Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-24
ASSESSORS MADE TROUBLE.
Relief Board To-day Listening to
 Paints of Property Owners.

A Bucks Hill Property Owner Talked
 Right Out to the Board-Mr Tyler
 Agreed to Sell His Peach Crop for
 $1OO.
 Yesterday an item appeared in the Democrat stating that the board ot relief would be in session all day to- day and this evening until o'clock, with the exception of a few hours off for dinner and another short vacation from 5 in the afternoon to 2 in the evening. The statement was correct so far as it pertained to the board be- ing in session, but judging by the looks of things at noon to-day 1t was wide of the mark so far as the time the mem- bers would have off. Just as the whistles were blowing, the full board, Messrs Siefen, Healey and Bigger staff were hard at work and looked like men who realized that they were in for long fast, for there was almost enough present to be heard to occupy their attention for a good portion of the day. s~.
 William NJ. Tyler of Bucks Hill had the floor at noon and he talked to the board like man who felt that he had real grievance. He blamed the Hon George L. Lilley for the high rate of taxation he is paying and hoped he would set him right.
 "Mr Lilley," said the Bucks Hill farmer bringing his clenched fist down on the desk, coming within an ace of hitting B. W. Biggerstan on the nose, mad the assurance to say in Hart ford that he would buy a certain piece of my property for $3,OO0. I have of- fered it to him since for less than that and he promised to take it, but I have not seen the money yet. Am no judge of what my property Is worth2 Must 1 pay taxes on valuation fixed by MT Lilley? If MT Lilley or anybody else will give me $4O0 for the produce of my farm for the present year I'll put him in possession of everything 1t will yield from May to December That Bucks Hill property is listed at $S,00O. When you count the interest on that much money and the taxes you will see what there is in 1t for me-"
 In answer to question from MT Siefen as to what his crop of peaches would bring MT Tyler said $1Oo. "I utlNO o,VVV trees, ne continued, and 1T you think there Is money to be made out of them you can have the crop for $lOO. The fixing of values upon farm land Is all guess work and before a man Is competent to do that with fair ness to all parties he must necessarily know something about the business. Wild statements by man who wants to get measure through the legisla- ture should be taken for what they are worth. If George Lilley meant what he said in Hartford why doesn't he come forward with the cash. I ask this board to visit my place and see for themselves"
 The board promised to comply with MT Tyler's request, MT Biggerstaff re- marking that if all the deductions peo- pie want should be made a special tax will have to be levied to meet current expenses. The board claims that the law does not give them time enough to inquire into the merits of all the complaints laid before them, and nc doubt this is true. It would take g couple of months to attend to what they have to get through with in few weeks 2
 The board will be pretty well uset up by this evening and people who have not called will find it an oppor tune time to call upon them.