Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-05-25

JhcOD MutieEs SHiitu WOFk...... 4
There was considerable discussion as t,
the proposed ordinance, paving, curb q,
and gathering Broad street, which was dis
posed of by ordering the drafting of suci
an ordinance and reporting same ID mex
meeting.
Police salaries for May were paid.
Residents on Penn street, by petition
asked for crossing on Penn at SpriDg
street. Referred to the Street committe,
with power to act
Stanley Bros notified Council that they
had gone to the expense of bonds in tht
matter of the proposed contract for paving
and unless they could have same Cancelled
without expense, they would ask Council
to pay the cost of the bond The communi
cation was received and filed
Solicitor Watkins made the following
report in the Hudson Tax matter
WOODBURY., N. J Nav Doth 1899
D. r. Mathers. City Clerk. Woodbury. N J.
DEAR SRI beg to report that in pur
suance of the instructions | received from
City Council, l began proceedings at law
for the recovery of certain lands and pre-
misses on German street. in this City, owned
by Samuel NJ Hudson, and upon which the
taxes for the year 1895 are unpaid, and
which were purchased by this City, under
sale for said unpaid taxes.
This case has been heard and determined
by the Gloucester County Circuit Court and
decided adversely to the City's claim, upon
the ground that the City had charged 8
higher rate of interest, to wit /; II per cent.
upon the unpaid tax, than is allowed By
law.
I am satisfied that an appeal from thil
decision would be of no avail and that the
verdict is entirely proper in accordance
with the law, and of course it means that
all sales of lands for taxes, heretofore made
by the City, for unpaid taxes, upon which
u per cent. interest has been charged, will
be held to be INVALID and of no force and
effect.
The question now is, how to correct what
otherwise may prove to be serious loss to
the City. The lien of the unpaid taxes is still
in force. have given careful study and at
tention to the Tax law of 1886 known as
:" The Martin Act" the provisions of which
when once applied to our City, will be
found to prove of great advantage. Other
cities and municipalities, which have been
placed in the same predicament we now
find ours. have been compelled to resort to
this Act for relief, and I would respectfully
suggest that the Finance Committee OF
Council, name time and place, when and
where / can meet them and explain to them
the workings of the act above, that they
may present the plan to Council with such
recommendation as they may deem proper
| feel it my duty to impress upon City
Council the necessity for the adoption of
this method, and at once, in order to adjust
and collect all its back taxes, as well as to
provide safe and sure method for the col
lection of future assessments, without the
uncertainty and delay of its present method
| enclose you a certified rule for iudg-
ment in the proceedings brought by the
City vs. Hudson, in order that you may
have the opinion of the Circuit Court
Judge before you.
Awaiting your instructions, 1 am,
Yours respecy,
DAVID o WATKINS
City Solicitor
The report was received and filed.
Mr.. Watkins supplemented his commune
cation by the statement that the tax sales
of the past were all Illegal as II per cent.
had been the uniform rate OF interest
charged, yet the tax was still lein on the
property. He recommended proceeding
under the Martin act in the future, because
that was the only method to proceed with
tnoroughness. Under it, sales for taxes
made complete conveyance, and deeds in
fee simple were valid Many munici.
palities had been forced to act under this
law, and the time seemed to have arrived
when Woodbury. must act under it. He
therefore asked an early conference with
the Finance committee, that the necessary
steps NAV be taken at once.
Chas. Walton and Jos. J. Summeriil,
Esq were elected to fill vacancies in the
B ard OF Health
Mr.. Batten reported having placed lamps
on Harrison and Hopkins streets
Ia the matter Of the city owning horses
to do sprinkling, teaming and fire service
Mr.. Best suggested that the committees in
vestigate the feasibility of the city con-
tracing with owners of horses and wagons,
and secure the service by contract rather
than by purchase.
Adj.