish to keep ignorant of our re;
J. condition, SO that we can purchase the
z stock when they are no longer able I
n wait for the actual truth to dawn upo
! them; but we are a large concern wit
# necessary expenses every year of ovt
n $500, 900 and each man ought to pay ;
d nearly as possible his proportion, 4
more, no less, of these necessary e.
,e penses. To get at his share commo
(, fairness ought to urge US to find OF
ID just what proportion each taxpayer h;
l. got and to do this a re-assessment of tt
property is of vital Importance.
know this whole question is a con
plicated one. l do not pretend to ar
, expert knowledge of it, but I do kno
Il that our rate is too high; that a gre
IN deal of property is not listed at all; TIL
y there are many inequalities that a
er very difficult to smooth over, and tn
IS, these cannot be corrected by three me
re elected each year who only have a fe
OF days in which to do their work ar
40 hand in their report. To overcome til
IN suggest that you appoint commit