Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1914-10-21
TWO ASSESSORS GET
PROPERTY So AS To
CONFORM WITH LAW
City Attorney Holds That As
sessments Confirmed Up to
Sixty Days Ago are Legal as
Assessors Now FTeehOIders.

When it was learned yesterday
that Math Weirup and Thomas j.
Cononrs, two of the com missioners
of assessment for street improve
ments, were not property owners
here and were therefor held to be in
eligible for service, they immediately
purchased small tracts of land in
Compton avenue. The question was
raised by Alderman William G. Will
son, following a discussion at a
council meeting, which involved the
ability of the commissioners, of
whom there are three, Henry McCul-
Tough being one. A new question has
since arisen, which concerns the va
lidity by these men. City Attorney
Hommann holds that assessments
confirmed up to sixty days ago are
legal, provided no notice has been
given to certiorari the proceedings.
One of the aldermen contends that
all of the work of these commits
sioners was invalid because they did
not own property in the city.
1t was stated at the Office of the
collector of revenue today that Mr..
Weirup and Mr.. Connors had pur-
chased property yesterday. Claim
was made that these commissioners
owned property out of the city ano
that they were of the impression that
it was not necessary for them to be
freeholders in the city. 1t was de-
clared with a certainty at the office
of the collector of revenue that the
men were freeholders, as deeds for
af ho1
The city attorney maintained that
SO long as proceedings had not yet
been started to certiorari work done,
that accomplished up to six days ago
could stand as valid. He held that
the law specified that action to certi-
orari had to be started within sixty
days after confirmation of an as
sessment. The official maintained it
would probably not be difficult
task to remedy conditions, as when
the commissioners had acquired
property in the city, the Board of AL
dermen could re-appoint them and
work on all assessments accom-
plished during the past sixty days
could be done over again. This ac-
ton, he declared was simple, it be-
ing but necessary to re-advertise and
have the papers sent over the usual
course
Mr. Wilson raised the question of
eligibility at the regular council
meeting Monday night. He was sup
ported by other aldermen in the con-
tention that the state of affairs was
serious and required immediate at
tention. A motion was accordingly
passed to refer the subject to the
committee on taxation of the Board
of Aldermen for investigation. 1t
was understood that the committee
would investigate Immediately and
report at the next council meeting.
While the investigation was In prog
ress, it is declared, Messrs. Connors
and Weirup decided to fortify them
selves and acquired land In Comp
ton avenue. This act, 1t is held, will
make them eligible to serve after
they have been reappointed. The be-
lief rests with Mr.. Wilson and other
Republicans that the work of these
commissioners can be upset, upon the
contention that it is invalid. Mr..
Wilson reiterated his statements to-
day concerning alleged inefficiency OF
the commissioners and he displayed
documentary evidence to prove his
claims. The way in which the com
missioners had assessed in one IN
stance was held to be lawful"
1t is believed that the commission
ers will not proceed with the re-as-
sessment of the Miller and William
street sewer extension until after 1t
has been ascertained definitely that
they are eligible to serve. AS told,
the work will be reviewed and an
assessment made over again, in an
effort to reduce the assessments per
lot.
While members of the taxation
committee were investigating and
two of the commissioners of assess
ment we're hurrying to acquire prop
ertv. Mr.. Wilson was arranging for
an extens. We search of records in the
county clerks Office at New Bruins
wick. Alfred s. March directed
search there over period OF nine
teen years. 1t was found that no
deeds had been recorded in that time
to show that either Mr.. Weirup or
Mr.. Connors owned property any
where. Mr.. Wilson's search extended
to the tax collectors Office, where it
was stated there was no record to /,
show that they owned property.
Relative to the search, Mr.. HON. |
mann stated that the men might be
freeholders without there being any
thing on the record at New Bruins
wick to show it, as they might have
been willed property or might have
purchased some and failed to nave
deeds recorded.